Portage, PA Powder Explosion, Jul 1898

BLOWN TO ATOMS

TERRIBLE DEATH OF BROTHERS CAUSED BY EXPLOSION

Spark From a Pipe Set Off Nitro-Glycerine and Gunpowder---One Killed, Other Will Die.

Special to The Inquirer.

ALTOONA, July 7.----This afternoon while Nicola Mignogue and his brother Charles were awaiting an eastbound train at Portage, they sat down on a nearby tool chest, containing a considerable quantity of nitro-glycerine[sic] and gun powder. Charles lit a pipe to enjoy his after-dinner smoke, when a spark dropped into the chest.

The loud roar of an explosion followed and when the bystanders ran to the spot Nicola was the only one to be found. He was in a terribly mangled condition, having lost both his arms, his head being nearly torn off, and his legs blown full of bits of wood. He was brought on the Philadelphia express to this city and taken to the hospital, where his injuries were pronounced fatal.

A party of relatives collected the remains of Charles, scattered over a wide area, and gave them interment at Portage.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA 8 Jul 1898
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!