The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-15
DEATH TOLL IN
GAS Blast IS
PAST so MARK
23 Bodies in Morgue, 29
More Reported as Lo-
Gated in Search.
PROPERTY LOSS GREAT
Many Victims Believed In
Pits of Water, Beneath
Tangled WreCkage.

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 15.-Twenty-
three bodies have been recovered
twenty-nine more have been re-
ported as located by searchers, and
property damage tentatively has
been estimated at several million
dollars, in the first days work fol-
lowing the terrific gas blast that
rocked Pittsburgh Monday morning
While there was chance Of find
ing a body or two In any one OF
the score of wrecked factory build
ingS, rescue work was concentrated
on the plant of the Clay Pot Com
pany, where, it was said, approx
mately 100 men were employed.
Stretched above this pit of water
was a mountain Of twisted steel as
high as three-story building. The
plant adjoining the huge gas tanks
suffered the full force of the blast.
May Find Many More
Fire Chief Richard Smith de-
clared that the pit Of water might
conceal 80 bodies or it might con-
ceal 100. That was typical of the
uncertainty of the disaster and lent
inspiration for the desperate drive
to reach the bottom of the piled
debris.
The repair crew of the Ritter
Conley Company, which was weld
ing the giant superstructure when
the tank which it surrounded ex-
ploded, probably all were killed.
Many Of the bodies may never be
found, it was indicated by ghastly
remnants of men plucked from the
twisted steel.
Seventeen Of the bodies in the
morgue have been identified.
Many Are Missing
The list of missing mounted
hourly and ranged in estimates of
from ten to forty.
An accurate check Of the injured
was impossible. Hundreds who re-
ceived minor injuries were given
treatment at hospitals and dis
charged. Others received first aid
treatment from doctors and i'm
provised first aid stands.
The Presbyterian Hospital re-
ported thirty-two persons confined
to the wards, five of whom were be-
lieved dying. A total of 300 were
given first aid treatment and dis
charged.
At the st. Johns Hospital thirty
were confined to wards, five in
critical conditions. Twenty-four per-
sons had been discharged.
In the Allegheny General Hospital
1853 were treated, twenty-four con-
fined and eleven we're critically in
jured.
Several Yet in Hospitals
st. Francis Hospital reported one
confined.
The South sids Hospital had dis
charged ten injured and detained
two.
The West Penn Hospital had
treated five, four of whom we're de-
tanned.
Mothers and children, many of
them cut and bruised, arose after
sleepless night in temporary
quarters supplied by the companies,
the city and welfare organizations
to visit the ruin which was once
their home.
Perchance they could .rummage
something of their belongings from
the mass of bricks, plaster and tim
bers. They had spent Monday and
greater part of the night milling
about the rescuers, with the hope
Of finding their missing fathers and
husbands.
Homes Are Gone
Messenger boys told Of taking
messages from anxious relatives and
friends to the given addresses, to
find only the bare walls Of the
houses standing. There was no life
except for an occasional officer
guarding against looters.
Mayor Charles H. Kline issued
orders to police magistrates to hold
any person, believed to be looting,
for Criminal Court without bail.
Two men arrested were to face
charges today of loOting.