New-York tribune., 1910-12-20
Two Explosions, Say. Whitman.

"It sounded to me like two distinct
explosions" he said. "At first thought
It was an earthquakes when I learned
what It was I hurried over TO the sta
ton. where during the time I remained
I talked with Police Commissioner Crop
sey, Chief Croker and Borough Presi-
dent McAneny, who were on the scene
almost as soon as was. we went over
the place together.
''I saw the train that had been brought
in by Seagrott was standing. There were
some pipes broken under the train, but
whether they were broken by the train
or by the explosion I cannot tell. On
this account and because there was no
prirna facie case against the rnoterrnan-
it seemed to me an injustice to hold him
responsible, and I recommended his pa
role in the custody Of Martin Giiligan, of
counsel for the New York Central. who
was ready if necessary to supply the
$4,000 bail fixed by the Coroner. Sea-
grott will be on hand if he is required
as a witness Under the circumstances,
Coroner Holtzhauser agreed with me
that this was all that was necessary, and
Seagrett was paroled."
He was taken to the Coroners Office,
in the Criminal Courts Building. where
he was met by Mr.. Gilligan and Arthur
Pelham West. resident vice president of
the National Surety Company. who was
prepared to sign the bail bond OF $4,000
for Seagrotts release, required by Cor
oner Holtzhauser.
President Brown of the New York
Central Railroad said last night that
Lieutenant-Colonel Beverly w Dunn, os
States Army. was making a thorough IN
vestigat1on of the cause of the accident
for the railroad. Colonel Dunn is an ex-
pert in explosives. He was on the scene
Of the explosion late yesterday afternoon
and will continue his Investigations to-
day.
All save one of the bodies of the VIC
tins of the explosion had been removed
from the East 5ist street police station
last night, where they were taken from
the scene Of the disaster and later identi-
fed. by relatives in most instances. The
one remaining body is that of a man,
evidently a laborer from his appearance
able to identify last night.
The suffering from the cold and shock
In the homes and apartment houses in
the vicinity OF the explosion which were
damaged was severe Deputy Police
Commissioner Driscoll had the chief
police surgeon and several of his assist
ants make a canvass of the streets af-
fected and relieve suffering wherever
they found ii. They found many pitiruI
cases among the poorer tenants in and
near Third avenue, and in several In
stances had young children and elderly
people who were without fires. In the
blocks where the windows had been
blown out, taken to the hospitals or
other institutions where they could no
cared for.
A morbid crowd kept the police busy
all day yesterday and until late last
night keeping them back of the police
lines. which had been formed and Affci
entity maintained two blocks away IN,
every direction from the corner where
the explosion occurred. A gang OF two
hundred laborers. employed by the rail-
road. worked by the aid OF several
large electric lights which had been in
stalled last night clearing away the huge
pile OF debris where the sub-station had
stood. Although the railroad eff,cials
were inclined to think last night that all
the men working abou, the sub-station
had been accounted for. every efyort was
being made TO hasten the removal Of
the debris IN case other bodies might be
found