Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1895 — A MONTANA HORROR. [ARTICLE]

A MONTANA HORROR.

Seventy-Five People*Killed and 100 Wounded. Death and Destraction Scattered Broad east by • Glaat Powder Explosion. A Butte, Mont., special, Jan. 15, says; A fire broke out in the Montana Central yards and soon several can loaded with powder caught fire. Jnst as the firemen were closing around the blazing can an explosion occurred, killing a number of firemen and spectators and maiming many others. The firemen who escaped immediately rallied and were beginning another attack when a second explosion, more violent than the fint, took place. The people in the vicinity were mowed down as with a great scythe and the streets . for half a block around looked like a great battlefield. Debris was thrown high in air, coming down half a mile away. Many prople on the streets in the center of the town were thus injured. A few of the remaining firemen were gathering themselves together and attempting to get’ to a place of safety when the third and last explosion occurred. This, too, killed and injured many people. There were several can of the powder, and til of them exploded. The heavens were lighted up and the city shook as if an earthquake was in progress. Immediately after the first explosion the entire hospital corps and police force were summoned and many of the detachments of these companies are among the killed and injured in the subsequent explosions. Fifteen dead bodies have already been gathered together, and then are, doubtless, a great many more in p: r.s of the yard that no one dares to approach. Every house for blocks around has been turned Into a temporary hospital. Every member of the fire department has been either killed or wounded.