Show HOW FIREMEN WERE HURT Shocked by Explosion and Hurt by Flying Debris Assistant Chief Edward McCarthy Capt J W Love and Firemen Otto Wltbock and Amos Moreton were at the time of the explosion a short distance dis-tance inside the building havlng entered en-tered through the first door southof the main entrance Chief McCarthy was In the act of breaking the metal lock of the door when the terrific shock lifted him from his feet and sent him with great force through the doorway across the sidewalk and against the frame structure built along the street for the Elks fair The others were forced back against the walls and were badly cut by flying debris severe Injuries being received by Capt Love The three men managed to grope their way out through one of the entrances Assistant Chief McCarthy had regained re-gained his feet and was Informed that It was thought that Moreton was still in the building With several others of the firemen he started toward the door for the purpose rescuing the Imperiled Im-periled fireman when to the relief of all Morelon apleared on the outside having gotten out through n doorway at the south part of the structure NATURE OF INJURIES Chief McCarthy was suffering from an ugly gash on the forehead over his right eye and from 0 deep wound in his left leg the blood flowing profusely from both the wounds which had been caused by debris hurled by the explosion I explo-sion Capt Love was found to ho mif bring from a gash on his right hand which had severed the main artery while Moreton and Wltbeck were cut less severely about the hands and arms The four men at once climbed Into a buggy and drove to Smiths drug store where a summons was sent for a doctor tor By the time Dr Giesy reached the Injured men the floor about the assistant assist-ant chief and apt Love was a pool of blood Chief McCarthy finally became so weak from loss of blood that he feIn fe-In 1 faint from which he did not recover re-cover until after his wounds had been sewed up Four stitches were necessary to close the gaping wound over his right eye and a similar number was required re-quired to staunch the flow of blood 01 I from the wound In his leg When the firemen had been attended they started back for duty at the fire making light of their hurts I was evident that the assistant chief was in no condition for further duty but he insisted upon going back to the blaze despite the remonstrance of friends For over two hours he worked energetically about the fire helping to direct the work of fighting the blaze and assisting the men to carry out the orders Finally It became evident to Chief Devlne that McCarthy was nearly exhausted and barely nblo to stand and the Chief accordingly directed him to go home lie was assisted to his residence at 236 West Second North street by l Dr < Wltcher who placed the Injured man In bed and gave directions that he be keot thereIn there-In telling of his experience In the explosion ex-plosion Assistant Chief McCarthy said last night that his own life and the lives of the men who were with him In the building were In all probability saved by the fact that the force of the explosion explo-sion was diverted somewhat by the walls of a sort of hallway In which all were standing at the time I was standing n few feet In the t rear of the other men and had Just raised up my ax to break the lock of tho door In order or-der to get it I open so that we could get out without any delay in tho event that the smoke became too stifling We were engaged in running a line of hose Into tho room and had gotten inside by breaking the glass out of the door and climbing through the opening I was thinking of anything else when there was 0 loud report and J was sent through the door across the sidewalk and < against the board structure In the street I felt something strike me at the time ot the explosion but what It could have been I havent the least idea My helmet was smashed by the blow which hit mq with great force but did not cause any great amount of pain Tho wound In my leg pained the i most I It is my opinion continued the injured In-jured man that the explosion was on the first floor rather than in the basement base-ment and we were struck by the tail end the main force passing to the south of where we were standing i I Y hardly I believe that powder was the cause of the explosion though of course i dont Know thourh I did not cld smell any powder and If there was any the fumes of it escaped my nostrils It Js not true that we were making a search for powder at the time of the explosion wc were merely making our way with a line of hose to a point or vantage I wns suggested that there might be powder In the building and in order to find as to where It was located In I the event thG1 > c was any Chief De vine had gone In search of Capt Work man who made a recent Inspection of tho business blocks of the city The fad < undoubtedly saved the Chief from being Injured for he was working in the building with us before he went In search of Capt Workman to find out about the powder Chief McCarthy Is Inclined to make light of his Injuries saying lmtho will be able to report for duty today However Dr Wltcher who Is attending him says that he will be unable to be about for several days aa he is very weak from the IOSJB of blood Capt Love and Firemen WKbucjk and Morcton say that the explosion came i I with bewildering force sending them I back i taKHlnsL the walls and showering dobrls Oer them In liberal quantities lberal quantles All the hands escaped and with arms painful cuts about I |