Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-09-20
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Particulars of the Destruction of the
Maumee Valley Mills, at New Haven,
Ind. : Six Persons Killed and
Wounded,

Maumee Valley Mills, at New Haver.
Ind. : Six Persons Killed and
Wounded.
From the Evansville Journal
| At an early hour our city was filled
with the horrifying report that the
boiler of the Maumee Valley Mills,
situated at New Haven, six miles from
Fort Wayne, had exploded, killing the
two proprietors and the engineer also
wounding three of the employees. A
special reporter was Immediately
despatched to the scene of disaster, and
arrived about three hours after the ex-
plosion. On entering the quiet town
of New Haven. the people were stand
ing in seperate groups, discussing the
horrible accident that had befallen their
village. Strong men were walking tho
streets weeping and bewailing the loss
of their friends and neighbors, who, a
few hours before greeted them with a
cordiality such as only friends and
neighbors in small places know how to
appreciate.
The Maumee Valley mills are located
in the village Of New Haven, on Main
street, near the corner of Broadway.
They were erected in the year 1864 :;
have passed through the proprietorshlp
of several different parties, and have
always been regarded as turning out
the best flour in Allen county Charles
and Louis Lepper, under the firm
name of Lepper & Bro, were the pro-
prietors at the time of the disaster, and
victims of the explosion.
The mill was a frame structure, sub
III
situated on the east side of the main
building.
Some time ago it was decided to put
in a new heater, and the material was
furnished by firm in this city. The
Messrs. Lippert superintended the
work of putting it in, which they COM
pleted on Monday, August 28th. The
new heater was at first used on Friday,
September 1st, and apparently worked
we'll
From the statement of Abraham
truth, who was employed in the ca
pacity of miller, we have the only solu-
tion Of the accident that occurred. He
tells us that the engine had been run
ming a half hour when the engineer, A.
B. Carr, reported that the pumps did
not work well. He went into the en-
gine-room and noticed that only SO
pounds of steam was on, when 1t was
shut down. Charles and Louis Lepper
were slso in the englne-room at the
time. He also noticed that the slides
were heated and fast, and when he left
and went in the mill Mr.. Carr was en-
gagged ii loosening the slides. He
thinks it could not have been over o
half-minute from the time he entered
the second floor of the mill till the ex-
plosion took place He also stated
that they carried so to 70 pounds OF
steam To run ofie burr.
The explosion occurred few mins
utes after 7o'clock q. n., and Ill q short
time the awe-stricken villagers gather
ed around the scene of disaster. The
statement of Allen III. Dougall, at the
coroner's inquest, which we append be-
low; is clear and vivid description of
the accident aid tile recovery of the
bodies of the unfortunate Victims.
Never in our reportorial experience,
have we witnessed q more complete
wreck of buildings, or more terrible
mangling of bodies, than caused by
the explosion just instanced. The body
of Chas. Lepper was found under the
debris of ths eneine-room the right
leg torn off; and horribly tflangled,
With his brother Louis, two years ago,
Ea took up his residence lii New Haven;
and was regarded as 6nB of the up
right, honest, and industrious 1iien Of
the community. He was "a years of
age, and leaves wife and five children
l. !,
Louis Lepper was three years the
junior of his brother Charles, being
about 81 years of age. He also leaves
behind him sorrowing wife and four
ctiildrens
4 vile, t;Wso iiEtie toys; ahd girl
mourn the sad fate of A. B. Carr, the
engineer, the recovery of whose man
gled remains is described in the tes-
timony of Mr. Dougall Mr.. Carr was
q good citizen, and on his daily labor
depended the support of his family.
He who " tempereth the wind to the
shorn lamb will protect them in their
sorrow ard adfetsity.
Of the wounded We hav5 bit q few
words to say. Abraham Fruth, the
miller, has been In the employ Of the
Messrs Lepper since the first day of
August last. He was slightly wounded
on the left side of the face and hip.
VIII be around in few days.
Sherman r. Lewis, o boy about Is
years old, son Of Harvey ". Lewis,
commenced work III the mill last Mon
day. He received o severe. blow ON the
Let te1nrle; aid tile left side of his face
was badly scalded. Not dangerous
Ephraim Sternberg, aged IA years,
commenced work the same day as Sher-
man Lewis. The left side Of his face is
badly injured, and his face scalded. He
is son of Mrs Phoebe Ann Sternberg,
widow, and her main support.
SO terrible was the explosion that q
piece of the boiler, Weighing $50
pounds, was thrown at least 200 yards,
and went crashing through the kitchen
attached to the residence of MIR. Rogers,
foTriefly tatt owner of the mill.