The following article, including headlines, appeared on the front page of "The Evening News." BLOWN TO BITS------- Fearful Explosion at the County Infirmary. ------- A Boiler Used In Supplying ------- Two Inmates of the Institution ------- One Has the Top of His Skull Crushed ------- Contractor Johnson Blown Quite a Dis- ------- The DeadPEARL RHODES, another inmate, aged 28. Injured, knocked into a well and drowned. InjuredFREDERICK ULMER, Dayton well driver, right leg broken above knee. WM. JOHNSON, Dayton contractor, cut and bruised. In the twinkling of an eye two souls were waited into eternity and simultaneously two workmen were seriously but not necessarily fatally injured. The accident was remarkable in its peculiarity, and all things considered, in the limitation of the number of the dead and injured. With a score or more inmates within a few paces of the scene of the explosion, it seems wonderful and truly providential that consequences wee not more startling of harrowing. Dead and InjuredPearl Rhodes, a young man 28 years old, who has been in the infirmary only since August 27th, and who for years past has been a resident of Madison township, was the other victim. Like Butonhorne, he was engaged about the well when the boiler let go with fatal effects. James Hoolan, an Irish inmate, received a deep cut in the right hip, which extends into the abdomen. It is a serious injury, though it is hardly thought it will result in his death. He is a middle-aged man and was working also of his own free will. Frederick Ulmer, a Dayton well-driller, in the employ of Contractor Wm. Johnson, received a broken right leg above the knee. He is a man of 55 years, and the injury will consequently fall heavily upon him. Ulmer resides at 46 Vine street with his wife and family, and has been employed by Mr. Johnson for years. William Johnson, contractor, who had in charge the drilling of wells at the Infirmary, was hurled twenty-five feet and severely cut and bruised, though not even temporarily disabled. His escape was phenomenal and most fortunate. Charles A. and Fred Johnson, sons of the contractor were in close proximity but both miraculously escaped with a single scratch or bruise. How It HappenedPreparations were in progress for a continuance of this work when the boiler--undoubtedly a defective and insecure one--exploded with terrific force. In a moment's time the north side of the brick building containing the insane wards as badly demolished, while two lives paid the forfeit. It was as first supposed that more than a dozen were injured, and, in short, it was an hour or more before the definite situation evolved from chaos. The inmates of the insane ward became almost uncontrollable, and for a time a serious panic was feared. However, the management prevented such a contingency. The authorities carried on the work of rescue and assistance quickly and methodically. Rescuing The InjuredMr. Johnson, of 16 Brady street, this city, though carried in the air a considerable distance and landed forcibly, escaped practically without material injury. He was able to assist in the rescue in a few minutes. Butonhorne's Head CrushedRhodes' death was especially peculiar. It is possible that he sustained a fracture of the head, while his left leg was mashed. it seems that the force of the explosion knocked him into the well, which contained eight feet of water, and he met his death directly by drowning, though it is not probable that he would have lived with such injuries. He was dead when first discovered and all hopes of rescuing him alive were abandoned early. The body was secured, however, without delay. He was reared, when a boy, in the Children's Home in this city. Only Twenty-One Pounds of SteamButonhorne and Rhodes, the two victims, had voluntarily obtained pitcher pumps and were operating them, emptying the well of its contents by this slow process at the time of the explosion. They were in reality at the very end of the death-dealing boiler and in this way received the full shock. The engine was a portable one, and belonged to Martin Wolf. It was rented by Contractor Johnson, who disclaims any knowledge of its defectiveness. He considered it perfectly sound, and had used it for a week or more. It was of the Yaho make. Property LossReports in the CityCoroner Corbin arrived at the scene this afternoon, while Dr. G. C. Meyers and the Infirmary physician arrived shortly after 2 o'clock to attend to the injured. |