The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-21
FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION
Five Lives Lost and Eleven Others
Seriously Wounded.
Destruction of Iron nWorks, Cars and Other
Property at Pittsburg-The Entire
City Terrified.

PITTsBURG, Sept. 2O.-Another disaster has
been added to the list of accidents that have from
time to time spread CONSERVATION and grief
among our iron and steel-workers and their
families The dangers attending the operation
of our iron mills have not of late been greater
than those which attend the life of the average
mechanic, but several memorable occasions
accidents occurred which have been attended
with peculiarly distressing features. Such an
accident happened here to-day, resulting in the
instant death OF three men, and the serious and
probable fatal injury of twelve others Between
l and 2 o'clock this afternoon a shock was
felt throughout the city, which shook
many buildings to the foundations, smashed
windows, and terribly frightened the residents
of the south.side, who rushed from their houses
into the street in terror. Immediately after the
shock an alarm was struck, and upon investiga-
tion 1t was found that the boilers in the Hanging
department of the Sligo iron-works had exploded
with fearful violence. scattering the flying frag-
ments in every direction, setting fire to the
Lake Erie shops and a number of dwelling
houses in the vicinity. The news of the disaster
spread like wild-fre, and soon thousands of peo-
pie were on the way to the scene of destruc-
tiOn, an upon arrival there, a fearful sight met
their gaze The boiler department., brick
structure, was complete wreck, as were also
number OF passenger and freight cars, and
the shops of the Lake Erie railway, while
O row of dwellings on the opposite side of the
street were in flames. Men. women and chill
dren were running about wringing their hands
and calling for friends whom they supposed to
be either killed or wounded.
In the ruins of the Hanging department, scat
tered round. were the dead and dying, some
with arms and legs off, some dsfignred almost
painful burns and scads. BY this time the pO-
lice had arrived in force, and the work of re-
moving the killed and injured from the ruins
began. IL was found that at the time of the ex-
nlO8lOn these
nine reported all right, three we're killed,
and eight badly injured, four fatally,
while four children OF Charles Doug
lass, who lived across the way, We're
also badly hurt. The following is the list of the
killed: John W. Allen, top of head blown off;
Charles Douglass. side of head blown off; John
McGeOgan, scalded and side crushed in. In
jured-Louis House, leg and arm broken and
otherwise injured, probably fatally hurt; VIM.
Stewart, both legs broken, injuries believed to
be fatal: VIM Rodeman. compound fracture of
the right leg and other injuries. probably fatal;
Thomas Smith, hand blown off and other iniu.
res, probably fatal Christ. Miller, badly scAded;
Edward Mailey, head hurt by falling debris;
Pat Lee, leg and arm blown off, serious;
Patrick Welsh, shOulder-blade fractured; John
Douglass, boy, scalded, serions: Jessie Douglass,
little GIRL scaded, serious; Willie Douglass, in
iured about the head baby Douglass, scalded
with steam, very serious. The neighbOrs did all
they could TO relieve the sufferers
The boiler was upright, six feet in dame
est being blown 200 feet 1t is not known what
caused the explosion. 1t was just after the din
ner hour and steam had been turned on only a
few minutes when it exploded
The coroner has empaneled a jury, and a
thorough Investigation will be made. The Sligo
irOn-works were formerly owned by Lyon,
Sch0rb & Co., but now by Phillip MerrIck & Co.
Their loss is estimated at 100000 The loss of
the Lake Erie railway and dwellings Is about
100000
Louis House, one of the victims, has since
died, and W. NJ. Stewart and Christ. Miller are
not expected TO live through the night.
Jessie Douglass died al 1880 tonight, making
the fifth DEATH