Jovite Powder Works (Site)

Here is an excerpt from the "Historical Lake Accotink Park" blog written by historian Mary Lipsey for the Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP):

The explosives manufacturing plant within Accotink Lake Park remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. Apparently it was built and located near Ditchley Station in 1884 or 1885. The Jovite Powder Works factory was located on property originally owned by the Lee family, who owned Ravensworth. It is believed that the Lees named Ditchley Station after their ancestral home in England.

It was reported in a newspaper that the plant was fully operational in 1885. It manufactured an explosive called Jovite which may have been a relatively new explosive mixture at the time. Note that jovite was still being reviewed in 1908 by Lt. Douglas MacArthur. Indications are the military wanted an explosive to put in artillery shells that did not blow up the artillery pieces.

Why was the plant where it was? It was near the old Orange and Alexandria Railroad at a forgotten station called Ditchley. What raw materials did it need or process? Apparently the plant was funded by prominent businessmen of the day.

But - it blew up in 1900. But - was that the end of it? More to come?


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

Here follows an excerpt from the Alexandria Gazette newspaper as printed on Friday, April 26, 1895 on page two:

FAIRFAX NOTES.
The Jovite Powder Works at Ditchley are now running to full capacity, and we are glad to see them employing most of their hands from this neighborhood.


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

Here follows an excerpt from the Richmond Times newspaper as printed on August 8, 1900 on page six:

EXPLOSION OF JOVITE.
Two Men Injured by it at Ditchley, Va.
(Special Dispatch to The Times.)
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 7. -- An explosion occurred this morning at Ditchley, on the Southern Railroad, a few miles south of Springfield in Fairfax county, completely wrecking two buildings used as storehouses for high explosives, known as jovite, and injuring two workmen. One was only slightly hurt, but one employee of the works named Manley, a young man, was, it is said, seriously injured, but it is thought that he may recover. He sustained horrible injuries. Doctors M. W. O'Brien and Arthur Snowden went out from this city shortly after the explosion to the scene of the accident. The explosion could not be accounted for. The material, which is manufactured at Ditchley, has been used largely for tunneling at New York.


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

Here follows an excerpt from the Washington Post newspaper as printed on August 8, 1900 on page four:

ALEXANDRIA NEWS IN BRIEF
Explosion at Jovite Factory Wrecks Building and Injures a Man.
Country Around Ditchley, Fairfax County, Shaken by the Shock -- Physicians Sent to the Scene -- A Democratic Flag Raising.

Washington Post Bureau
621 King Street
Alexandria, Va., Aug. 7.

An explosion occurred this morning at Ditchley, in Fairfax County, a short distance from this city. The factory at which jovite, an explosive of high power, is manufactured was completely wrecked, and a man named Manley, an employee of the place, was badly injured. A large quantity of jovite was being prepared for shipment, when, in some manner, it exploded. The shock was felt for quite a distance. Drs. M. W. O'Brien and Arthur Snowden, of this city, went to Ditchley to attend the wounded.


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

More about Jovite Manufacturing Company:

The company sold the land purchased in 1894 from the Lee's in two sales: Firstly on August 7, 1900 (July 21, 1899 cited in notary's statement) to Ida E., Sara A., Pearl I., Walter T. and Jones E. Seymour -- 10 acres. Coincidently, August 7, 1900 is the date of the explosion at Ditchley reported in the Washington Post (article on last page). In deeds, Ditchley is referred to variously as Ditchley Station and Ditchley Post Office) and secondly on December 3, 1901 to Samuel H. Hunt of Alexandria -- remainder of land (about 39 acres) with all buildings and facilities

Officers of the Jovite Manufacturing Company cited in deeds were: Z. Taylor Emery, President, who signed and had deeds notarized in Kings County (New York City), NY (Emery might have been named for "Old Rough and Ready" or maybe a relative) and John C. Poor, Secretary.

In 1894, the Fairfax County Court mailed copies of the deeds of purchase to the company at 10th and D Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

Googling and historical newspaper research found no definitive identification of the two men. However, the following appear possible candidates who might have joined in a business venture too short lived to merit mention in a bio.

Emery was a long-time resident and working professional in Kings County, NY. This from the book "Oen Thousand American Men of Mark of To-day", 1916 edition.

Z. Taylor Emery, Physician of Brooklyn, New York. He was born February 22, 1847 in Novi, Michigan. In 1874 he graduated from the Detroit Medical College; and in 1874 received the degree of M.D. from the Long Island College Hospital. For three years he was Commissioner of Health for the City of Brooklyn; and for seventeen years medical director of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company. He is regent of the Long Island College Hospital; has been regent of the Central Dispensary and Graham Institute for nine years; and attending physician of Kings County for fourteen years. He is a member of the Kings County Medical Society; New York State Medical Society; American Medical Association; and is the inventor of a cork pessary.


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

Here is an excerpt of the obituary of John C. Poor in Washington, as taken from the Washington Post newspaper on October 16, 1905:

JOHN C. POOR IS DEAD
Long Prominent in Business, Church, and Society.
Member of Noted Family.
Stricken Suddenly with Indigestion, Heart Failure Soon Ensues -- Veteran of the Civil War and for Twenty-four Years Treasurer of Washington Gas Light Company -- Death a Great Shock.

John C. Poor, treasurer of the Washington Gas Light Company, died suddenly of acute indigestion and heart failure at the Chevy Chase loop station of the Capital Traction Company shortly before noon yesterday.

Mr. Poor had gone out on his bicycle from his home at 1724 Connecticut Avenue about 10:30 o'clock. it is supposed, for a visit to the Chevy Chase Club. When near Cleveland Park Heights he was seized with sudden illness, and, stopping an incoming electric car, told the conductor he was very ill. The conductor assisted him on the car, taking his wheel also. On the way in Mr. Poor rapidly grew worse. He was attacked with violent nausea, and when the loop was reached was taken into the waiting-room in a semi-conscious condition. Dr. J. Ramsay Nevitt was summoned and the ambulance of the Emergency Hospital telephoned for, but on the physician's arrival, which was not over ten minutes after Mr. Poor had been taken from the car, he was pronounced dead. The body was removed to his residence in the ambulance.

Mrs. Poor, who had been summoned from church by a servant, who had received notification of Mr. Poor's illness, reached home just as the ambulance arrived.

His Death a Great Shock.
The shock of Ms. Poor's death was all the greater because his health, which was always good, had been still further improved by a three-months' vacation which he lately spent with his wife and son at Narragansett Pier, returning only about a fortnight ago.

Mr. Poor was born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, on October 27, 1844. His early life was spent in Hillsboro, Ohio, in the schools of which State he received his education. In 1863 he enlisted in the First Ohio Volunteers, of which regiment his brother, Frederick W. Poor, was major and subsequently colonel. Some months after his enlistment he was compelled to accept his discharge on account of an attack of typhoid fever which he contracted in the line of duty. On his recovery he at once re-enlisted and served till the end of the war. He engaged in farming for several years after the war, first near Manassas, Va., and later in Price George County, Md. He then came to Washington, and was graduated from the law school of the Columbian University in 1874. He practiced law for five years in the office of his cousin, Honorable William Webb. Here he was associated with E. J. Stellwagen and H. B. F. Macfarland, both struggling young attorneys in those days. In 1883 he was offered the position of treasurer of the Washington Was Light Company, which he accepted and held continuously up to the time of his death. he was elected a director of the company last spring.

Prominent in Church and Society.
Mr. Poor was prominent in social circles, being an active member of the Metropolitan, Chevy Chase, and Allbl clubs, serving some years ago as secretary and one of the board of governors of the first-named organization. He and his family were active members of Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church. In 1887 he married Miss Ella Wharton, of Philadelphia, daughter of Judge Francis Wharton, a lawyer of national prominence and author of many standard legal works. They have one child, Wharton, now in his first year at Harvard University, who is expected to arrive this morning.

Mr. Poor had many relatives in Washington, nearly all of whom are persons of prominence. John Sidney Webb and Henry Randall Webb, attorneys, are his cousins, as is also Colonel John Cassells, of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mrs. C. G. Glover, wife of the president of Riggs National Bank, is also closely related to him, and General Woodhull is a near relative. He was a nephew of Admiral Poor. He was a member of the Loyal Legion, this honor descending to him on the death of his brother, Colonel Frederick Poor, who has long been a member of that distinguished order.

The funeral will take place to-morrow. Further than this, nothing has been determined upon.


<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>
<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>•<•>

Here follows an excerpt from "Military Demolitions" a pamphlet written by Douglas MacArthur while he was a first lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1909:

Picric powders consist of pure picric acid, or that acid combined with a non-metallic base. They are non-sensitive to shock, unaffected by heat or cold, and can be produced in a granular form or fused into solid shapes. Their characteristic color is a yellowish sulphur tinge, and if pulverized they have a strong tendency to escape from their packages and discolor everything around them, men included.

Nevertheless, the most successful military explosives thus far introduced being to this class; for example, the French melinite, the English lyddite, the Austrian ecrasite, the Japanese shimose, and others.

Combinations of picric acid with metal bases, especially lead, iron, and potassium, or with oxides or nitrates of these metals, are dangerously sensitive. Premature explosions have resulted from handling iron shells loaded with picric acid. A special neutral coating is now used to prevent contact of the acid and the metal.

Jovite, an American powder of this class, seems to come as near meeting all military requirements as any explosive now known. It is unaffected by heat, cold, concussion or water. The gases of explosion are less deleterious than those of dynamite and produce no headaches. A recent authority on explosives says:

"Jovite has been tested by the ablest explosive experts and has never proved unsafe or unreliable. It would seem to fulfill all the requirements of an ideal explosive:" It may be had of strength equal to 20, 40 and 60% dynamite.