Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-12
Covered so Acres

APPROXIMATELY 400 men were en-
ployod in the plant. which comprised
between 40 and 40 buildings and COW
red about so acres of ground. No mu-
nitions were manufactured at Kings
land but the plant was used for the
nlling OF shells. the chief constituent
used being trinitrotoluol, one of the
most powerful explosives known.
While II was estimated that nearly
5000 shells exploded. primary fuses or
APPS had not been attached to them and
Consequently their detonation did not
,au.e the havoc that follows their explo-
SION when used European battle
fronts
The roar OF the shells which sound
cd like cannonade from heavy guns,
was heard for miles. however, and the
,oncussion shook buildings within
vide radius of the plant.
Kings,and. Rutherford and other
places nearby were filled tonight with
tefugees A dozen persons were ar
reated at Kinetland on charges OF pc
tt larceny and orders were issued to
the guards sent cut in all directions to
shoot looters.
Thomas j Huckin. county prosecut-
or and his assistants. began tonight
an iHNeStlkd'ibn W in i'Sp'i'Sspi"NS
tor the disaster.
The fire which began at $50 +. NJ,
vas still smoulderinG late tonight in
ne ruins Shells exploded almost coz
,iuuouslv until 80 o'clock, but after
mat hour the detonations were only in
termittent
when chief OF Police MCIntire realized
that many persons would seek safety in
tho desolate meadows where they might
become lost and perish from the cold. he
sen, men 10 warn back the refugees and
he was positive tonight that none had
been lost in the marshes.
Rumors OF Many in Meadows
other reports. however, were that sew
eral hundred employees. mostly Negroes,
d,a make their way to the meadows.
where they were quickly up TO their
waists in mirc and water. They suffered
s.yereIy because they were scanuiy clad,
hut II was said tonight that all Of them
sr,,,v had reached rutherford and other
places
A poIice dead line was established
o quarter ~ q mile from the plant and
M one was allowed to pass. flremcn'
who came from all directions. were I'M
able to get nearer IMAM bh"' w WV 'A'
ing buildings. because their lives would
have been endangered by the pursuing
shells
Warden Kelly said the alarm was
given 10 persons in the Snake Hill
reighborhood by 500 Negro employees of
tho plant who were running for their
lives and shouting to everybody to leave
the vicinity. The prisoners were alarm
nd
tho frequent dctonations. The warden
aid he dispatched keepers Immediately
10 quiet them and order was restored
Describing the confagration, OF which
he had an excellent view from the peni-
fcntiary. the warden said the burning
area rcscmbled n gigantic display of
fireworks
Railroad Lines Blocked
Il was necessary to suspend all traf-
H. on the BOonton branch of the Lack
awanna Railroad whose tracks run
within 200 Yards of the burning plant.
An official Of the line estimated that
about thousand commuters were held
M They We're routed by other lines.
\ number Of freight cars owned by
he company on spur into the plant
were destroyed. but the main line was
fludHidktN, II WIS Sdlu' di'houSi 'hS
continued explosions hurled debris
across the tracks.
An official OF the Erie Railroad stated
that although their tracks nearest the
plant were n mile away. windows in their
trains were smashed by the conclusion
OF the FIRST explosion.
THIS came Just AT the beginning Of the
rush hour. he said Trains were held
back until inspecting crews were sent
ahead 20 make sure that tracks were
safe They said about the normal num-
her Of $500 passengers were handled In
the territory affected in general by the
explosion or the resulting excitement.
Settlement 6ombarded
situated on a hillside midway be-
tween Kingsiand and the plant was
colony OF from $50 to 200 Italian fam
lies who occupied small frame build
ngs. Scores of shells fell in this set
Element and many of the buildings
we're wrecked or burned. AS soon as
the Kingsland police realized the dan
ger these families were taken into
town. where they were lodged in
lcsntinusd on Psse 5, Column 81