The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-15

were burned and scalded almost out OF hu-
man semblsnce.
James Harkins, a puddler's helper, who
was scalded and burned, died Friday night
at Ave minutes af(er eleven, fifteen minutes
after McCaferty's death.
The following are among the many who
were injured;
Peter Gallagher, aged 20, single, apuddler.
Not expected to recover.
John Boyle, married, aged rs. Blown
away thirty feet. Not seriously hurt.
U. Brogan, aged 70, squeeser. eeriously
hurt He was struck by a brick, knocked
down, got up and was then blown to the
other side of the building
William Gibbons, aged 20, married struck
in the face with bricks,
Young Harkins, aged thirteen, struck by
flying bricks. Not fatally injured.
Dennis Gallagher, aged thirteen years,re-
siding near Bridge street, injured by flying
bricks. Not expected to recover.
John Tommy, aged thirty-hve, married,
struck on the leg with brick. Not serious
ly injured.
George D. Mallon, aged nineteen, single.
Arm dslocated.
Samuel Burger, aged twenty. six, badly
hurt about the head and arms.
number of others were more or less in
jured. The cause Of the explosion may be
explained in this way, aud is probably the
true theory. The boiler was supported at
the two ends, and had no support in the
center except a little on the side afforded by
the brick work.. The stress on the boiler
was such as 10 strain a row of riyets, causing
the explosion, the steam cutting the iron
like O knife.
The scene of the accident was visited by
immense numbers Of people on Friday and
Saturday. The disaster was truly a sad one;
by il were the lives of number Of strong
and robust men cut short, an occurrence the
sadness of which is the subject Of general re-
mark and universal regret.
The funerals Of the Victims took place on
Sunday and Monday, and were largely at
tended.
was commenced. The company has em-
ployed Hon. John D. Stiles as attorney, and
Lewis Fenstremacher as stenOgrapher.
The first witness called was Richard Roy
er, the engineer at the mill. He testified
that shortly before the explosion Michael
Boyle, who had been puddler at the furn-
ace where the boiler exploded, informed
him that the boiler was leaking, and that 1t
had two full gauges Of water Shortly after
wards the witness heard the explosion, but
was ignorant Of the cause.
John Saul, who had charge ofths explod-
ed boiler, testified that puddler informed
him it was leaking, and had two gauges of
water. When apprised of the leak the wit
ness went to the engine house and directed
that the steam be shut off. He then got
ladder and went 10 the eastern end OF the
boiler to see where the leak was. Failing
in bis object there, he went to the western
end and opened the door. He then saw that
there was leak about three feet long in the
bottom of the boiler. He went Immediately
to the other end OF the mill to give notice Of
the leak.-The witness said the exp sion
did not occur from a lack of water, as here
were two gauges Of water in the boiler .Jhen
he looked in.
Henry Snyder, the day tender oi the ex-
ploded boiler, testified that he was relieved
at 5 P. NJ. on the DAY of the explosion, and
that the boiler was in good condition when
he left. 1t had been repaired month pre-
viously.
Matthew Rhoda, boiler maker, testified
that he examined the boiler after the ex-
plosion and believed that itcontained con-
siderable amount of water when it blew up.
The boiler was capable of withstanding a
steam pressure Of 100 pounds. The pressure
was so or 90 pounds at the time of the ex-
plosion.-This witness advanced a theory
that the explosion was caused by current
of cold air forcing itself into the boiler when
the rear door was opened by Saul, which
created vacuum between the air and water
in the boiler.
George Pottle, another boiler maker, be-
lieved that the explosion was the result OF
the introduction Of cold air. His views
agreed with those advanced by Rhoda.
| William Baxter, an employee at the mill
i taef hat ha hnil laa Il nj q
week ago, but told no one about it.
John Harrity and Lewis Boehler employ
ed at the furnace where the explosion took
place, testified tina. they left at 5 p. NJ, and
that the boiler was not leaking then.
Other witnesses were examined, but their
testimony was of no material importance.
The inquest was adjourned until Tuesday
morning.
James B. Cole, an employee of the com.
pany, had been selected as a juryman, but
the Coroner was compelled by the friends o.
the victims to remove him, as they feared
that he might he biased in his judgment.
John Harkins, one of the jurymen, alb
senting himself Tuesday, Coroner Troxel
was unable to resume his investigation o
the cause of the boiler explosion until We'd
nesday morning.
William Ryan, who worked in the mil
|
he did not see much water where the bolle
exploded, but that the mill was filled with
steam.
Charles Weikel, also an employe, stated
that he ran out of the mill when the explo
sion occurred, and found but little water OF
the ground when he returned shortly after
Philip Snyder, boss over the puddlers, tes
titled that the boilers were examined every
Sunday, and the exploded boiler is no
} burned in any place; that it is nine year
old, but was idle for period of three years
H also stated that me visited the mill short
ly after the accident and found considerable
water on the ground
James Pritchard, chief engineer of tn
puddle mill, said he had been working a
No. 10, next to the exploded furnace 70
three days previous TO the explosion, AM
was aware that the boiler leaked. II wa
seldom that boilers leaked SO far back a
=, this one, and when repaired nothing wa
done at that part where the leak occurred
He did not think that the opening OF tb
, iue doors caused the explosion.
John W. Schroth testified that five week
before the explosion Superintendent Nimso
: ordered him to examine the exploded boilei
/ He did so with the utmost care and discov
cred no evidence of weakness. He came I
the mill a short time after the explosio
and discovered small pools OF water on th
: ground where the boiler had bursted.
$ John Boyle, brother OF one of the vic
Tins, testified that he knew the boiler wa
leaking nine or ten days before the explo'
c ion and it was not repaired, but had n
=. knowledge OF it leaking ON the day or nigt
N of the explosion.
The inquest was closed Wednesday ev'
= ming, aud the jury is now deliberating o
d the evidence.
It The coroner's jury, after deliberating fiv
hours on the testimony, returned the follow
. ing verdict shortly after nine O'Clock Wec
" nesday evening: "The cause Of death WI
% due to the accidental explosion ofboiler N
n Is, of the Allentown Rolling Mill Compan.
>, and for want OF evidence cannot determir
the cause Of explosion"
- WRissnnFl EuRNIn0.