The Winslow Mail

What was thought to have been an earthquake last Sunday afternoon was plainly felt in Winslow. The earth tremors, however, were caused by the explosion of 1,200 cases of powder stored in the mountain above Jerome, by the United Verde mine company. Jerome is probably 125 miles from this city.

A dispatch from Jerome says:

Windows throughout the business and residence sections of Jerome were shattered and total damage estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000 caused here at 2:30 o'clock when a powder magazine of the United Verde Copper company exploded with a blast felt for nearly 50 miles. Powder destroyed in the explosion which followed a fire of unknown origin at the magazine near Jerome, was valued at about $40,000.

No lives were lost or injuries reported from the blast, in which 1,200 cases of blasting powder belonging to the copper company exploded.

The explosion, which was so terrific as to be felt in Prescott, 55 miles distant, and Humboldt, had many freak angles. The detonation was not loud, but the force of the blast sent a column of dense black smoke into the air for 800 feet. The smoke then spread and settled over the lower levels of the town.

The force of the concussion blew off the walls and roof of a second magazine a few feet distant from the magazine which exploded but did not disturb in any manner, 1,200 cases of black powder within.

The force of the explosion played many pranks in Jerome, in that the plate glass windows were broken throughout the business district, but breakage was scattered. In some of the stores every plate glass window was shattered, while the windows of stores adjoining were intact. The same results appeared throughout the residential section of the town, the explosion shattering every glass window in one home, but not disturbing in any way the homes next to it.

In many of the stores and homes the explosion loosened plaster and caused it to fall. No one was injured by the falling glass or plaster.

The origin of the fire which caused the explosion is unknown. It was discovered several minutes before the explosion occurred, but efforts of company employees and officials then were confined to getting those in the vicinity of the magazine out of the danger zone. About eight service men were engaged in cleaning up the property of the company near the magazine, but were not hurt. The explosion did not throw up rocks, dirt or debris.

The magazine which exploded was located in the old office building of the company on top of the hill, 300 feet above the city of Jerome. Its property value was slight. The magazine was about one-half mile from the center of Jerome.