Evening star., 1917-04-10
FROM 125 To ESQ
DIE IN EXPLOSION
|NMUN|T|0NP[A
Three Hundred Others Report
ed Injured at Eddystone,
Pa, Concern.
RESULTANT FIRE is KEPT
IN SHRAPNEL BUILDING
Morgue at Chester Is Filled With
Bodies and Sidewalks Are
Being Piled Up.

CHESTER, Pa, April Io.-A
terrific explosion at the great
plant of the Eddystone Ammuni-
ton Corporation at Eddystone,
Pa, a mile from this city, is re-
ported to have killed from 125 to
ESQ persons, and injured at least
800 more.
A railroad official asserts that
nearly 800 were killed, but this
estimate cannot be confirmed.
The 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
were stored. A second explosion de-
molished this building and scattered
the shells in every direction.
Immediately calls were sent for out
side aid and physicians. firemen and po-
llcemen from surrounding towns ar
rived in great numbers
The buildings in which the explosions
occurred caught fire, and by strenuous
work the flames. which burned two
hours, were confined to these struc-
lures. Meanwhile charred bodies were
being pulled from the wreckage and
injured persons were being picked up
and taken to Chester, a mile away. The
two main hospitals of the city, were
taken to the 5th Regiment Armory and
frame tabernacle recently erected
here for religious services.
NO official of the company was found
who could tell ANYTHING about the ex-
plot to destroy the plant. If there was
plot. no more effective spot could
have been selected for the work 1t
was near the Delaware river bank and
well isolated.
The plant was originally constructed
soon after the European war started
by Baldwin Locomotive interests. Re-
Gently it was taken over by the Rus
sian government which has been en-
pioying about 10000 people making
shells.
The place has been thoroughly guard
ed night and day, and after dark i'm
mense searchlights made every portion
of the grounds as light as day. In ad-
dition secret service men and detec-
tives worked in the various depart
ments disguised as munitions makers
seventy-Nine Bodies of Girls.
At the undertaking place of Coroner
White there are eighty bodies. seventy
nine being those of girls.
Thousands of girls were employed at
the plant. most of them coming from
Philadelphia. ten miles away. They
were attracted by the high wages paid
1t is stated the building in which the
explosion occurred was used for max
ing time fuses for shrapnel. The work
ers were mostly women and young
girls.
Making Shells for Russians.
NEW YORK, April 10-The Eddystone
Ammunition Company is understood
here to be an Independent corporation
and is engaged in manufacturing and
loading shells for the Russian govern
ment. The company has no connection
with either the Midvale Steel Company
or the Remington Arms Company.
At the offices of the Remington Arms
Company it was stated the Eddystone
Ammunition Company originally was
organized by the Baldwin Locomotive
Company. but afterward was turned
over to Russian interests. and is un-
derstood to be operated l. russians
at the present time. The .iany it
was said. was making thrce-inch and
fifteen-pound shells.
officers here of the Eddystone Am
munition Company left at noon for the
scene Of the explosion. The only in
formation they had was that number
of persons had been killed, after an
explosion and fire in a black powder
storehouse.
The original contract held by the
Eddystone company with the Anglo
Russian commission called for $500, 900
shrapnel. on which the Baldwin loco
motive works was to receive a royalty.
1t was explained here today. On COM
pletion of the contract the Baldwin
company was to get the entire plant
valued at $1,500,000. Last September
an adjustment was made whereby the
commission took over the contract, aft
er so, 900 shells had been delivered. !,
was said, however, that the Baldwin
company still retained it's proprietary
interest in the plant