Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1889 — BLOWN TO ETERNITY. [ARTICLE]

BLOWN TO ETERNITY.

Fatality and Havoc Wrought by an Explosion of Fli<sh Powder. By an explosion of flash powder at the chemical manufacturing establishment of Wiley & Wallace, at Philadelphia, three men were instantly killed and one fatally and another seriously injured. A large bottle of flash powder had been, standing on a shelf for a long time and Joseph Wiley, a member of the firm, determined to get rid of it on account of its dangerous nature. Betook the bottle to a sink in the rear of the basement, and calling to his assistance Charles R. Rhinedoller, a chemist, and Rudolph Lippmann, an employe, proceeded to pour the stuff down the sink. Rhinedoller held a hose and poured water on the compound as it ran from the bottle, and Lippman assisted Mr. Wiley. William Kidd, another employe, stood by and watched the proceedings. Jnst exactly how the explosion occurred is not. known, but it is believed that the powder, on account of its age, was slow in running from the bottle, and that Mr. Wiley must have struck it against the sink to loosen it. Immediately there was a terrific explosion, accompanied by a deafening report. the force of which shook the houses injthe neighborhood. Wiley, Lippman and Rhinedoller were instantly killed, their bodies being dashed against the walls of the basement and. literally torn to pieces. Kidd was frightfully injured and can not live. Alfred Moffett, the engineer, is very badly hurt, but his injuries are not believed to be fatal. Thirteen girls and a. number of men were employed on the upper floors, and they were panic-stricken by the shock. The girls attempted tojump from the windows, and some of them fainted, thus, adding to the excitement. The building and stock were badly damaged, all the windows and bottles being smashed, the lower floors torn up, and the walls damaged. Mr. Wiley, who was 38 years old, was the senior member of the firm, and leaves a wife* and several children. A good liver is oft-times sadly in need of a good liver. t