A Fatal Explosion

A Chinese Laundry in Anaconda Blown up and Three Chinamen Killed.

The explosion that occurred in Anaconda on the 14th inst., and news of which was given in Wednesday’s HERALD, is described as follows by a correspondent of the Butte Miner: A little after 3 o’clock yesterday morning a large explosion startled the whole town. This was followed, in four or five minutes, by another still louder, and, as it proved, more destructive in its character. The place was now thoroughly aroused and men flocked from every direction to the point at which the explosions occurred. Your correspondent was among the first upon the ground. A heart-sickening scene presented itself. Two dead Chinamen blown out of shape and beyond recognition, another in agonies of death, a fourth mortally wounded, and four others more or less injured were lying among the logs and debris of a completely demolished building.

The facts, as I gathered them, are as follows: The building, which is situated on Front street, two blocks below Main, was used as a ‘wash house,’ and at the time of the explosion contained eight Chinamen.

FIEND OR FIENDS

…in human shape had placed two sticks of giant powder under the building—one near its front and the other near its rear. The fuses to each were cut at different lengths, the one near the rear of the structure being the shorter. At this end of the building a Chinaman was over the tub washing clothes. At the first explosion the unfortunate heathen was blown out and struck the ground, dead. The others were sleeping in the front room of the building. One of them immediately rose and struck a match. He had just lighted a lamp when the second explosion occurred, killing him and wounding the others as above noted. Drs. Gleason and Hardenbrook, who were soon upon the ground, took one of the poor unfortunates into an adjoining building and while they were dressing his wounds his spirit took its everlasting flight to the bosom of Confucius. Another of the victims is probably dead by this time, while two others may live a day or two longer.

CORONER MCFARLAND came up from Deer Lodge on the evening train, to hold an inquest upon the remains of the dead Chinamen. At this writing, the verdict of the jury is not known. But it is questionable whether any facts will be elicited which may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators of this most dastardly and unprovoked murder. The building, and the one adjoining it, which is also run by Chinamen, are owned by Joe Long. The restaurant was not injured.