Explosion of the DuPont Powder Mills at Fontanet, Ind.
By R. C. Spohr
An explosion in the glazing mill of the DuPont Powder Company's plant at Fontanet, Ind., Tuesday morning, Oct. 15, was immediately followed by two others, the wreckage catching fire, and, an hour and a half later, reaching the powder magazine in which it is estimated 40,000 kegs of powder were stored, which also exploded. As a result of the four explosions twenty-five persons are dead, nearly 1,000 more or less seriously injured, and many modest homes destroyed. The property loss in Fontanet is estimated at nearly $100,000 and the powder company has sustained a loss of an equal sum. In view of the fact that the 1,200 citizens of Fontanet were all in perilous places during the explosion, the mercy of God in sparing the lives of all except twenty-five is worthy of especial note. The majority escaped with slight injuries. Nearly every home is now unsafe and the people are living in tents until other provision can be made for their welfare. The more seriously injured were taken to Terre Haute and are receiving excellent care in the hospitals at that place. That the Lord permits such disasters in various places for the purpose of turning the minds of the people from this world to Himself, can hardly be doubted. When a town of this size has eleven saloons and three churches, and infrequent services in some of these, the necessity for turning men's minds to the Lord is the more apparent. "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth." The word of the Lord contains many cheering promises for those in affliction. In view of the perilous times in which we live, many ought to heed the warnings which come from a loving Father thru calamities of all kinds, and turn to Him and follow in the footsteps of the meek and lowly Jesus. Truly the old world is one great powder magazine, and were it not for the restraining power exercised by the angels in Rev. 7:1-3, the magazine would go, bringing ruin to millions.