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Newspaper
Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Oct 16, 1907
Page
2
A massive explosion at Fontanet powder plant leveled buildings and killed Supt Monahan and Wes Dias and his son. Dozens injured. 40 000 kegs of powder exploded destroying churches, schools, depots and homes. survivors seek aid from Brazil and Terre Haute authorities.
Terre Haute Indiana October 15 1919 a Dupont Powder mill at Fontanet exploded near 9 am wiping out the mining town and killing up to thirty with about one hundred injured. The town buildings including the school are wrecked. Big Four provided a relief train and doctors treated the wounded in Terre Haute hospitals. Superintendent Monahan is missing believed in the wreck.
A catastrophic blast at Fontanet mill injured about forty workers, some trapped by collapsing walls as flames spread. Rescue teams struggled as panicked families arrived seeking relatives, with two men dying on the rescue train and at the station. Mayor Lyons called a relief meeting and asked Governor Hanly to deploy Company B with tents for the homeless.
Governor Hanly ordered the Terre Haute company of the Indiana National Guard to move to Fontanet with twenty four hours rations to patrol the ruined town and protect life and property. Major Kershner will accompany 106 cots and tents for Fontanet inhabitants.
Slight earth tremors were felt in Louisville at 9 15 AM causing bottles to shake in a drug store and windows to rattle in many houses. The tremor initially was believed to be an earthquake.
The Fontanet explosion was heard in Indianapolis and caused a brick wall to crack in Crawfordsville, 35 miles away, with tiling sinking an inch. Telegraph lines failed and residents drove from Terre Haute and Brazil to obtain details.
A faint quake-like tremor was observed in Cincinnati at 9 30 this morning with Prof Porter of the University of Cincinnati noting it as very slight yet distinctly felt. Reports came from southern Indiana and Hamilton Ohio indicating a somewhat stronger shock.
An explosion at the Fontanet Indiana powder mill owned by the Du Pont company occurred today. A Du Pont representative in Wilmington said no definite information had reached them and noted the plant was a large facility dedicated to blasting powder production.
An explosion at Fontanet twenty miles away triggered widespread alarm in Greencastle Indiana on October 15. The blast cracked windows and toppled bricks along the business blocks as residents spilled into the streets.
Jurors reviewing county facilities commend improvements at the county farm easing overcrowding. Superintendent Turfinger and his wife receive praise for handling of residents and Mrs Ida M Overmeyer the home matron earns high remarks for care of orphans. Jury convened daily since September 16, hearing over 450 witnesses with one night session for Woodburn residents.
Seventeen of more than a hundred saloon defendants were arrested Monday after grand jury action. George H. Brown of the Aveline hotel faces the toughest charge for maintaining an illicit room not facing a public highway. Additional indictments accuse Frank Bougher of liquor sales on fair grounds.
Indictments issued under the blind tiger act target Fort Wayne saloons with failures to remove screens and Sunday restrictions. Harry A. Wiebke is named in a joint indictment though not notified today, with several others facing charges and bonds set at fifty dollars. Additional indictments are anticipated as law officers continue arrests.
A Tuesday grand jury handed up a second set of warrants and indictments targeting liquor sales without licenses and various illicit houses. Indictments name managers Harry Lorhmers and Eddie Longfield for selling without licenses, plus owners and renters of illicit rooms, gambling devices, and other violations across Calhoun Street, Arcade Court, and South Lafayette Street, with bond arrangements and repeats of the prohibition-era offenses.
Chicago October 15 a 30 million dollar will contest was settled out of court. The last will of Nelson Morris was filed for probate showing five principal heirs including the widow will each receive six million dollars and securities instead of 500 thousand plus twenty year annuity. The packing business will be continued at Pregett with Edward Morris heading the enterprise.
The Indiana Womans Christian Temperance Union holds its annual convention at Trinity church with addresses by Mayor George R. Durgan and Elizabeth Stanley. Officers and department superintendents are elected, reports read, and plans laid for continued temperance work statewide.
Goshen Indiana October 10 County commissioners told County Attorney Gattshall to collect 1561.33 from George W Ellis former county superintendent who after eighteen years in office was defeated last June. Investigators allege Ellis issued dummy bills for twenty five months and drew 25 to 28 dollars monthly using fake invoices in the name of a Chicago Educational association led by F M Woods who denies any such claims. Grand jury called and possible indictments loom for Ellis. Commissioners also seek return of 50 cent demand fees by ex Treasurers Weaver Woods and the Drake estate and 25 cent in and out fees by ex Sheriff Elliott and Manning.
Members of the Third Church of Christ at East Creighton avenue and Smith street report funds exceed 500 dollars toward the new church. An initial 100 dollars had been given three weeks earlier. The congregation will canvass remaining members as they complete only the foundation this fall under Rev. H. E. Stafford’s guidance.
Mrs. C. R. Bookwalter received a telegram announcing the death of her father Adam Botzum of Akron Ohio at age 77. A German native he came to America in 1836 and lived in Akron since then. He celebrated his Golden Wedding in June with his wife and several children visited Fort Wayne. Children include G A Botzum Emma Averill F C Botzum Lyda Botzum Lillian Wirth and C R Bookwalter. Mrs Bookwalter will attend the funeral and her husband will follow later.
Miss Mary O Dowd sister of T J O Dowd proprietor of the Rich hotel arrived home from Ireland after four months visiting her parents. They did not recognize her until she spoke. Her father greeted her warmly at the station after recognizing her, noting little seemed changed in fourteen years away.
Regular freight service between Fort Wayne and Lafayette over the Fort Wayne and Wabash Valley trolley line will begin Thursday morning. The first freight car departs Fort Wayne at 9 o'clock with eastbound service from Lafayette around the same time.
Rathdrum Idaho dispatch reports Steve Adams case to be called tomorrow in Portland Oregon. Judge Woods indicated the case will be set for retrial October 22 unless opposition develops.
A passenger train derailed near Shrewsbury England killing sixteen people including ten passengers and injuring many others. Investigators say the disaster resulted from the engineer ignoring a order limiting speed to ten miles an hour on a curve.
Private advices from Vienna report Emperor Francis Joseph in worse condition than yesterday as of Oct 16 in The Hague dispatch.
War Secretary Taft arrived in Manila at 4 39 p m from Hong Kong to an enthusiastic reception, marking a high profile stop in his East Asia voyage during October.
Witness Hans Lage reports a billygoat owned by Frank Chandler ascended a tall fir at Chandler's Hood River ranch. The goat perched about fifty feet up the tree seemingly content while browsing. The report ends with garbled OCR text.
New York reports the Lusitania arriving at Sandy Hook after a 4 days 19 hours voyage from Daunt Rock, setting records for fastest Atlantic crossing and highest daily runs. Captain Watt credited with pace, while crews fed by 950 to 1,000 tons of coal daily and celebrated with ale.
A collection of home cooking tips and recipes from Fordyce Arkansas, featuring Sour Cream Dressing, Bean Fluff with Lima beans, Grandma's Rusks, Deviled Bread, Potato Balls with Parsley Butter, Ginger Ale with Cream, Chicken Livers on Brochette, Southern Rice Bread, Fruit Sulpicon, Lambs Kidneys, Oatmeal Muffins, Italian Spaghetti, Baked Prunes, and Apple Pie with ice cream. Includes measurements, methods, and serving ideas.
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