A Deadly Fourth of July Salute
A Seattle sailor was killed instantly in Tacoma when a cannon misfired during holiday celebrations, raising questions about safety and the competence of local cannon operators.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Tacoma, July 4.—A fatal accident was the first feature of Tacoma's Fourth of July celebration. Louis Gobeil, aged 25, presumably of Seattle, had on his person nearly fifty prize tickets issued by saloons in that city. He volunteered to assist Police Officer Bixler in firing the 4 a. m. salute of forty guns. In some way the powder in the cannon exploded prematurely. Ramrod and powder belched from the cannon's mouth, striking Gobeil in the neck and face. He was nearly decapitated and died instantly. It is believed that the rapidity with which the cannon had been discharged would not heat it sufficiently to explode the powder, without some air having been allowed to enter the breach through the vent. Bixler had his thumb on the vent, and either the heated condition of the cannon or Bixler's thumb being partially removed probably caused the explosion. Gobeil was a member of the Sailors' or Mariners' Union.
“In some way the powder in the cannon exploded prematurely. Ramrod and powder belched from the cannon's mouth, striking Gobeil in the neck and face.”
Public fireworks and cannon salutes were once a volatile part of American independence celebrations, often leading to tragic accidents that eventually prompted stricter city oversight. Today, these historical records of industrial accidents serve as a grim reminder of how public safety culture has evolved in urban environments.
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