Imperial Valley press., 1923-03-17
SCHOOL JAMTOR
CT YES DETAILS
OF DISASTER
Automatic Switch Failed
to Shut Off Gas
Generator

to Shut Off Gas
Generator
Halle Smith Dead and
Others Injured in
Explosion
-
Death from acctdsutal explosion
was the verdict Of the coroner s
jury which heard testimony today
in Brawley, in connection with the
inquest on the death of Halle
Smith, caused in the destruction Of
the Bfawley Union High School by
a gas explosion yesterday after
noon, in which Misc Katherine
Hovley, secretary to the principal.
and G. w. Powell school janitor
were seriously injured.
Owing to the condition Of Mr..
Powell who was seversly burned
and brui.ed, part Of the testimony
was taken In his home, where he
is under q physicians care. Mr.
Powell stated that hs smelled escap-
ing gas, shortly after 2 o'clock and
made an investigation. There was
an automatic switch on the gas
generator used in the domestic
science department, which was sup
posed to shut of when sufficient
gas had been generated. For
some reason, tho switch failed to
work and he had 70 turn it by
hand. A spark from the switch
ignited the gas and caused tho OK
plosion. It was asc2tained upon
Investigate this morning that the
generator did not explode.
Almost a Calamity
The warning bell, indicating time
| Tor classes to change, had already
sounded, according to Principal
George R. Momeyer, and in few
| seconds the bell for the pupils to-
pass to their classes would have
been rung. In the short interval
between the two bells, the ex-
| plosion occurred. Had it happened
when the corridors were crowded
with pupils, the death toll would
undoubtedly have been enormous.
Following the explosion, which
was distinctly felt in, all parts of
Brawley, hundreds Of people hasten.
ed to the stricken school, frantic in
their fear that loved ones within its
walls had met a terrible death. As
sodn as possible, sthe firemen and
police foped..off the building and
piaced guards. within the space to
prevent any from entering the
buildings portions Of which contin-
led TO rive way and crash cellar.
ward at frequent Intervals.
The first feelings Of panic soon
gave way to profound relief and
thankfulness that in some miraeu-
lous manner, every one Of the 100
odd persons within the building at
the fine Of the explosion had not
been killed. A hasty check up re-
vealed that only Miss Smith had
been killed and Miss Hoveley and
Mr.. Powell seriously injured. Sew
eral others received minor cuts and
bruises which were dressed by ply
sicians, and all were more or less
effected by shock.
Utley on Scene
District Attorney Ernest X. Utley.
accompanied by Harry Horton, chief
deputy, and A. b. Robbins, criminal
| investigator, hurried to Brawley
| when news Of the, disaster was re-
eeived, rumors being vague as to
the exact number killed. The dis
triet attorneys party was permit
ted inside the building, and the
sight that met their eyes beggars
description. The gas generator was
in the front part Of the building on
the lower floor and 1t was here that
the main force Of the explosion was
felt. Floors, walls, ceilings and ev-
cry material used in building were
punched in one conglomerated mass.
What was left Of stairways and cor.
ridors shook beneath the weight OF
the party, and care had to be used
in moving to prevent further top
ping Of the wreekage. The main
entrance was filled with huge pile
| Of debris, carried down from the
upper floors.
Freak Of Disaster
Directly off the main entrance
was the auditorium, and here was
noted one Of the freaks Of the dis.
aster. The force of the explosion
wrecked several rows of seats in the
rear of the auditorium, nearest the
main corridor, hut those in the cen
ter and toward the front, had re-
mained practically intact, The
stage, furthest removed from the
explosion, was completely wrecked,
the drops and scenery being torn
from their places and strewn about
the floor.
The class rooms on the north side
of the building presented weird
sight, as books, desks, plaster,
chairs and tables were thrown
about. The principals office, near.
est to the scens OF the explosion,
and In which Miss Hovelcy was