The Washington times., 1904-04-08
Three Die Instantly at Pintsch,Works-One
Expires in Hospital From Burns Received
Trying to Save Companion.
CAUSE OF TERRIBLE ACCIDENT
MAY REMAIN TOTAL MYSTERY
Sole Survivor of Catastrophe Knows Little
Beyond Fact of Sudden Report Followed
by Fire-Inquest Tomorrow.

of by the force Of the explosion. and
the remainder of his body vas 50 badly
burned that pieces of flesh fell on as
* was lifted from the ground and placed
in the mOrgue wagon.
Henson's body was next found and
taken 10 the Office Of a nearby coal
dealer, in Water street. After the
mOrgue wagon made its first trip to the
morgue with the bodies OF Cumberland
and the unknown and unidentified negro.
who was found lying outside the plant,
the remains of Henson We're transferred
there.
Superintendent Reilly says it win take
s. U0O TO repair the damage. The build
ing was insured ana the company suffers
no loss
Thousands Visit Place.
When the explosion was hearC. thou
sands of per ms focked to tn scene
to sec the f. he ruined bu ding
All this morn fternOOn several
thousand person the place and
picked up piecs ing bui
from the -..-D who per-
ished. The police Of the Fourth pre-
cinct took charge of the plant and
roped 1t OF 20 keep the curious back
out Of the way Of the members OF the
day force who spent their time IN
clearing Up the debris instead of max
ing gas The plant was regarded Dy
railroad men and gas manufacturers
as the most dangerous place IN WASH
anyone 10 smoke or strike a Indtct
within the walls OF the building. and
there are more than a dozen no smok-
ing signs tackled on the inside and
outside Of the walls
No one knows hoY the gas escaped.
t5rigSbF > explanation before he died IS
an the police and Coroner have 10 90 on.
he said the gas got too high IRIS -
Interpreted as meaning that the pres
sure was more than the engine could
bear, and IL had 20 escape or get out as
a
10 force the gas into tanks after u was
made from the oil used at the works.
The publication plant on the second
floor was used Tor purifying and con-
densing the gas just after II Was made
and before IL was forced into the tanks.
HoTstman Says Little.
Horstman returned to his home in
Union Street. near NJ Street southwest.
about o'clock this morning When
seen he had little 10 say in regard to
the accident
THE gas got too high for the engine
! suppose. but the hrst l heard OF il was
when the explosion came. and we ran
out n see what was the matter and who
Y as hurt i think IL was something
akin TO a miracle that I was not killed
with the rest OF the boys. Grigsby
worked hard 10 save Cumberland, but
could not get him out and gave his own
life. It's q sad affair. and 1 guess the
works viii be crippled for some time.
After an Investigation. Coroner NeVitr
decided TO hold an inquest tomorrow
morning at II o'clock at the Sixth pre-
cinct
No arrangements have yet been made
Tor the funeral OF any of the men Cum
berland boarded at 4S0 Virginia Avenue.
He has n sister, Mrs. Orspada living at
IS Rhnde Island Avenue. northwest. but
she could not be seen this morning.
Chief Belts Repert.
In a report submitted 10 District Com
missioner Macfarland today on the e2-
plosion. Fire Chief Belt makes the fol-
lowing statement:
The department has responded on
several occasions TO fires in this plant
and IL has always been cOnsid dered as
extremely hazardous in case = fire.
The railroad companies WI ich have
{ been depending upon the Pr
Company for their supply OF
IN passenger ana express coz
not be seriously affected by
ings explosion Arrangements
7 ready been made EOr suppl
other places. which VIII cOntI
tect until the Pintsch work
CPeTation again.
Officials OF the Baltimore and
nOuEced this morning that
call on Baltimore for their
gas for the present They hay
or hand 20 stock their cars f
and after that runs out they
able to restOcS in Baltimore
/ The Pennsylvania has other
[ than the Pintsch Company. an
pates no trouble whatever
The SOuthren viii get its 81
| gas from Atlanta, Columbia, al
! tanooga for cars which run on
I line and as thew come into
! ton. the branch line cars viii
! supply from them.