Dreadfull Error

Article Taken from the Delphos Daily Herald November 21, 1898.

Portsmouth, O., Nov. 21.- Quarryman George Washington is dying, two of his children are dead and his wife and another child disfigured for life by the accidential explosion of blasting powder.

The accident occured at Union Mills, two miles west of Portsmouth. It seems that Ferguson, in hunting for wood to build a fire, found a powder can, apparently filled with coal. He took this home and started a fire. Instantly there was a loud explosion, which tore a great hole in the house, one end being completly blown out. Ferguson, with his wife, a 3-month-old baby in her arms, and daughters, Cynthia, 11; Iva, 6, and Gertrude, 2, were grouped about the stove. They were knocked down by the explosion and their clothing set on fire by the flames as the fire blow over them.

They were rescued by neighbors and taken to the county infirmary. They were in a sad plight. Ferguson was burned about the face and hands and injured internally by a piece of the stove striking him. He cannot live. Cynthia Ann Ferguson was burned about the chest, face and hands and died soon after. Iva was also burned and the face and hands and inhaled the flames. She also died from the effects of her injuries. Gertrude was burned in the face and head, and Mrs. Ferguson, who was also badly burned, will recover. The infant child was protected by the mother and was therefore unharmed.