The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-09-23
Written for The Spirit of Democracy ]
From Sunsbury Township.
]. SrprrMnrR l0 I273.

1f- Ha SEPTEMBER 10, 1873. r
ED. SPIRIT: l am requested by some
of the readers Of the SPIRIT to furnish
you with full and authentic account Of
the terriblee xplosion and utter destruc
ton Of the portable saw mill owned by
Messrs. Akin, Douglas and Mellott, Of
Jerusalem. tod sIf
These gentlemen had.s time since,
set their mill, and sawed number of
logs near Mr. Archibald Coles mills, in
Belmont County, on the north branch of
Captina.about six miles south ofsBarnes-
vile They haG nearly finished their
work for the time, having only or 4
logs to saw, when the boiler burst with
mostterrific explosion. killing two men
instantly and slightly woundingsa third
This fatal accident occurred on Saturday.
September 6, 1873, between II and II
o'clock, causing deafening report which
was heard for miles around Mr. David
Douglas, one of the owners of the mill,
and Mr. John Simmons, off bearer, were
killed instantly, and Mr.. Wilson Mel
lott,one of the owners Of the mill.receiv-
ed a slight wound in his jaw.
A satisfactory explanation requires an
explanation of the situation of the mill
The mill was set in little ravine exten-
ding nearly north and south, opening into
Captina on the north The engine and
mill were nearly parallel to the little
stream that courses down this ravlne,
with the head of the boiler southwark, or
toward the head of the ravine
At the time the accident happened
Douglas, the engineer, was at the head
of the boiler in the act of shoveling chips
into the fire The head, of the boiler was
blown out and carried to considerable
distance up the ravine, carrying Douglas
with it, and many other fragments
Douglas was carried about two or
three rods when he was brought in con
tact with large pile of lumber, where
he was picked up dreadfully mangled -
One leg was torn off, neer the hip, and
thrown forty or fifty yards, where it lodg-
ed in the brush. His head was mashed
into a jelly and his brains bespattered
against the pile of boards, where con-
siderable portion of them are yet to be
seen. Besides this, his hands were very
much fractured. - -v2 9!a
Simmons lived not more than five min
utcs, but never spoke or showed any
signs of life except to breathe little
MellottJ was thrown about fifteen or
twenty feet, bat lit in the saw dust, and
consequently, did not receive serious in
jury.
Mr.. Aaron Akin, ones.of the owners
of the mill, was at the saw with his hand
on the levers, one or both of which were
carried away, hut he received no iHjaTy
Mr. Robert Hess and Mr. James Phil.
lips, who were hired hands, were in the
log yard and we're not injured Besides
these Mr.. William Cole and Mr. Alfred
Harold were but few rods from the
mill with yoke Of oxen, and they. with
the oxen, were covered up with2rubhish
and fragments of boards, but neither the
men nor tue oxen received any injury.
A large. fragment Of the lboiler was
thrown about 200 yards up the hill, east
ward, and struck in a tobacco pstch.-
This fragment was. seen to soar high
above the tops of the highest trees. An.
other large fragment was carried in the
same direction little more than half the
distance, and was folnd in the Woods
A portion of the boiler about five feet
in leogth, aud containing all the heating
pipes, and maintaining its original form
was carried about 400 feet down the ra
vine, cutting off a walnut tree about 1(
inches in diameter, and lodging in the
ravihe. The cylinder and part OF the
steam chest was thrown into the log.
yard and struck near the feet of Robert
Hess. Tie saw was left uninjured and
continued its revolutions after the explo
sion. 4..a,. -a. s
| Nothing but fragmentsof the boiler OIL
en- Inc were left, even part of the foun
dalion was carried away. Your CORES
pondent was on the ground soon afeJ
the explosion and learned these particu
lars from reliable sources. Scientific and
experienced engineers are giving such
various opinions. that your correspon-
dent will not venture an opinion as to the
cause of this explosion. Yours truly,
G.