Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1905-01-27

open. 1t is impossible to enumerate
the many incidents Of the results Of the
explosion.
The cause OF the explosion may
never be fully known Some say it
was natural gas and others say it was
sewer gas. Still others claim ii was
both; that there was a leak in the nat
ural gas main, and the gas got into the
sewer causing an explosion. The gas
company put force of men, 10 work,
Monday morning, and the gas main at
the corner of Fourth avenue and Oak
street was uncovered, where a leak
was discovered. The leak in the gas
main was caused by the contraction Of
the pipes during the recent cold weather,
the force of the contraction pulling The
pipe from the plug at the corner, where
the mains from four different directions
meet. A subsequent explosion which
occurred beneath the crossing between
the Citizens State Bank and the Fourth
Avenue hotel showed where the leak
was.
Some very queer things happened
in few seconds; for instance, when
Harry DERRICK and wife were aroused,
they lost no time in trying to get out.
Harry knew where he had placed his
clothes, so he made a dive for them
and got them or, rather, he got some
clothes and put them on; but when he
got to the laundry, across the street,
he found that they we're not his clothes
at ALL and upon investigation, he found
that he had on Ed Stewards clothes.
They had been blown from Eds room
in tine flashing building into Dedricks
bedroom, which was next to the Odd |
Fellows building, and there was a va
cant space Of several feet between the
two buildings. Harry afterward found |
his own clothes.
Judge Trigg slept in a room in the Odd |
Fellows building. He didn't near the
explosion and he didn't hear the fire bell,
but the people kept up such constant
noise that he finally aroused. got out of
bed. dressed himself, deliberately lit a
cigar and went down stairs to see what
was the matter, Gabriel will have to
toot his horn pretty loud if he awakes
the Judge.
\ slight explosion took place in the
Fas ing cellar duting the day, Sunday.
and goods zcd hole was torn in the
,ellar wall Whatever caused this cx
Dlosion was doubtless the cause at the
explosion which wrought such havoc at
midnight.
Walter Hunts grocery store looked I
ike a perfect wreck, and nobody thought
nc would save anyth ng, but he had
orcc of men at work early Monday
and n large amount OF the
goods were saved. More will be saved
vet. Walter moved his goods to Mel
Whites building on the south side, and
s again doing business.
Blum & Morris saved nothing ont OF
he wreck except their pluck and perse-
serance. They Immediately went to
work to resume business. and are now
coated in the Odd Fellows building,
back of the Citizens State Bank,
M. L. White owned the building occu.
1icd by Walter Hunt and Harry Ded-
-ick and wife, lie will rebuild as soon
IS spring opens.
1t is thought that Mrsl Ellen blun,
who owned the building occupied by
Blum & Morris, will rebuild some time
lext summer
Nothing is known vel whether the
flashing building will he rebuilt or not,
out we learn that John flashing says
he will engage in business here as soon
as possible. He is good baker, and it
S hoped he will 90 into business.
The funeral of l. W flashing will take
place, Sunday afternoon, from the Con-