Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-01
30 Men Killed by
 Powder Explosion
IN YARD OF DU POINT CO,
 NEAR WILMINGTON
CAUSE IS NOT KNOWN
Blast Occurred in Packing House Only Big Hole Left in the Ground Where the House Stood-ExpIosion Rocked the Whole Valley.

Wilmington, Del, Nov. 30.-Thirty workmen were killed and seven fatally injured today in a terrific explosion of about four tons of black powder at the Powder company. It was the worst accident that has occurred in any of the company's plants in a quarter of a century.
 Cause of Blast a Mystery.
 The cause of the blast is not known. According to a statement issued by the company, the origin will probably always remain a mystery" Neverthe- less, most searching investigation has been instituted by the officials of the company, and every employe who was near the building that was blown to pieces will be put through a thorough examination in the hope that some clue as to the cause might be learned
 No Outside Agency.
 There was the usual rumor afloat that some outside agency may have cials said tonight there was not a shred of evidence upon which to hang any theory.
 List of Killed.
 Following is the list of killed as given out by the company: James Baird, Benjamin Barber, Marge Bri- cotti, Elmer Compton, James Egner. Harry Elliott, Elmer Fox, Norman Fisher, James Gemmill, Nelson Hogate, James Haber Fred Jeffrey, Battle Kel- leher, Edward King, James Malloy, Bryan O'Connor, Harry Place, Gimi Wesley Simpson, B. Springfield, Allan A. Thaxter, Leslie Timmons, W. Vein, Elmer Mace, Patrick Hanrahan, Clar- ence Pleaston, William Oliver, one man name not known.
 The injured: Lewis Walker, Edward TlaW LLT Oliver. J. R. Meredith and one em- ploye not yet identified.
 Nearly All Young Men.
 Nearly all the victims of the blast were young men between Is and Fl years of age. The greater number of them lived in and about Wilmington.
 The explosion occurred in a packing house where black powder pellets gre prepared for shipment. These pellets are used for rifles and other purposes much of the powder, if not all being shipped to the warning nations. The packing house was situated in a valley along the historic Brandywine creek and was one of a large group of small buildings which make up the upper Hagley plant of the du Pont company about three miles northwest of the city.
 Shook and Startled Wilmington. It was 1.30 o'clock when a slight ex- plosion was heard in the neighborhood followed by another one a trifle heavier which was quickly succeeded by a ter rife blast that not only rocked the whole valley but shook and startled Wilmington. Workmen ran from ev- cry building and shack in the wide area which the company's plant covers A great column of smoke rose iron | the spot where the packing house | stood, and when the cloud disappeared ] there was only a big hole left in the ground.
 Scene Was One of Horror. Workmen who survived the tremen. | dous blast said the scene was one o1 ! horror. TwentysiX men were in the 1 packing house when the powder wen off, and not enough of any of then was left for identification with the ex. 1 ception of Allan 4. Thaxter, the fore. | man, whose home Is given as Portland | Me.
 Four Men Blown to Pieces. | Four of the thirty men killed wer, blown to pieces while at work outsid, the packing house.
 | The pellet packing house was a one l story frame building IS by 20 feet anC was divided into six rooms. Not | single part of it was to be found Nearby buildings were badly damaged | A fence was blown away and telegraph and telephone wires which were strung near the scene or the eAplOSlOn Wer' | ripped from their fastenings. Compan! | officials said there were about 500 | pounds of powder in the packing hous, at the time. The property loss, al Pont officials said, was small.
 Men Injured Were Outside the Plant
 The men injured were outside tn plant. They were struck by bits O | machinery, flying boards, rocks ant l other debris, and all were badly mutt lated. They were rushed to hospital | in this city. One or two had eye blown out and several lost an arm O leg. Physicians stated they were S badly injured that not one of them i expected to survive. Davis and Walk CT, two of the injured, were in a powde rolling mill when they were hurt.