Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1891 — ELEVEN DEAD AND THIRTY HURT. [ARTICLE]

ELEVEN DEAD AND THIRTY HURT.

Fearful Havoc of a Bomb and Mortar that Exploded in a Crowd of Italians. An explosion on the 25th at an Italian celebration at Newark, N. J., resulted in eleven deaths, while thirty persons are suffering from wounds of a lyore or less serious nature, A big copper casing mortar was used for the bombs. These were filled with colored fire and shot in the air, where they burst, throwing out a shower of vari-colored sparks. It was this mortar that exploded and caused all the harm The bomb casing is about five inches in diamter and thirteen inches long. About 11 p. m.. a large bomb was put in the mortar and lighted. It is supposed that the bomb exploded in it. There weretomdreds of men, women children standing around watching with great expectancy. When it was exploded the air was filled with the shrieks of the injured and dying. Intense confusion followed. A platoon of police were on the scene, and they had great difficulty in preventing thr frightened multitude from tramping the injured to death. The explosion is supposed to be due to an overcharge of powder. Rumors wero abroad that there had been dynamite iri the bomb, but this is dedicd. There is a city ordinance forbiding the display of fire w orks except on legal holidaysand at military reviews. The superintendent of tire department granted the permit for the fatal exhibition.