The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-10
BLOW
ARMS
PLANT
Estimate of Number Killed
Runs From 125 to 300.
Suspect Plot Origin for Terrific
Explosions.
MOST OF victims GIRLS
First Blast in Room Among 100
Young Women.
40 Bodies of Girls in One Under
takers MOrgue.
PLANT nWNFn RY RIISNlh
First Blast in Room Among 100
Young Women.
80 Bodies of Girls in One Under.
takers MOrgue.
PLANT OWNED BY RUSSIA
10000 Shells Blow Up as Fire
Reaches Them.
Entire Plant at Chester, Pa,
Employs 10000 Workers.

Chester, April 10.-A terrific eXplo-
sion at the great plant of the Eddy
stone Ammunition corporation at Ed
dystone. Pa mile from this city is
reported to have killed from % to 250
persons and injured at least 800 more.
A railroad official asserts that nearly
500 were killed, but this estimate can
not be confirmed.
TIE explosion occurred soon after
10 O'Clock in the pellet room of the
shrapnel building where about 100
girls were employed putting the finish
ing touches on shells. In a building
adjoining approximately 10000 were
stored. A second explosion demOlish-
ed this building and scattered the
shells in every direction.
Use Tabernacle for Hospital.
immediately calls We're sent for
outside aid and physicians, firemen
and police from surrounding towns
arrived in great numbers. The build
ings in which the explosions occurred
caught fire and by strenuous work
the flames which burned two hours
were confined to the structures,
Meanwhile charred bodies were being
pulled from the wreckage and injured
persons were being picked up and
taken to Chester, mile away. The
two main hospitals of the city were
soon filled and others injured were
taken to the Fifth regiment armory
and a frame tabernacle recently erect
ed here for religious services. No Of
ficial of the company was found who
could tell anything about the eX-
plOSion. There were rumOrS of a plot
to destroy the plant If there was a
plot. no more effective spot could
have been selected for the work. 1t
was near the Delaware river and well
isolated.
The plant was originally construct
ed soon after the European war start
ed by Baldwin Locomotive interests.
Recently it was taken over by the
Russian government which has been
employing about 10000 people max
ing shells.
Plant Heavily Guarded.
The place has been thoroly guarded
night and day and after dark inn
mense searchlights made every por-
ton of the ground as light as day.
In addition secret service men and
detectives worked in the various de-
partments disguised as munitions
workers.
At the undertaking place of Coroner
White there are eighty bodies, seven
ty-nine being those of girls.
Thousands of girls were employed
at the plant most of these coming
from Philadelphia. ten miles away.
They were attracted by the high
wages paid.
Dead Piled on Sidewalk.
The greatest confusion prevailed. No
one is allowed to approach the plant.
The trolley line to Eddystone is not
running because its wires were de-
stroyed The little Chester morgue is
filled with bodies and others are piled
on the sidewalk.
Nine Buildings Shattered.
Probably 200 were injured by the
series of mysterious explosions.
Nine buildings in section F. with
machinery worth millions of dollars,
were completely shattered by the ter
rifle shocks which shook this city like
an earthquake. Practically every
building in the entire plant was dam
aged.
The origin of the explosions is be-
ing investigated this afternoon by a
detachment of expert agents sent to
the scene by the local branch of the
Department of justice. The govern
ment agents are proceeding on the
theory that the explosions were not
accidental
Search cor Clues.
Detectives from this city Joined with
officials of the company in running
loyvn numerous clues to the origin of
he explosions. One report. which is
erified, said that man who was un-
Ter suspicion, was shot when he tried