The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean., 1915-12-02
81. EMPLOYEES killed
WHEN 4 TONS Of
POWDER .EXP[ODtS

wilmington DEL, NOV. 50.-Ihlrty-
one workmen were killed and seven
fatally injured today in terrible ex-
plosion Of about four tons of black
powder in packing house at the Up
per Hageley yard Of the DUPONT Pow
der Co. It was the worst accident
that has occurred in any of the COM
pany's plants in a quarter of a CEN
tury.
The cause of the blast is not known.
to a statement issued by
the company, the "origin will probab-
ly always remain mystery"
Nevertheless, most severe investi-
cation has been started by the Off
cials Of the company and every en-
ploye who was near the building, that
was blown to pieces, will be put thru
a thorough examination in the hope
that some clue as to the cause might
be learned.
OUTSIDE AGENCY RUMOR.
There was the usual rumor afloat
that some outside agency may have
caused the explosion, but DUPONT Off
cials said tonight that there was not a
shred of evidence upon which to hang
any theory.
Nearly all the victims of the blast
were young men, between sixteen and
twenty-one years old. The greater
number of them lived in and about
Wilmington.
The explosion occurred in a pack
ing house where black powder pellets
are prepared for shipment. These pei
let's are used for rifles and other pur-
poses, 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 the
Upper Hagley plant Of the DUPONT
company, about three miles northwest
of the city.
Three Explosions Heard.
It was 1880 o'clock when slight ex.
plosion was heard in the neighborhood
followed by another one trifle heav.
ier, which was quickly succeeded by q
terrific blast that not only rocked the
while valley, but shook and startled
Wilmington.
Workmen ran from every building
and shack in the wide area which the
company's plant covers. A great col
umn Of smoke rose from the spo'
where the building, had stood, and
when the cloud had disappeared, thers
was only a big hole left in the ground
| Scene One of Horror.
! Workmen who survived the tremen
dous blast said the scene was one O.
horror. From every tree left stand
ing in the neighborhood there wa
hanging either pieces of flesh or part
of clothing worn by the unfortunate
men.
Twenty-six men were in the paclin,
house when the powder went off, an
mot enough of any of them was let
for Identification with the exception o
Allan A. Thaxter, the foreman. A par
Of his body was found hanging on
tree across the creek. It was identif
ed by shreds ;of clothing that stil
clung to it.
!: Four Of the thirty men killed wer
blown to pieces while at work outsid
the packing house,
No Part Is Found.
The pellet packing house was one
story frame building, 1890 feet an
! was divided into six rooms. Not
single part Of it was to be found.
) Nearby Buildings were badly dan
1aged: The men injured were outsid
: fthe plant, They. were struck by debr
q / and ali were badly mutilated. One {
: two had eyes blown out and sever
lost an arm or leg.
Hft One theory advanced by workmen I
. tthe yards is that the explosion raa
Z fhave originated in a spark from
u horses shoe or from q spark cause
by a car running over some spille
powder, causing. q flash to reach Il
= powder In the car, exploding 1t in Il
9 house. x n - =
d members to leave their work and tai