Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-07

Havs isnitcd vapors From Bath.
El Paso, Tex. March Mime moro
Victims Of the disinteotfon bath explo-
sion, which late yesterday burned
forty -four prisoners In the city tail.
died today. These additional deaths
brought the list Of fatalities nm "a
eighteen and the number Of more seri-
/, ously injured were momentari,y ex-
pected to die.
The coroner's Inquest and an inves,,-
cation by city officials had TO do prin-
cipally with statements made by guards
ana survivors. who declared that the
explosion had been caused by the light
ing OF match by one Of the prisoners
'The tiny flare of the match fgnited
the Vapors arising from the mixture of
gasoiene, Kerosene and vinegar in
whlch the prisoners. mostly Mexicans.
were being hathed In Conformity
with sanitary measures devised by
health snthcrltie. to r-e.s:::: sS.ssa s.
disease. =,
Sheets OF flame flashed thru the
prison and almost Immediately the
street in front OF the Jail was flied
with naked, shrieking men enveloped
with fire. -
Mexican Shoots Motorran.
While the investigation was proceed-
ing here civil and military authorities
In Juarez were searching for an nm
Identified Mexican who boarded a street
car near the Juarez race track and
shot the motorman. Charles pheln..
last night Just after a report was
spread that 200 Mexlcans had been
thrown into jail here and deliberately
burned to- death Phelps may die.
Twelve Americans were among ahe
injured. Three OF th4ss, II, G. Cross. Sc
Davenport, Iowa: Allan n. odnm and
ssey Woods. died last mis- III. anu carly
today. IT. sy e5E @-'f.5 ~, =
The report that the explosion IN.
the result of deliberate attempt on
the part of American officials was car-
ried to Juarez almost immediately.
The shooting of Phelps occurred
shortly after dark. Eighteen Amer
leans. employees OF the race track, were
on the car at tho time and fled panic
stricken to the brush. l21r1
Phelps was shot In the head, shou1-
der and Jaw. The Mexican fred four
shots at him. -fz' .E
Fire Starts in Tank.
nash OF flames bursting from
tanks In which prisoners. Including
many Mexicans. were being given dis
injecting baths in the campaign To
prevent the spread Of disease from
Mexico. started the Jail fire. A match
lighted by one Of the "bathers.. in
disregard Of orders was said by. offi-
and fire. :, = 4 s.
II. c. Bagby. one of the TRUSTEES.
on guard at the time, made a states
ment to Mayor Tom Lea Monday
night in which he declared that a
match had been lighted by H. M.
Cross. an American prisoner who died
OF his injuries Mayor Lea immediate-
ly ordered an investigation. Firemen.
quartered in another part OF the build
Ing. quickly sxtirEuishsd the biazs. "a
Cross was under arrest as a vagrant.
His home is said to have been In DAY.
enport, Iowa. Thirty eight men, 1t is
said. early Monday night had been
taken to the county hospital. The burst
OF flames blew out doors and windows
and the blaze swept the hospital. rem
dering 1t useless for emergency work
which followed
On Fire From Head to Foot.
~One fire from head to foot. the nude
victims dashed into the streets and
alleys surrounding the prison. One Of
the victims, veritable torch, plunged
thru the Jagged remains Of a win
dow only TO die n few minutes later.
Every vestige Of hair was burned from
the heads of all the victims and the
flesh Of many Of them was crisped by
the fire. A number of them were
blinded. .&F.}- r..
a majority Of the inmates were out
Mt work at the time. Under the direc-
ton of DR.. G. Il. Calnan. chief polica
surgeon, who was slightly injured the
prisoners were taken from the steel
tanks, disrobed and placed one by one
In the disinfecting baths.
DR. Calnan had issued strict orders
that no matches were to be lighted
or cigarets smoked during the disin-
fecting process TRUSTEES" were sta
toned about corridors to see that tiis
order was obeyed. Despite these pre-
cautions. according to a statement by d
a trusty to Mayor Tom Lea Monday
night two prisoners were seen to light
matches.
Phelps, the motorman who was shot,
was removed to a hospital here where
It was said his condition was critical
Car service between Jnarez and FL
Paso was suspended after the siIpot-I
ing. The Mexican consul here said q
determined effort was being made to
apprehend the assaiiant OF the motor
man.
Insane Man Captured.
- HL JrY y ~. -