Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-22
HE HELD HIMSELF UP
By RAILING PLATFORM
Lieut.. Hawes Beats Out Sparks
Threatening Powder.
USES ONLY HIS BARE HANDS
Sergt. Brinkley and Corp. Humph-
reys, Although Wounded, Give
Immediate Help to Their
Helpless Comrades. 3

stories OF valor and sacrifice under suf-
fering were detailed to Gen. Wood. chief
OF stan, and other officials of the War
department today upon the return to
Washington of the officers who YESTERDAY
witnessed the fatal accident in the first
minutes of battle practice at Fort Mon
roe which resulted in eleven deaths.
These personal reports were augmented
by further telegraphic reports from Col
c. p. Townsley, commandant Of the post
Conspicuous in the group of those
whose conduct brought attention to them
was Lieut.. Van Deusen, who had his
leg broken by the body Of one of his men
being hurled against him. He was the
timekeeper.
Report Tells Of Heroic Deed.
Following is the text OF Col. townships
report:
Reference accident at target practice,
following further particulars are reported:
Accident due to premature discharge of
gun number one, Battery De Russy,
breech block blown to rear, discharge
occurring before rotation of block had be-
gun. Capt James Prentice in command
Of battery; Lieut. G. p. Hawes in charge
of emplacement; Lieut.. G. l.. Van Deusen
timekeeper.
Discipline at battery after accident ex-
cellent. Sergt. Brinkley. gun pointer:
Corp Humphreys. range setter, and other
enlisted men at gun, although shocked
severely and injured slightly, rendered
immediate aid under supervision of on
GERS to those who were severely injured
or mortally wounded.
omcers Show Mettle.
Lieut.. Van Deusen, struck by a frag-
ment which broke his leg and slightly
burned by gases. supported himself on
railing Of platform and directed assist-
ance which was offered him to others In
vicinity, some Of whom were lying help
less, with burning powder grains in their
clothing. Lieut.. Hawes extinguished with
his bare hands burning material that
threatened to ignite the second powder
charge which was on its way to the am
placement.
THE safety devices on the gun are in
tended to render an accident OF this kind
impossible. The detachment was excep-
tionally we'll trained and expert"
Following the receipt Of these reports
Gen. Wood sent a telegram to Fort Mon
roe expressing his sympathy with the be-
reaved and suffering and his appreciation
of the excellent conduct of the officers
and enlisted men.
Cause Not Yet Known.
Until the receipt of the full official re-
port of the investigating board. the exact
cause of the accident remains a question
Of some conjecture. Reports received at
the department are to the effect that the
board has completed taking testimony
and will soon submit it's findings.
Enough has been '---ned at the de-
partment to satisfy the officials that for
some reason there was a tension on the
lanyard. which resulted in an explosion
before the breech block had been rotated
into place. Ii is believed that for some
reason the safety devices on the gun, In
tended to make such an accident this
impossible, failed to work.
Col. Townsley has informed the Le-
partment that the detachment working
the gun which exploded was exceptionally
well trained and