Anderson County, Texas - News: Palestine, Texas, 1886 ---------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Don R Brownlee USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ---------------------------------------------------------- From New York Times June 1, 1886 Page 2: A Disastrous Explosion Two Men Killed and Nine Others Seriously Injured PALESTINE, Texas, May 31. - A disastrous explosion occurred in the roundhouse of the International and Great Western shops here about 10 o'clock this morning, instantly killing two men, wounding nine, and doing great damage to the building. Fireman J. T. Fultz was engaged in cleaning locomotive No. 720 preparatory to her going out. Stepping from the engine, in company with Engineer Henry Rhody, they went to the side of the roundhouse for a drink of water. Fultz insisted on his chief drinking first. This courtesy saved the fireman's life, for Rhody thereby reached the locomotive first, just in time to be hurled into eternity by an explosion which shook every house in the city, and was plainly heard six miles from town. The tremendous shock brought the 800 workmen out of the shops in a twinkling. They rushed to the spot and began work of rescue. The roof of the great building immediately where the locomotive stood was entirely demolished, leaving a hole 40 feet square. The walls of the building are also shattered and dangerous. Under the debris of iron and timber were found the mangled remains of Engineer Rhody and Machinist D. W. Riggs. Not far from the locomotive stood a group of four engineers, who were all dangerously injured. Engineer Milton Goodrich was badly scalded and had his left leg broken near the ankle. Engineer James Healy was struck by flying fragments of the boiler. His right leg was broken and he was terribly injured on the head and stomach. Engineer Robert Gibson was seriously scalded about the neck and chest, and has his shoulder dislocated. Albert Lang, a wiper, was struck on the face and head by a fragment, Engineer Dickerson, George Radford, and Frank Ward and Machinist McCloud were all injured, but not seriously. Half a dozen other employees about the round house were struck by falling timbers, but their injuries are not severe.