The Washington times., 1926-07-14
WRECKACE
VEEDBY
WOMAN
O MARGARET PENFIELD

By MARGARET PENFIELD
DOVER, N. J., July 14-Here
! the story by the first woman
b enter the zone Of death and
lesolation caused by the explosion
e the Naval arsenal last Satur-
lay.
/ am the woman.
Ny first thrill came while /
kas waiting with 81 other cor
sspondents, and only one other
woman, when Maj. Gen. u. G.
Drum announced to Us:
The United States railroad as
Iumes no responsibility for any
lccidents. Any one who doesn't
kant to 90 at his own risk had
letter get off now"
Everybody Sticks
we,were waiting On q special train
! short distance across the danger
inc where the Government has not
IIowed any men to pass. except
hose in the service, and no woman.
We were gathered on q special
rain with three fIat cars and q
lay coach, assembled TO take the
PRESS through the stricken terri
Pry.
After the generals announcement
wen the reporters were silent. But
10 one left the train.
The engine pufEed expectantIy and
piled slowly ahead, steaming into
he shell-shocked area.
Vast powder covered wastes
buildings razed to the ground
Fees uprooted or broken of at
kurdy trunks.
Wreckage-desoIation.
The once peaceful countryside was
hrned in flash into q burning hell,
low hushed with the silence, Of
keath.
Booml
Blast Breaks Spell
The sound OF an explosion q short
hstance from our train broke the
Ipeu OF awe.
E6GQUEpCEH UGBdu DCIGV0 Tue
GENERALS warning was justified.
The train rolled smoothly on
Without other disturbance, proceed
hg at q speed Of 10 miles an hour.
Remnants Of clothing are scat.
lered around. Charred bedding Is
been.
On top Of the remaining frame
work Of q shattered building iS an
k~rAsskrIpswA1 TTyoe hAfaSA6 fhAVA kHY
he terrific force OF exploding shells.
Green, rolling hills In the dis
lance.
In the valley, only destruction.
For about one square mile all
Hgns Of life are gone. Grim tragedy
talks the scene.
Buildings An Raced
On every side as the train
steamed were buildings blown to
kton1s, their framework bent and
kusted.
Vibrating and pulping houses
we're destroyed.
The railroad station of the
Wharton and Northern Railroad
was completely demolished 20 min
htes after a freight train, with four
workers, passed.
The fertile valleys, now degolate,
hre q mass Of broken sticks and
kcattered rocks, bearing silent testi-
mony to the horrors experienced.
After viewing the wreckage, It
seems impossible to me that any
survived to tell the tale. With the
intense heat, the bursting shells,
ana the horror of not knowing how
much farther one could go, it must
have been a living death.
From a land OF utter desoIation,
bur train moved on to a less
vitally affected area, where q mum.
Der. Of buildings were standing, only
barts OF them destroyed.
Here saw grass and foliage not
burned completely, but charred,
giving the appearance OF late fall.
Beyond the season of the brilliant
colors, and too early for the winter
freshness, only bleak and hopeless.
Flag Still Flies
In the distance at the north
entrance OF the reservation, In front
81 Commanding Officer Capt. o. c.
DoWling's home, stands q flag pole.
on It the American Flag flying
Though wreckage is scattered all
around, this symbol remained un.
harmed. 81
Tie train had passed through the
awo miles OF stricken territory, all
hat was actually devastated. Fifty