The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-10-10
Superintendent Killed.

dations Scarcely window is left
in the buildings at South Amboy.
Superintendent Killed.
Among those reported to have beer
killed was Arthur H. Stanton of Peril
Amboy. superintendent of the unit in
which the first explosion occurred.
The plant, which is being operated
for the government, employs several
thousand men and women, working
in three shifts, but officials stated to
night that there were only about SOC
men in the plant when the explosion
occurred.
The plant was engaged in loading
thigh explosive shells. Upon the first
explosion, government officials tele-
phoned to nearby camps for soldiers
TO serve as guards and several hun
dred, with a detachment of coast
guards, were rushed to Morgan.
/ The plant, which covers an area of
lie square miles, comprises many
small buildings, situated along Chesa.
quake creek. The first explosion oc.
CURED in one of these buildings in
which TINT was being made and the
flames spreading to other structures,
caused a series of further blasts.
Explanations regarding the cause
of the explosion vary. according to
one account, excessive heat was ap-
| piled to vat of INT. Another ac-
count had it that shell, which was
being lifted, fell and exploded
Like West Battle Front.
AS soon as government and COM
Irany officials arrived. they took
charge of fighting the flames. which
threatened TO destroy the entire
plant. Calls for fire apparatus and
medical assistance were at once sent
ito other communities. The fire was
still burning at late hour, but was
said TO be under control. The prop
erty damage has not been estimated.
The first structure blown up was
soon a glazing furnace For hours,
the firemen could make no effort TO
rescue bodies on account of the in
tense heat The scene at the plant
reflected a bit of the, western front.
Within the light of the flames. were
men rushing madly about, some nurs.
ing injuries, while overhead rolled
the dense smoke. Here and there
came the roar of shells exploding.
like the roar of field artillery
Telephone Operator Heroine.
young woman employed at the
plant as telephone operator was the
heroine of the fire. With shells burst
ing around her. she stuck to her post.
sending out calls for firemen and doc.
tors. Calmly she gave direction as
to the quickest method of reaching
the plant
From all directions came hystericalI
women and children whose husbands
or fathers were employed at the works
perhaps in the burning building.
Desperately these women and young.
sters hurled themselves at the guard.
regardless of the danger that lurked
in the roaring furnace. with it's guam
titles of shells yet unexploded The
railroad trestle spanning the Raritan
river and leading TO the plant was
black with these figures. who reached
the gates only to be turned back to
spend the night in the seemingly end
less torture of uncertainty.
Women Rush Onto Bridge.
Frantic with fear, women seized
their children. rushed into the streets
and, seeing a volume of smoke rolling
towards them. ran to the bridge which
leads over the Raritan river towards
Perth Amboy. This bridge soon held
a great mass Of fleeing humanity.
Forcing their way through the pcdes
TRANS were numerous automobiles,
whose drivers sought safety.
There is no hospital at Morgan. In
addition to the twenty-five doctors
sent from here with several ambu-
lances, all rSinrounding cities and
towns were called on for medical as
sistance
Fire apparatus was summoned from
Railway, New Brunswick, Perth Am
boy and even as far away as Elizabeth.
The flames have spread 10 what is
known as Unit 81. TO Unit 62. and
both these units are doomed. Units
70 and Is are in danger. Some head
way has been made fighting the fires
despite the danger in approa ching the
burning buildings.
Serious fire occurred at the Gillespie
plant in Morgan, known as the Oliver
plant, last Saturday, but the workers
had plenty Of time in which to escape.
Plant Covers Big Area.
The plant covers large area, which
is approximately four miles long and
two miles wide, with many buildings
in which. it is said, 1000 persons,
working in three shifts, are usually
employed.
Women and girls work on the day
shift and it is thought none OF them
We're at the plant tonight.
A serious fire occurred at the Gil
lespie plant in Morgan, known as the
Oliver plant, last Saturday. but the
workers had plenty OF time in which
to escape.
In addition TO fire apparatus sent
tn tonfpht's fire from surrounding