The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-19
LET DYNAMITE FALL.
Explosion at Pinar Del Rio Due to an
Accident.

Havana, May 19.-UntiI the ruins
have been more thoroughly examined
it will not be known positively how
many lives were lost when the Rural
Guards barracks in the city of Pinar
Del Rio was demolished by an explo-
sion of dynamite.
There is reason, however. to be-
lieve the fatalities did not exceed so.
The wounded will number more than
100.
1t is almost certain the explosion
resulted from the accidental fall of a
case of dynamite from the hands of
an employe of the public works de-
partment, who, with others, was en-
gagged in loading on wagons ~ cases
of the explosive which were to be
transferred from the barracks to the
government magazine in the city.
Many injured are believed to be
still penned under the debris. Work
of extricating the victims was con-
tinued throughout the night by torch
light. Among the bodies recovered
were those of Captain Alfredo Ra-
vena of the Rural Guards, his wife
and three children. With the eXcep-
ton of a daughter. Graceilla, the
whole family persisted with the de-
struction of their home.
The body of Lieutenant Diego of the
Rural Guards and those of a score of
privates also have been recovered.
Many wounded guards have been
rescued from the ruins.
Andrea. the daughter of E. Gomis,
the Spanish consul at Pinar Del Rio,
lieved she was killed. Senior Legree,
engineer of the province, also is
thought to be among the dead.
The quantity of dynamite exploded
was nearly three tons. The buildings
destroyed were massive structures.
The government wireless station was
shaken to pieces.
The explosion caused great terror
among the inhabitants. many of whom
thought the disaster was caused by
the approach of Halley's comet and
that it was a precursor of a still
greater catastrophe.
This morning % bodies have been
recovered and 40 injured persons have
been taken to the hospitals.
The barracks was a massive Struc-
ture of Spanish architecture and was
situated on an elevation just outside
the city to the north. Near the main
building was a long row of officers
quarters. The barracks was occupied
by four troops of rural cavalry and
employees of the public works depart
ment. During a recent alarm over
the alleged activities of conspirators
the government ordered all the dyna-
mite in the possession of contractors
removed to the barrackc.
Recently it was decided to transfer
the explosive to Havana, and the work
of moving it was begun yesterday
afternoon.
The work was proceeding when an
explosion, quickly followed by an
other of greater intensity. occurred.
The workmen, the only witnesses of
the accident. were blown to pieces. At
the first explosion the barracks build
ing was shaken to its foundation and
the nearby officers quarters tottered.
At the second explosion the walls of
all the buildings crumbled, burying
those whom they had contained.
At the same moment a shower OF
broken bits of masonry rose and fell
on the northern part of the city. Many
of the Rural Guards as we'll as of the
public works employees were killed in
stantly.
General Monteagudo, commander of
the Rural Guards, has gone to Pinar
Del Rio, to aid in the work of rescue
and the care of the survivors.