New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-23
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Explosion Of the Boiler at Oien & Burke's
Saw NIill-Eour Men Killed and Three
Wounded.

Saw NIill-Four Men Killed and Three
Wounded.
One of the most shocking and frightful
accidents that has ever occurred in this
country took place last Wednesday morn
ing. During the still hours of the fore
noon distant rumbling noise issued from
direction on the lake, and awakened an
alarming apprehension IN the community
of Providence and surrounding vicinity.
Fears of a serious nature were entertained,
and the conviction magnifed at every mo.
ment. Finally, a dispatched messenger
from the country arrived, and revealed the
terrible news. This revelation circulated
from mouth to mouth, and q large body of
people hastened to the scene of destruc-
ton, and as the report spread, greater
became the CONSERVATION, and the road
leading to the mill was one mass of
human beings. bent on one mission,
and all inwardly fearing . friend
would be of the number 80 hurriedly
whirled into eternity. The sun was pour
ing hot, IN fact, the warmest day Of the
season, and the distance to the mill is esti.
mated at one mile from town. Arriving on
the ground . gloomy sight attracted our
attention. Here and there were scattered
fragments and large pieces of machinery,
revealing the damage occasioned by the
explosion. A large assemblage Of persons
were discussing and commenting on the sad
accident, but from no one could we CLEAN
on heartrending and sickening scene was
presented to our view. The bodies of three
men, mutilated and ecalded, lay on the
grass "dead to all that was dear on earth"
Uncovering the sheet thrown over their
mangled forms we recognized the face
and features of Mr.. A. Oiens. An eye
witness states that he was hurled distance
Of fifty yards. striking in his rapid flight
the house built as Q bedroom for one of the
employees. By the side Of Mr.. Oien was q
huge portion of the boiler, which it is sup
posed caused his instant death The room
would have been shattered to pieces but for
the striking of this iron abreast OF the sills.
In the small bedroom were confined Mr.. r.
C. Burke the other partner, and Mr.. K. X.
Robbins, spectator, whom we learn was
friend of the firm, and in riding by on
horseback delayed q few moments to chat
with Mr.. Burke, and thus met his sad fate.
He fingered two hours, suffering internally
from the effect of steam, which pervaded
his whole system, then quietly passed to
another world.
The survivors, Mr.. Burke, Jasper Hughes,
and colOred man whose name We could
not learn, are recovering from their inja-
ries, but Mr.. Burke will be compelled to
remain in bed many days, severe and
painful cut Vu LILO uOAU X04u1E1uk AuCu
patience and diligence in healing. He is
also suffering from scalds and burns in
flicted on his back and arms. The two col
ored men are in fair way of convalescence,
and will stir around in q few days.
The two colored men, Frank Reynolds
and Lewis Irwin, who were killed, were
both hard at work, one engaged as fireman.
the other in wheeling saVdust. Lewis had
his left leg severed entirely from his body,
and Reynolds was scalded to death.
The saw mill which has occasioned go
much sorrow and grief in the community,
was erected but q few weeks ago. The
boiler was second hand, and very defec.
tive one, having remained in the swamp
twelve or fifteen years, and was in state OF
decay when purchased, experienced per-
sons say that the pressure of steam was too
great, the steam gauge indicating iOO
pounds at the moment of explosion. Other
saw mills and steam engines in the neigh
b0rhO0d have never averaged over seventy
five pounds.
In conclusion we have to remark that
this will only be another lesson to the
world regarding the employment OF unre-
liable boilers for purposes OF manufac-
ture. Thousands of persons have suffered
q painful and prolonged death from ex.
pl0siOn of boilers every year. and many q
manned and crippled person now bears the
marks of such rashness and folly. The
government should attend carefully to this
matter, examine every boiler throughout
the country, and express the condemnation
of all that are defective in any particular. -
Lake Providence Republican.