South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-10
Series of Blasts Wreck Eight
Or Nine BuildingS-Prop-
erty Loss Will be in
Millions.
HOSPITALS AT CHESTER
CH0KED WITH INJURED
Doctors and Medical Supplies
Are Sent to SCene-CauSe
of Disaster is Not
Known.

International News Service:
PHILADELPHIA. Pa. April 10
AT least so men were reported killed
and over 500 injured today in
series Of disastrous explosions ar the
plant OF the Eddystone Ammunition
corporation at Eddystone. near here
The corporation was aanufactur-
ing ammunition for the Russian
government
10 was the heaviest disaster that
has befallen am American ammuni-
ton plant since the outbreak OF the
world war.
The entire plant. worth millions
Of dollars. is threatened with de-
structiOn by fire
Eight or nine OF the buildings
were blown mp. according 20 an oh
server who witnessed the explosion.
Hospitals Are Choked.
Hospitals AZ Chester were choked
with injured. Relief parties were
made up i'm Philadelphia. Word Is
awaited by the department Of pub
lie health and charities and the
Pennsylvania railroad 20 send ply
sicians and medical supplies from
here.
The origin OF the explosion Is a
mystery Depa -tment or justice
agents and 20 city detectives. under
Lieut. Emmanuel were rushed 20
the scene i'm motor cars as soon as
the news reached Philadelphia
The main building is on fire IL
is feared that heavier explosions NAV
follow. The exact number Of cas-
ualties may not be known for DAYS
A heavy pail OF smoke hangs over
the wrecked buildings The explO-
sions. three fierce shocks and manv
intermittent roars. began shortly
before 10 o'clock. They shook the
surrounding country for miles The
first blast occurred IN building T.
where shells were being loaded
Many Killed Outright
Many were killed outright Many
were said 20 have been blown 10
bits. Many bodies win never be
identified Mangled pieces Of bodies
were found as far as half mile
from the center OF the explosions.
After three big shocks minor ex-
plosions continued internationally and
at times sounded like the firing of
gattling gun battery For This
reason il was impossible for rescuers
10 get near 20 the actual scenes Or
the main explosions MANY ami U-
lances with doctors and nurses from
Chester and other points were arr
irving at EddystOne AT II o'clock
Detective headquarters here rushed
men out before noon 20 search for
a suspect who started for Philadel-
phia shortly after the explosion
All trolley service FOR the public
% and from Chester. which is near
Eddystone was ordered stopped bv
the trolley company officials soon
after the explosion This was done
on request Of the Chester police
authorities. The immediate purpose
was 20 stop the rush 81 curiosity
seekers which was expected 20 fol-
low the publication Of the news
Only special cars for the use % the
wounded or for absolutely necessary
traffic was permitted
William Dc Kraft secretary %
Baldwin Locomotive works which
controls the Eddystone Ammunition
corporation. said that the first ex-
plosiOn occurred in small out
building for the loadine 81 shells
know as building r."
Asked II the explosion was the
work OF platters, he replied.
we have no knowledge A. pres
ent how the explosion occurred
The Eddystone munition works
were erected in 1915 az a cost %
$500. 600 There are two main
buildings $50 feet long and go feet
wide and a large group Of smaller
outbuildings. The two large build
ings were used for the manufacture
OF shells and the smaller buildings
for the loading OF the projectlles
More than 300 men were employed
In the plant which since its erection
has been heavily guarded
Since the plant was built II has
shipped tons OF shells 10 the Rus
sian government. More than so in
epectors from Russia are in the
plant az all times inspecting NUM-
uons as fast as they are manufao-
tured-