The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-01-02
MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION
SHOCKS CITYAT DAWlv

, stopped their daily tasks to inquire
OF Mrs. or Miss So and So what had
happened; business men discussed the
matter and offices of the newspapers
were deluged with inquiries.
At press time for The News Wednes-
day afternoon the explosion was still
unexplained. y
Eager for Explanation.
Probably no occurrence in Chatta-
nooga in many years has aroused as
much curiosity as did the explosion
OF Wednesday morning.
Bright and early telephone calls be-
gan coming in to The News office IN
regard to the detonation, and the CALI
ers were eager to know what 1t was.
what caused it, where it took place
and whether it could have been a Ger
man bomb.
1t was frequently inquired if the ex-
plosion did not occur at Fort Ogle-
thorpe. where thousands of Uncle
Sans khaki-clad men are in train
ing for shot at Kaiser Bill.
Not Powder Mill.
A large powder mill Is located at
Ooltewah and reports were that the
explosion took place in that town. but
when Ooltewah was called the DOW
der mill was found to be unharmed.
but the shock that caused Chattanoo-
gans to wonder had the same effect
there
Residents Of Ooltewah were first at
tracted by bright light; then came
tremendous report that shook horses
and caused windows to rattle. Taun-
der and tightening were attributed as
the cause of the phenomenon.
Heard for Miles.
3 The little town of Daisy was alsA
disturbed by the report and the bsi9ht
light was seen there.
The explosion was not heard at
Cleveland and Copperhill.
When the army post was called il
was stated at the other end of the
line that no unusual noise had been
heard.
Rossville, Ga, felt the force of the
shock. and the the flash of light was
seen by residents of that place.
Telephone communication with La
Fayette. Ga, developed that what ap-
peared to be a meteor passed over the
town about s o'clock, travelling south
ward. Shortly after the large ball of
light was seen, loud report broke the
quietude of the morning, and the
thought spraig into q few minds that
German bomb had been dropped
lTOiIl lHt SKIES.
The report was heard at High Point.
Ca, on the line of the Tennessee, Ala
bama & Georgia railway.
Possibly Near Menlo.
At Menlo and Summerville the same
terrific shock was felt. and IL was
stated that 1t came from the section
northwest of these places.
Residents of the section east of Ms
sionary ridge, including Ryall Springs
an6 Morley, plainly heard the explo-
sion and saw the light that preceded
it The flash was of sufficient bright
ness TO illuminate houses. and enc
Worley resident said re thought 1t
was an automobile light.
People residing on Sand mountain
in the vicinity Of Valley Head. Ala.
rane into that town Wednesday,
morning inquiring what the explosion
was They felt the force of the TAR.
and so did residents of Valley Head
who also saw the light and wondered
what Il al meant. The Alabama town
is forty-rvc miles distant from Chat
tancoga.
Inquiry at stations along the A. G.
s. the C., y. O. & I. p and Knoxville
divisions OF the Southern railway
failed to throw any Hight on the mys-
terious noise. The report was not
heard in Oakdale; neither did ii dis
turb birmingham. Ala.