Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-17
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MARTIAL LAW IN
WRECKED DISTRICT

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Fontanet. Ind, Oct. 16.-No reason
able theory has been advanced as the
cause for the terrible catastrophe
here yesterday when the Dupont pow
der mills, blew up, killing probably
thirty-f1ve and injuring 800 persons.
The most plausible Of the rumors In
circulation as to the cause was that
the machinery in the glazing mill be
came overheated from friction set
ting fire to some loose powder.
People Live In Tents.
a large portion of the inhabitants
slept on cots and in tents provided
by Governor Hanly last night. The
injured passed q fairly comfortable
( night and NO additional deaths were
reported
Systematic efforts Of search for
victims in the debris we're begun this
morning. The bodies Of those re-
covered will be buried today. The
total number Of dead may never be
known and it will be several days be-
fore the exact property loss can be
figured out.
The loss to the powder company i'll
property damage is estimated at
$3.50, 900. The property loss in the
town Of Fontanet will exceed half a
million.
Casualty List Compiled.
DR.. w. F. William of Terre Haute,
chief surgeon of tire Fontanet mills
and the Dupont powder company. to-
day compiled an official list Of the
casualties containing the names of
thirty-one dead and eighteen ss>fous.y
injured. 1t is believed that other
names will be added to the list of the
dead, increasing 1t to 35 or 40 as
several of the employees are known to
have been blown to pieces.
Martial law has been proclaimed
and the wreck strewn district, con
tanning four square miles, Is being
guarded, policed by state troops.
1t is reported today that the maga-
inc which blew up contained $4,000
pounds Of dynamite and in addition
$4,000 kegs Of powder.
Fire Follows Explosion.
After the explosions, which fol
lowed one another with frightful eff
feet. came fire, and what the one hor-
ror left undone, the other completed
Thus, many people who might have
been dragged from the ruins aud re
vived, were the victims of flames.
There were 100000 kegs of blasting
powder stored in the magazine and
every one blew up seemingly ut tie
same moment 1t was this detonation
that shook to pieces the homes and
stores and factories in Fontanet and
which brought death and injury tc
scores miles distant.
Immediately following the first de
tonation the inhabitants of the place
rushed out of their homes and scores
an dstarted for the mills. They saw in
the distance clouds of smoke and
fame. Hardly had these people began
the work of rescue before the other
explosions ensued and felled all aad
hurt many.
notwithstanding the impending Gar
ger the men and women of Fontanet
worked heroically. With frantic haste
thev rushed into the ruins that were
still unscathed bv fire and endeavoret
sjto suecor the dying.
Corpsss Snatched from Flames.
The dead in several instances were
snatched from the path of the flames
and in others the dying We're lifted
nut If the wreckage and allowed t.
breathe their last in the arms q
friends.
Although nearly every inhabitant o.
the town showed some trace Of the
catastrophe, only the ones worst af
facted were sent away. The othc-y
disregarded their. burns and tool
part in the rescne ork
After the first mill blew up tire en-,
ploves in the ntbcrs ran ont. seehins
safetv. Many IF them however, were
rnab'e to get far enough away beeer,
he second and third detnnations toal
,slace. to save themsalyes Broker
Ices and a,.-rs and Internal ininrie,
were their lrt Net few were kijlei
,lCcntin,1ed IN Iarn &