The Tupelo journal., 1904-04-08
SIX WERE KILLED
IN AN EXPLOSION
Squib Factory at Priceburg, Pa.
Blown to Atoms.
STREETSSTREWN WITH BODIES
without Any Warming Whatever
the Entire Building Was De-
moIished by the Explosion
Cause Not Ascertained.

Scranton, Pa, April six persons
were instantly killed Thursday morn
ing by a terrific explosion in the Dick
son squib factory, four miles from
Scranton.
The bodies of two of the unfortunate
girls employed in the factory were
found in a horribly mangled condition
two blocks from the scene Of the dis
aster.
Without any warning whatever the
entire building was demolished by the
explosion, which could be heard for
miles around.
Those who were employed in the i'm
mediate portion of the building where
the explosion was the most severe
we're killed instantly, and dozens OF
others were seriously hurt by flying
timbers and falling walls. The cause
of the explosion has not been ascer-
tanned. The factory was filled with
explosives, and it is thought that a
match was dropped into a pile OF
squibs.
Great confusion prevails at Price
burg. All the hospitals are filled with
the wounded.
Fragments of human bodies are
strewn upon the. street, and the sight
is most sickening.
Thrown High In Air.
Some of the girls employed in the
factory were thrown many feet in the
air, and then fell with great force hun
dreds of feet away.
Those who were not killed or in
jured by the explosion fled from the
place, panic stricken.
All of the physicians in Priecbure
volunteered their services to aid the
injured.
This is one of the most disastrous
explosions ever known in this part OF
the country.
The management Of the factory
thought that due precautions had been
taken to prevent fire from reaching
II of the explosives used in the manu-
facture of squibs, and are at a loss tc
account for the disaster of Thursday
morning.
A squib factory is a place where
small fuses are made to explode
charges in coal mines.
The greatest excitement ever caused
in the borough exists, and heartrend-
ing scenes are witnessed on every
hand.
Only Two Escaped.
Distracted mothers and other rela-
tives of thedeadlittle workers are heard
wailing through the streets, inquirine
for the fate of their children. 1t is
thought that only two of the Is or more
girls employed in the factory escaped
uninjured.
On family named Callahan, composed
of father, mother and three children
living in an upstairs part of the de-
molished building, were all killed. Two
of the dead girls were blown out of g
window, and their remains picked uF
so yards away.
Cause Not known
The cause of the explosion is not yet
known. When the shock came the
whole borough was shaken, and win
dows broken in nearly every building
Soon after the explosion flames shot
from the ruins, and the cries of the dy-
ing and wounded could be heard in the
debris. Many of the girls on the lower
floors rushed out, their hair and cloth
ing af1ame.
The fire alarm was sounded, and
hurry calls were sent to the local drug
stores and the physicians of the bo-
rough, who administered to the suf.
fering girls. The fire was o o under
control, and shortly after IL O'Clock
the first bodies were taken out. The
work of searching for other bodies is
still going on.