Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-01
Six Injured Beyond ReCOv-
cry, According to Report of
Physicians; Property Loss
Insignificant.
SPARK FROM HORSES
H0OF PROBABLE CAUSE
Men in Building Literally Dis
membered by Blast; ShredS
Of Bodies Left Hanging on
Trees.


Wilmington, Del, NOV 30.-Thirty-
one men were killed ana six fatal
ly injured loGay in a terrific cxplo-
sion of four tons of black powder at
the Uppor Hagley yard Of the Du
Pont Powder company II was the
worst accident that has occurred in
any Of the company's plants in quar-
ter OF "A cenury
II cause of the blast is not known.
Acef hing to statement ISSUED by
he Fampany the origin will probably
ar remain a mystery Neverthe-
ie most severe investigation has
3 II instituted by The officials Of the
company and every employe who was
noar W ualdna has was blown
pieces Will be pm through thorough
examination In the hope that some
clcw as to the cause might be learned.
There was the usual rumor afloat
that some outside agency may haze
caused the explosion but Du Pont Of
ticials said tonight there was not a
shred OF evidence upon which TO hang
any theory.
Victims Mostly Young Men.
Nearly all the victims OF the blast
We're young men between sixteen and
and twenty years old The great
er number of them lived in and about
Wilmington
The explosion occurred in a packing
house where black powder pellets are
prepared for shipment. These pellets
are used for rifles and other purposes.
much of the powder, if not all being
shipped to the wawing nations. The
packing house was situated in a valley
along the historic Brandywine creek
and was one Of large group of small
buildings which make up the upper
Haeey plant of the Du Pont company
about three miles northwest of the
city
Last Explosion Terrific.
It was 1880 o'clock when II slisht
explosion was heard i'm the neighbor-
hood followed by another one but a
trifle heavier. which was quickly sue
ceeded by terrific blast that not only
rocked the whole valley, but shoow
and startled Wilmington WorlSmen
ran from every building ana shack in
the wide area which the company's
plant covers A great column OF
smoke arore from the spot whore the
packing house stood and when the
cloud disappeared there was only a
big hole in the ground.
4 an
dous blast said the scene was one of
horror From every tree left stand -
ing IN the neighborhood there were
hanging either pieces Of flesh or parts
Of clothing worn by the unfortunate
men.
Men Blown 20 Shreds.
TWcnty-siX men were in the pack
ing house when the powder went of
and not enough of any Of them was
left for Identification with the eXcep-
ton of Allan A. ThaXter, the foreman
whose home is given as Portland, Me-
lie was torn 10 pieces and part OF
ms body was found hanging on tree
across the creek.
-Four of the thirty men killed were
blown to pieces while at work outside
me packing house.
The pellet packing house was a one
story frame building, eighteen by
twenty feet, and was divided into six
rooms. Not a single part of il was
70 be found Nearby buildings We're
BADLY damaged. A fence was blown
away and telegraph and telephone
wires which were strung near the
scene Of the explosion were ripped
rom their fastenings.
Company officials said there were
ancut 5000 pounds Of powder in the
backing house at the time The prop
efly loss. Du Pont officials said, was
small.
Injured Likely 60 Die.
The men injured were outside the
isaht They were struck by bits Of
machinery. flying boards, rocks or
elher debris. one or two had eyes
blown out and several lost an arm or
eg Physicians stated they were SO
aadlY injured that not one of them is
fNpected to survive.
One theory advanced by workmen
= the yard was that the explosion