Powder Mills Explosion - 1884 (Part 2)

 

“Daniel Dougherty, killed by the explosion of the Hamilton Powder Mills, was the only one of the five whose death was not instantaneous. When he was found after the explosion, he said to those who would have shielded his eyes from the glare of the sunlight: ‘Don’t cover up my eyes, boys, I’ll never see another one.’

        Like to the forest primeval that stood near the village of Grand Pre.

        So were the willows and pine trees, silent and tall in the valley.

        There in this valley of darkness toiled men on for a pittance,

Standing forever and waiting the stroke that there is no escaping.

        Fearing yet never expecting the crash of that terrible thunder

        Leading a wretched existence for children and dear wife and home.

    *      *   *

        While the city’s streets were crowded and the people bought and sold,

        And joined the eager throng before the god of millions, gold,

        Rolling down the mountain side to the busy street

        Came boom of guns announcing tale of battle and defeat.

        Away in that dismal valley the dead and dying lay

        Shattered and blistered and withered – so noble and yet but clay.

        A battlefield indeed it was, where capital’s grasping hand

        Crushed life and hope and brightness out of all that little band.

        The carrion crow in hundreds flapped every wing o’er head,

        Where stalwart, brave Dan Dougherty would soon be with the dead.

        His bruised and burned and blackened face turned upward to the sky,

        And his seared eyes appealing to the weeping friends nearby,

        He told them that his death was near, his race was almost run,

        ‘Don’t cover up my face, boys, I’ll never see another sun.’

         An inquest into the Cumminsvill tragedy was called as soon as possible. The testimony was recounted in detail the Hamilton newspapers. Much of it was highly technical as to the nature of the operations of the powder mils, but it was all devastating to the company's regard for the safety of its employees:

"One witness – Robert Curran

“ – Worked one and a half years in the crackers, and up to five minutes before the explosion had been running at the usual speed; had run even faster; knew one of the journals in the crackers to heat some time ago; drew the attention of the boss to it, and got instructions to keep it oiled and he thought it would take no harm; ; do not know that the shakers had been rubbed that day; would just as soon work in dry powder as green; the general instructions were to keep everything in good order.

“Edwards Corlett, superintendent of the work, said – I always gave orders to shut down the mills when danger threatened and to let me know; there was no particular time to oil; left it to the men’s judgment; thought them capable of oiling when necessary; Dent did not draw my attention in any particular to the machinery being out of repair; the whole mill was dangerous, but the crackers most so; was in the crackers nearly all the forenoon and saw nothing wrong with the machinery; had been 29 years in those mills and thought them as safe as the general run of mills

“Amos Barnes, black boss, recalled. Thought the crackers were not in good repair; he always felt timid in them"

There was little doubt as to how the jury would rule on the matter:

“At the close of the inquest questions were submitted by the coroner to the jury, to which they returned the following answers:

First – That the crackers were the first building to explode, causing the death of Wm. Hetherington, Harry Tibble and Wm. Murray.

Second – That the explosion was caused by friction on the heated journals.

Third – We believe the machinery was not in a safe state of repair, considering the nature of the work.

Fourth – We believe that they were manufacturing at too great a rate of speed consistent with safety.

Fifth – We believe the press ignited from the crackers and was the second building to explode, causing the death of Geo. Matthews, Dan. Dougherty, and seriously wounding Albert Culp, and we believe that the machinery in the press was in a good state of repair.

Sixth – and, in conclusion, it is our opinion that the company are to blame in the matter.”

In an editorial, the Weekly Times also was very critical of how the Hamilton Powder Company was operated:

“The verdict of the coroner’s which inquired into the cause of the death of the five men who were killed in the explosion of the Cumminsville powder mills recites the facts without exaggeration or extenuation. The death of the workmen was due to the recklessness of the Powder Company, which caused the mills to be worked beyond their capacity, allowing the journals to heat. The danger was pointed out by one of the workmen now deceased, and it must have been obvious to all the men accustomed to the business. The Company took and fearful has been the penalty. The families of the men who have been killed are said to be in a destitute condition, and an appeal has been made for aid. They doubtless have a valid claim for damages against the Company, but matters of that kind are not, as a rule, speedily settled, and in the meantime, the public should not withhold the charity that is urgently required.

“The facts with regard to the Cumminsville explosion seem to show that something is needed to restrain ‘soulless corporations’ from taking fearful risks. Not only were the mills run much faster than usual on material 70 per cent more dangerous than green powder, but the machinery was in bad repair, and the superintendent did not consider it his business to see that it was at least oiled up."

The only doctor who served the inhabitants of Cumminsville wrote the following letter to the Times:

“To the Editor of the Times;

        SIR, - Relative to the condition of the bereaved families of the victims from this disaster, I wish to say a few words and place the facts before the public. The names of those killed were : Wm. Murray, George Mathers, William Heatherington, Henry Tibble and Daniel Dougherty.

“Wm. Murray leaves a widow and seven small children. They do not own the house they live in and have no means of support. George Mathers leaves a widow and five small children, They own no house and have no means of support. Wm. Heatherington leaves a widow aged mother and two sisters. He was their chief support. Henry Tibble leaves a widow and three small children, They have no means of support. She has been only eighteen months in the country, and her relatives in England depend on the parish. Daniel Dougherty leaves a widow, an aged mother-in-law and seven small children, the eldest being a girl of twelve years. They have no means of support. Albert Culp, the only survivor, and whom I am attending, has a wife and three small children. He is in a precarious state, and, should he live, will be unable to work in the coming winter.

“This makes, in all, thirty-four persons, nearly all of whom are in a destitute condition – twenty-one being small children, with the probability of their number being added to shortly. The inhabitants of this small village cannot offer those people help to any great extent, as they are people who require all they have for their own families, many of the men having been working in the powder mills, and who are now out of employment, with the likelihood of remaining so for some time to come.

“Prior to this awful calamity these people, although poor, were industrious, sober, Christian people. Should anything be given to these poor people, however small, it will indeed be considered a great boon, and such offerings will certainly be well made use of. Should any person see fit to contribute offerings to help them live over the coming winter, they can address letters to them containing the amounts.

An outdoor entertainment was organized to raise funds for the immediate aid of the families of the deceased:

“Pursuant to announcement, the promenade concert and display of fireworks took place at Mr. George Thomas Tuckett’s grounds, corner of King and Queen streets, and, considering the miserable weather, was very largely attended. The full band of the Thirteenth Battalion was present and played one of their best programmes. Prof. Hand & Co. (who never do anything by halves) set off a display of fireworks which would have done them credit under any circumstances, and notwithstanding the general dampness which prevailed, the pyrotechnics were brilliant and beautiful. A large number of balloons were sent up during the evening. The Virginia Jubilee Singers sang several selections, which greatly pleased the people.

“Altogether the entertainment gave the utmost satisfaction, and something like $250 was realized, which will at once be applied to the relief of the sufferers by the recent powder mills explosion. After the concert, all who took place were entertained at supper by Mr. Tuckett."

The day after the concert and fireworks display, the funds raised were ready to be delivered:

“On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. George T. Tuckett informed a Times representative that $226 was realized at the concert and fireworks exhibition at his grounds on the preceding evening. This is very good, when the weather which prevailed on Monday night is taken into consideration.

“Tomorrow, Mayor Mason, Mr. Tuckett and Mr. Breay (Prof. Hand’s partner) will drive to Cumminsville and distribute the money amongst the needy. Mr. Tuckett says that he has received several sums in aid of the sufferers from those who could not attend the concert, and others who wish to contribute now have the opportunity. Donations will be accepted by any of the gentlemen named above.