The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-20
Several Injured and Twelve
Missing in Powder Plant
Disaster.
WINDOWS SMASHED
FOR MILES AROUND
Physicians and Nurses Hurried
From Philadelphia on Spe-
Cial Train.

IBBSTOWN. y. j., Jan 20,-touE
Buildings of the great Du Point Powder
plant here were wrecked at 100 o'clock
This morning by an explosion in the
ammonia house of the plant. -Four men
we're seriously injured and twelve are
missing. 1t is feared that some of the
twelve have been killed.
The explosion carried for more than
a score Of miles through the earth with
the violence Of an earthquake.
IT frightened hundreds into Mysteries,
smashed every window I'm Gibbstown,
and for miles around. Efforts by the
fire company Of the plant kept the fire
that resulted from communicating to
The numerous buildings of the works.
Physicians and nurses were hurried
tn a special train to the scene Of the
disaster and the injured were taken to
Ehe Chester Hospital
Names of Injured.
The names Of those who are known
40 have been injured are.
Joel Bales, George Bates, John Brad
5ey. and Patrick kearney-
All these are seriously injured and
may die. They were hurled more than
twenty teet by the force of the explo-
shock. Officers OF the company EN-
ployed a Gordon of watchers around the
place Immediately after the explosion,
and no one was permitted TO enter or
leave the vast grounds except upon
presentation of a written permit issued
in the Gibbstovn headquarters of the
corporation.
No Others Damaged.
So far as mas been ascertained no
others OF the numerous houses Of the
plant was damaged by the explosion.
These are scattered about a half mile
intervals, and are banked with earth
On three sides to prevent any further
damage resulting from explosions that
may follow
The shock came soon after the :
O clock shift went TO work. Men were
in or around all the houses. Compare
lively all Of the men were al their posts
and 10 is feared that some OF the twelve
men are dead
The cause of the explosion has not
been ascertained. Officers OF the com
pauy have ordered an Investigation.
and this viii be concluded by experts
This afternoon.
Thought It Earthquake.
Thoughts Of the recent italian earth
quake new 10 minus tA lre4tlfllLE DA TIC
downtown section Of Philadelphia. and
men at work ON nigh buildings in the
center of the city, when the mighty de-
tonatiou at .Gibbstown rumbled through
the earth beneath the bed of the Della
ware river, and bade fair to shake a
portion of Philadelphia from its fouu-
dati0ns.
Within q few second scenes OF hys-
fericaI fear were occurring in homes
auG on the streets where before had
been quiet family groups at breakfast.
In the excited, frightened minds OF
thousands. the italian catastrophe was
about To be repeated and possibly wipe
Philadelphia from the map
Panic Among Italians.
IT, the Italian quarter was This Illusion
Enost prevalent. and frightened women,
CarTEi1E babies In their arms and with
other children clinEiug To their skirts.
rushed hitheT and thitHer, mp and down
Bainbridges Carpenter. and Christian
streets
Policemen on their beats noted that a
panic was inevitable and quickly
phoued messages brought reserve forces
from the Seventh and Carpeuter and
Second and Christian streets stations
The policeman VINO had received news
eff the explosion at their respective sta
iious, finally impressed on the frantic
italians the fact that there vas no
earthquake