Pell City, AL Dynamite Explosion, Nov 1902 - 2 Killed, 10 Injured

TWO KILLED; TEN INJURED

Fifty Cases of Dynamite Exploded in Fire and Nearly Wrecks Southern Town.

Birmingham, Ala., November 17. -- A fire which broke out in the freight depot of the Southern Railway at Pell City, fifty-four miles east of here, at 4 o'clock this morning was followed by a terrific explosion. Two persons were killed and ten injured, two perhaps fatally.

J. D. HALL, a merchant of Pell City, and THOMAS WHITFIELD, brick mason from Cedartown, Ga., were killed.

N. B. SPARKS, former member of the Alabama Legislature and Republican candidate for Congress in the Seventh District, had an arm broken and internal injuries. He may die. JOHN GRIFFIN, and engineer, was terribly cut in the side by a piece of flying wood and will die.

When the fire was discovered the night operator gave the alarm by repeatedly firing a revolver. This aroused the citizens, who ran to the depot to help save the freight. The fact was overlooked that fifty cased of dynamite were stored in the place, and the explosion occurred while a large crown of citizens and railroad men were near the scene. Ten business houses, including the Pell City Hotel, were wrecked, causing a heavy loss. Two freight trains on the siding were gotten away in time to save them.

Brooklyn Eagle New York 1902-11-17
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!