Explosion at the post office, Pearl builds up

Reprint of this story from the August 5, 1904 issue of The Grand Encampment Herald brought to you courtesy of Grandma’s Cabin, Encampment, Wyoming. Preserving History - Serving the Community.

BIG FIRE AT

RIVERSIDE

Post Office and Miss Peebles Store Consumed -- Exson Badly Burned

An explosion of gasoline in the building occupied by the Riverside post office early Saturday morning caused the biggest conflagration in the history of that place and frightfully burned Postmaster A. B. Exson.

The cause of the explosion is a mystery. Mr. Exson was pouring gasoline from a five-gallon can into a smaller can, and noticed that the gas fumes were stifling. He feared an explosion and rushed to the office door to let in air and then stepped into the post office proper to secure the money. He had just pushed open the door and entered when the explosion took place, the force of the explosion blowing out the roof.

There was no fire of any kind in the house at the time, the gasoline stove in the kitchen having been turned out a few minutes before.

Mr. Exson’s clothing was on fire and he cried for help. Mrs. Exson rushed in and threw her apron about her husband, extinguishing the flames. Mr. Exson was badly burned about the arms, face and back, and was removed to the Riverside hotel, where Dr. Mapes cared for him. The latest reports are that he is still suffering great pain.

The Exson family lost just about everything they possessed of worldly goods. There was no time to save anything. The mail, post office money, fixtures and supplies were burned. Miss Peebles store adjoining the post office on the east was gutted by the fire, only a portion of the stock being saved. The blacksmith shop also sustained some loss.

Many people were attracted to the fire, but owing to the absence of fire protection it was impossible to successfully combat the flames. The post office is being continued in the old Morgan place. There was no insurance on any of these buildings. Friends at Riverside and Encampment have made up a purse for Mr. and Mrs. Exson.

LIVELY DAYS AT PEARL

Lumber and Machinery Arriving for Smelter

–New Brick Yard

The Pearl smelter enterprise is not lagging. On the other hand, the indications are that it will not be long before the new plant will be much in evidence.

There are about thirty men employed excavating for the main buildings and doing other preparatory work. P. K. Clark, the saw mill man, is under contract to deliver 10,000 feet of lumber every day, commencing August 1, and is under heavy forfeit in case he fails to do so. Mr. Clark began to bring in lumber on the appointed date and is rushing the delivery to meet his contract. This is a very encouraging sign, especially when the excavations are so nearly completed.

It is expected that the excavations will be finished by the middle of next week, in which case the superstructure of the main building will soon be going up. Geo. Monilas will have charge of the force of carpenters.

The barn at Pearl is finished, and also a blacksmith shop, 20x40 feet in dimensions, which has been erected near the smelter site. The new roads are finished, and several wagon loads of machinery have already arrived and been unloaded.

The latest move is that of establishing a brick yard. C. J. Smith, of Encampment, has the contract to erect a brick stack and dust chamber, that will require about 125,000 bricks. There is an abundance of excellent clay close to the smelter site, and the brick will be made practically “on the ground.” Mr. Smith will also manufacture the brick to be used in the foundations, etc. at the works.

It is the intention of the National Mining & Milling Co., builders of the Pearl smelter, to operate the works by electricity, to be generated by the water in Big Creek, which flows down the valley only a few miles from the smelter site. The power station will be located some distance from the works. The lighting of the town of Pearl will probably be taken up as soon as the electric plant is installed.

Harold Wilson, general superintendent in charge of the construction work, is one of western America’s most able mining engineers and metallurgists. His long record in Colorado, where he has done excellent work, is highly commendable, and under his supervision the Pearl project is sure to be properly installed so that it will combine all the good features of matte smelting and milling.

Pearl has copper mines; some fairly well developed, some mere prospects. The richest ore as yet found along the border of the two states comes from Pearl, excepting perhaps the Doane Rambler or Elk Mountain ores. The establishment of a matte smelter, and its successful operation for a short period, will make the Pearl section a lively and productive mining camp.