Volume 015-3 - July 1961 (2 pages)

dead. The report proving true. He was an old resident, as is Paul. The above is a copy of the original page of the old Grass Valley Daily “Tidings” ._ Extra, loaned to the Historical Society by Courtesy of Mr. Vernon J. Sincock, of erase Valley, for repreduction in this Buletin. (Since files of the ‘Tidings’, or of the Grass Valley “Daily Morning Union” are not available, we go to the files of the Nevada City “Daily Transcript’ for a ‘‘follow-up’’ on the above Disaster, of March 14, 1888. The “Transcript” of March 15 gives essentially the same story and details.) The Daily Transcript, Friday, March 16, 1888 — THE CORONER'S INQUEST Quoting the Tidings of Wednesday evening: An inquest was held by County Coroner Powell and a jury this afternoon to determine the facts in relation to the fatal disaster . . . . Following was the verdict: “The deaths resulted from an accidental explosion of giant powder.” It is almost universally conceded that the inquest was not an investigation, and the whole proceedings are bitterly condemned and are entirely unsatisfactory. The whole proceedings occupied but little more than two hours. DEATH OF MARTIN WILLIAM SHIELDS The Union has the following about Martin Shields, who died Wednesday afternoon from injuries received by the Empire explosion: ‘He was conscious almost up to the last, and bore his sufferings braveiy. Deceased came to California 23 years ayo, and had been a resident of this place the greater part of that time. At one time he lived in Nevada City. He leaves a wife and six children, three of whom are here, one married daughter in Iowa, and one son in Sacramento and one in Montana." WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION Editor Transcript:—It is a well-known fact that you can hold any explosive substance only to a certain degree of heat unless it has a vent. It is also a well-known fact that the powder in the dry house at the Empire mine was contained in the original cases with the tops screwed down and without a vent hole in the top to allow the heat to escape. Had these boxes been bored with a three-quarter inch auger at each end, and the heat and fumes have had a chance to escape, this accident never would have happened, as the powder in each box would have burnt without an explosion as a Roman candle does . . . Geo. E. Turner Transcripts, Saturday, March 17, 1888:— NOTES ON THE EMPIRE EXPLOSION The Tidings of Thursday evening has the following: Over $3,000 worth of clothing was destroyed by the explosion and fire at the Empire, the Miners being the ‘out and injured’ parties. There is a general feeling that the inquest into the death of young Trebilcox was too hasty and did not go deep enough. It is furthermore generally suspected that the explosion was due to carelessness or bad management, and a desire for a mor2 extended inquest into the matter exists. As we were desirous of publishing the testimony given at the inquest yesterday, we approached the Coroner today and requested permission to make a copy of the official record. Although public records of this nature should be open for inspection at all times, it did not suit the Coroner's convenience to grant the plea, he stating that another party had been promised the document. Daily Transcripts, Wednesday, March 21, 1888:— Underground work at the Empire mine has been resumed, and a temporary dryhouse has been fitted up to take the place of the one demolished by last week’s catastrephe. COMMENDABLE ACTION The Tidings says: ‘“‘W. B. Bourn, principal owner of the Empire mine, has offered to settle a liberal annuity upon Mrs. W. M. Shields, whose husband died from injuries sustained through the explosion. No doubt a proposition of similar nature has been submitted to the consideration of the Trebilcox family, the heads of which mourn for a son because of the catastrophe. Handsome caskets were provided for the dead men by the Empire company, and all other expenses attendant upon the funerals were likewise assumed. Both funerals were held last Friday, March 16. Those wounded in the explosion have also been provided for. (No further mention of the event found in the Transcript. It would be interesting to be able to go through the files of the “Tidings” and ‘‘The Union", since both being “local” papers probably would have had more details, besides editorial corn. ment. Ed.) Nevada County Historical Society Vol. 15, No. 3 THE DAILY TIDINGS EXTRA. GRASS VALLEY. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 14, 1888. 4 O'CLOCK. DISASTER At the Empire Mine. LOSS OF LIFE. Many Persons Injured. THE DRY HOUSE BLOWN TO ATOMS. Vigorite Powder Does the Work. Scenes and Incidents. Agony of Women and Children Whose Relatives Were Employed at the Empire. “The Empire Mine is afire’ were the words upon thousands of lips a few minutes after eight o'clock this morning when the familiar whistle was heard in rapid short blasts, the very sound of which conveyed the alarm to every breast. Hardly had the echo of the last blast died away when a sharp explosion that rattled every building in the city changed alarm into direct fear and dread. These who had loved ones at the mine were as paralyzed and vainly endeavored to supplicate the All-Seeing in behalf of their dear ones. Involuntary prayers were in every heart, even the most callous being empowered with a sensation betoking the presence of the Invisible. Women and children wept, screamed and swooned, moaning even in unconsciousness. The force of the shock left no hopes that Death had not attended. With the sounding of the whistle all eyes turned in the direction of the mine. The whistle stopped. A volume of smoke was seen. Instantly followed the explosion, a sheet of flame leaping upward fully a hundred feet, fragmentary materials surmounting all. Hundreds started for the scene, on horseback, buggy, wagon and on foot. DEAD, DYING, AND INJURED Samuel Charles Trebilcox, a lad of eighteen years, was killed outright, a flying timber crushing his skull as though the bone and flesh were so much paper. He was otherwise bruised and cut. William Shields will die. His head is frightfully gashed, at least three ribs broken, and numerous minor hurts, including a deep cut over the left eye, struck by debris. John Paul is seriously injured internally and will no doubt die. Mercifully these three men comprise the list of dead and the dying though many others were cut and bruised by flying missles and numerous narrow escapes from instant death are noted and marveled at. Among the injured (stightly), sustaining cuts and bruises are: James Colton, aged about 55 years, L. Beardan, a lad of twenty, Nicholas Hall, elderly, Gordon Morgan, aged about 21 years, L. Duval, a young man. CAUSE OF EXPLOSION Today was “‘blasting’’ day in the mine and some 200 pounds of Vigorit powder and a box of cartridges were early this morning taken from the storehouse to the “dry”, where the men change their clothing. Here it was deposited in a corner, many feet distant from the nearest of the four stoves which warm the 140’ x 58’ building, so that it could be sent under ground expeditiously. The regular miners and the tributers, numbering one hundred and fifty, were safely

dead. The report proving true. He was an old resident, as is Paul. The above is a copy of the original page of the old Grass Valley Daily “Tidings” ._ Extra, loaned to the Historical Society by Courtesy of Mr. Vernon J. Sincock, of erase Valley, for repreduction in this Buletin. (Since files of the ‘Tidings’, or of the Grass Valley “Daily Morning Union” are not available, we go to the files of the Nevada City “Daily Transcript’ for a ‘‘follow-up’’ on the above Disaster, of March 14, 1888. The “Transcript” of March 15 gives essentially the same story and details.) The Daily Transcript, Friday, March 16, 1888 — THE CORONER'S INQUEST Quoting the Tidings of Wednesday evening: An inquest was held by County Coroner Powell and a jury this afternoon to determine the facts in relation to the fatal disaster . . . . Following was the verdict: “The deaths resulted from an accidental explosion of giant powder.” It is almost universally conceded that the inquest was not an investigation, and the whole proceedings are bitterly condemned and are entirely unsatisfactory. The whole proceedings occupied but little more than two hours. DEATH OF MARTIN WILLIAM SHIELDS The Union has the following about Martin Shields, who died Wednesday afternoon from injuries received by the Empire explosion: ‘He was conscious almost up to the last, and bore his sufferings braveiy. Deceased came to California 23 years ayo, and had been a resident of this place the greater part of that time. At one time he lived in Nevada City. He leaves a wife and six children, three of whom are here, one married daughter in Iowa, and one son in Sacramento and one in Montana." WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION Editor Transcript:—It is a well-known fact that you can hold any explosive substance only to a certain degree of heat unless it has a vent. It is also a well-known fact that the powder in the dry house at the Empire mine was contained in the original cases with the tops screwed down and without a vent hole in the top to allow the heat to escape. Had these boxes been bored with a three-quarter inch auger at each end, and the heat and fumes have had a chance to escape, this accident never would have happened, as the powder in each box would have burnt without an explosion as a Roman candle does . . . Geo. E. Turner Transcripts, Saturday, March 17, 1888:— NOTES ON THE EMPIRE EXPLOSION The Tidings of Thursday evening has the following: Over $3,000 worth of clothing was destroyed by the explosion and fire at the Empire, the Miners being the ‘out and injured’ parties. There is a general feeling that the inquest into the death of young Trebilcox was too hasty and did not go deep enough. It is furthermore generally suspected that the explosion was due to carelessness or bad management, and a desire for a mor2 extended inquest into the matter exists. As we were desirous of publishing the testimony given at the inquest yesterday, we approached the Coroner today and requested permission to make a copy of the official record. Although public records of this nature should be open for inspection at all times, it did not suit the Coroner's convenience to grant the plea, he stating that another party had been promised the document. Daily Transcripts, Wednesday, March 21, 1888:— Underground work at the Empire mine has been resumed, and a temporary dryhouse has been fitted up to take the place of the one demolished by last week’s catastrephe. COMMENDABLE ACTION The Tidings says: ‘“‘W. B. Bourn, principal owner of the Empire mine, has offered to settle a liberal annuity upon Mrs. W. M. Shields, whose husband died from injuries sustained through the explosion. No doubt a proposition of similar nature has been submitted to the consideration of the Trebilcox family, the heads of which mourn

for a son because of the catastrophe. Handsome caskets were provided for the dead men by the Empire company, and all other expenses attendant upon the funerals were likewise assumed. Both funerals were held last Friday, March 16. Those wounded in the explosion have also been provided for. (No further mention of the event found in the Transcript. It would be interesting to be able to go through the files of the “Tidings” and ‘‘The Union", since both being “local” papers probably would have had more details, besides editorial corn. ment. Ed.) Nevada County Historical Society Vol. 15, No. 3 THE DAILY TIDINGS EXTRA. GRASS VALLEY. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 14, 1888. 4 O'CLOCK. DISASTER At the Empire Mine. LOSS OF LIFE. Many Persons Injured. THE DRY HOUSE BLOWN TO ATOMS. Vigorite Powder Does the Work. Scenes and Incidents. Agony of Women and Children Whose Relatives Were Employed at the Empire. “The Empire Mine is afire’ were the words upon thousands of lips a few minutes after eight o'clock this morning when the familiar whistle was heard in rapid short blasts, the very sound of which conveyed the alarm to every breast. Hardly had the echo of the last blast died away when a sharp explosion that rattled every building in the city changed alarm into direct fear and dread. These who had loved ones at the mine were as paralyzed and vainly endeavored to supplicate the All-Seeing in behalf of their dear ones. Involuntary prayers were in every heart, even the most callous being empowered with a sensation betoking the presence of the Invisible. Women and children wept, screamed and swooned, moaning even in unconsciousness. The force of the shock left no hopes that Death had not attended. With the sounding of the whistle all eyes turned in the direction of the mine. The whistle stopped. A volume of smoke was seen. Instantly followed the explosion, a sheet of flame leaping upward fully a hundred feet, fragmentary materials surmounting all. Hundreds started for the scene, on horseback, buggy, wagon and on foot. DEAD, DYING, AND INJURED Samuel Charles Trebilcox, a lad of eighteen years, was killed outright, a flying timber crushing his skull as though the bone and flesh were so much paper. He was otherwise bruised and cut. William Shields will die. His head is frightfully gashed, at least three ribs broken, and numerous minor hurts, including a deep cut over the left eye, struck by debris. John Paul is seriously injured internally and will no doubt die. Mercifully these three men comprise the list of dead and the dying though many others were cut and bruised by flying missles and numerous narrow escapes from instant death are noted and marveled at. Among the injured (stightly), sustaining cuts and bruises are: James Colton, aged about 55 years, L. Beardan, a lad of twenty, Nicholas Hall, elderly, Gordon Morgan, aged about 21 years, L. Duval, a young man. CAUSE OF EXPLOSION Today was “‘blasting’’ day in the mine and some 200 pounds of Vigorit powder and a box of cartridges were early this morning taken from the storehouse to the “dry”, where the men change their clothing. Here it was deposited in a corner, many feet distant from the nearest of the four stoves which warm the 140’ x 58’ building, so that it could be sent under ground expeditiously. The regular miners and the tributers, numbering one hundred and fifty, were safely