Summit, PA House Powder Explosion, Feb 1850

AWFUL CALAMITY.

One of the most melancholy and heart rending accidents ocurred [sic] at the Summit on Thursday morning last, that we have ever been called upon to record. The dwelling house of MR. IGNATIUS ADAMS was totally destroyed by the explosion of twelve kegs of powder, which he had stored in one of the rooms, by which his wife was instantly killed, and DEMETRIUS A. LUCKET, MISS MARTHA LUCKET, MISS ____ MAHON, a German named HOOVER, and a child of MR. ADAMS, was burned and mangled in a most shocking manner. MR. ADAMS, although present, was but slightly injured. DEMETRIUS A. LUCKET and German have both since died. There are slight hopes of the two young ladies and the child surviving.

The explosion occurred about six o'clock in the morning. The powder was ignited by the German, HOOVER, who went into the room where it was deposited for the purpose of procuring some of it with which to blast stone coal. In extinguishing the candle which he carried in his hand, it is supposed that he blew a spark into the powder. As it may be supposed, by the explosion of so large a quantity of powder, the house was a total ruin, and it is said those who witnessed it, that the scene presented was one of the most heart rending description. It was with considerable difficulty that the sufferers were extricated from the mass of ruins.

The wife of MR. ADAMS, DEMETRIUS A. and MISS MARTHA LUCKET were all the children of JOHN LUCKET, ESQ., of Washington township, who has the sympathies and sincere condolence of his numerous friends in this his severe affliction. The sufferers were all respectable members of society, and in the prime of life, and this sad occurrence which has befallen them has cast a deep gloom over the whole community.

MRS. ADAMS was buried on Friday last, and her funeral was attended by a very large concourse of people. --- Ebensburg Sentinel, February 14.

The Erie Observer Pennsylvania 1850-02-23
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!