Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-09-12
A SAD CATASTROPHE.

| A SAD CATASTROPHE.
Boiler Explosion at tho Canning Factory
| Fired Knox Killed---NarrOw Escapes
| ---The Establishment Closed for
| the Season.
Saturday morning last, a few minutes
before ~ o'clock, the citizens Of Austin
were startled by deep Earring sound in
the direction of the Canning Factory as
Of the explosion of a boiler. Looking
that way 4 cloud OF steam rising above
the tree tops gave abundant proof of tho
terrible event which had just occurred.
fastening to the spot a sad scene OF
desolation met the eye. The boiler, II
horse power, so pounds pressure of steam
had exploded with terrific force and
blown the engine house into fragments
A huge rent had been torn through the
west side of the main building by the
force of the explosion, filling the interior
with flying fragments Of the boiler head,
splinters from the shattered joists and sid
ing, and volumes of steam.
The roof beam had been lifted from its
supports but happily settled back upon
them, though the lemons were out of the
mortises. But for this fortunate incident
| the roof would have fallen in.
But the terrible feature of the catas-
trophe was the death Of the engineer, Mr..
Fred Knox, we'll known and highly
esteemed young man. son OF Andrew
Knox. This incident is thus related by
the survivors Capt. Sutton, superintend-
ent j. 3. Charles and young Knox were
standing by the exhaust chest Tightening
it up and preparing for cooking corn
when their attention was attracted by the
sound of escaping steam. Young Knox
took the lead for the boiler, followed by
the others, saying, John, it's leaking.
MIR. Charles responded, @In Il moment III
be out there" Mr.. Knox was seen to go
around the boiler and examined. as is
supposed, the safety valve. He almost
Immediately re-appeared stepping hastily
backward as though attempting to escape
through the door, AT that instant the
explosion occurred. Supt. Charles, a
little son of Sven Anderson, an employee
in the factory, and our son, Charles. Da-
wilson, Jr., who happened to be in the
through the window of the process room,
Mr.. Charles receiving slight injury,
being struck in the back with some flying
missile, and the little boy slight scratch
on the side of his face, while Charles
Davidson escaped without injury. AS
soon as the surviving parties had made
their escape search was made for Knox.
He was found about three feet distant
from the spot where last seen lying under
the sill of the building. He had been
struck, evidently, by the end of the plate
the boiler rested upon, and the left side OF
his head torn away. He was breathing
but unconscious, and life became extinct
in about half an hour. AS soon as posi-
bic he was conveyed to the residence OF
his father on Adams street.
Many narrow and remarkable escapes
occurred. Others standing in close
proximity to the boiler escaped without
injury. A short time before the explo.
sion a number of girls we're working at a
table which was torn into splinters by a
flying bolt of iron. Absence from the
building alone saved them from mutila.
ton if not instant death.
S. a. Gorton and Ed. Morgan were
cleaning the knives of the corn cutter
which stood in the northwest corner OF
the main building in the track of the ex-
plosion, and, as though by miracle,
escaped, though the machine was hurled
around with the force of Il projectile and
the air filled with hurtling fragments. As
it was they were more or less bruised
and covered with steam and SCOT.
No one in or about the building but had
narrow escape from the fragments OF
the boiler, one of which struck the gaso
line house, over sixty feet away, tearing
an ugly rent in its side.
This sad event has cast a deep gloom
over this entire community as young
Knox was we'll known here from his
childhood. He was an intelligent. and
exemplary youth, a member of the Con.
gregational church of some years stand.
ing, and was also color corporal of the
I'd Regiment, NJ. N. G. His age, 20 years.
The funeral serv ices were conducted by
his pastor Rev. C. E. Wright, at the
home of his father Sunday afternoon, al
o'clock, and attended by large con
course of sympathizing friends. The
floral decorations were tasteful and
elaborate. About 10 carriages followed
his remains to lakewood cemetery.
This entire community is united in
their expression of sinccrest coincidence
with Mr.. Andrew Knox so suddenly and
sadly bereaved in the loss of his only and
we'll beloved son.
Mr.. J. B. Charles. superintendent of the
Canning Factory, bears testimony to
the faithfulness and ability of young
Knox, and says he was unexceptiOnably
upright and amiable.
This sad accident has made it necessary
to close all operations in the canning
factory for the present season.