The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-09-27
DEATH AND pEsTRUCTION.

FriEhtf1I Effects Of n Boiler Explosion In n
Pittsburgh Steel Mill IT Five Persons
Killed, Eleven Seriously Injured, some
MOrtaIly, and Immense Destruction OF
Property by the Explosion and Fire.
PITrsBURGH, PA, Sept -.
The Steel Mill of Phillips, Nimicl q CO.
was the scene this afternoon of tho most
disastrous boiler explosion that has oc-
CURED in this city for many years. Five
persons were killed almost instantly, and
eleven more are injured, three so seriously
that they are expected TO die before morn
ing. The mill at which the explosion oc-
CURED is situated on the south side Of the
MonOngahela River, surrounded by the
shops and depot of the Pittsburgh & Lake
Erie Railroad, and the homes of the work
men, and is nearly opposite the business
portion of the city. Shortly after one.
O'Clock a sharp, deafening sound was
heard, followed by a concussion which
shook heavy buildings that were squares.
away from the scene of the disaster.
Heavy pieces of IRON and timber and bricks
innumerable were hurled in every direc-
tiOn and fell like vigorous hafIstofm.
Then flames were seen to shoot from, the
mill, the railroad buildings and a row or
dwelling houses near by, and from across
the river women and children could be
seen rushing hither and thither, tg-
norant of the effect of the disaster,
and fathers were lost or in peril. An inn
mense crowd gathered about the place and
the fire was quickly extinguished, bat Tor n
long time it was impossible to learn how
many persons were killed or injured. All
that was known was that a brick building
in which twenty men were employed was
in ruins. Above the shouts Of tite distract
ed crowd could be heard the groans of the
dying, some pleading Tor assistance and
others begging to be killed. Among the
latter was man named Lewis House. He
had been partly covered by the ruins and
was terribly scalded by the hot water from
the exploded boiler. skill me J kill me, for
Gods sake 20 he shriezed, and even when
extricated from the mass of brick and tina
ber he begged to he put to death. He lived
only few minutes-aiter he was removed.
When the explosion occurred four chtlmren
named Douglas wers playing behindtNhe
high board fence SURROUNDING the engine
house. The eldest WAS ai ght years of age.
Their playhouse was against the heavy
wooden gate of the mill ydftia A heavy
piece of iron struck this gatesg knock
ing it off it's fastenings. 1t fell directly on
the group of little ones. A portion of the
brick wall fell on it, holding the children
down. The gate took fire. Steam aud
scalding water also poured in under the
gate, and the little ones were in tire process
Of being roasted alive when they were dis
covered. Before they were removed two Of
them were fatally burned. The others were
also terribly injured and are not expected
to recover. There were other scenes equally
distressing, and many miraculous escapes.
Although the fire that followed the explo-
sion was quickly extinguished there was
considerable loss, and while hundreds were
trying to assist those WHO were injured,
other hundreds were compelled TO make
great eXertions to stay the flames. The
building in which the explosion occurred
took fire Immediately. A heavy piece Of
red-hot pipe was thrown one hundred yards
/ and set fire to the supply warehouse of tho
| Pittsburgh e. Lake Erie Railroad. This
building was stocked with inflammable ma
fpriaI nd wa qTirElW dagfr0VaH A hot.
brick, thrown a distance OF three squares,
set fire to row of tenement houses, but
these were not badly damaged. Other
buildings were slightly damaged by fire.
The building In which the explosion occur
red a substantial, two-story brick struct-
ure, known as the hange department, was
completely wrecked. The main part Of the
boiler was thrown into the river, q distance
of three hundred feet, and ancthcr large
piece struck the round-hOuse of the Pitts
burgh & Lake Erie Railroad, several hum
dred yards distant. A large iron tank,
weighing ton, was thrown ten feet from
the wreck. Another large tank Was blown
high in the air and came. crashing down
through the slate roof, through a ton'of hay,
and lodged on floor, wrecking the build
ing completely. A row Of tenement houses,
occupied by employees of the mill were also
wrecked, and railroad ears and mills and
glass factories, located near by, were
more or less damaged. In one instance
a brick wall, two feet thick, was
battered through though 1T had
DeGn paper. Inc nAHiuRG To property
will not fall short. of S25, 900. The boiler
which caused this destruction Of life and
property an upright cylinder Of un-
usual proportions AMI capacity, being six
feet in diameter. The proDrietors Of the
mill say they considered tagfIDiler entirely
safe, and can not assign any cause for tho
explosion. PractfcaF engineers who have
examined pieces Of the irou-this evening
are of the opinion that the explosion was
caused by q superabundance of steam, gen
Grated while the engineer in charge was at
dinner. They also incline To the belief that
the boiler was defective IN some respects,
but the pieces found are so twisted that
they are not positive in this assertion.
searching investigation will be commenced
tomorrow.
The following is a list Of the killed.
John w. Allen, top OF his head blown OF.
Chas. Douglas, side Of tho head blown of.
John McGavigan, scalded and decrush-
ed in
Louis House, leg and arm broIen and
| otherwise injured.
The injured Wm. Stewart, both legs
broken; ilntqries believed to. be fatal. fetal.
w. NJ. ROdenan, compound fracture o.
! the right leg and other injuries; probably
/ fatal. e@'.- E---.-a
Thos. Smith, hand blown Off and other
| injuries; probably fatal. n e %
! Christ Miller. badly scalded.
Edward Malley, head hurt by failing
! debris.
Patrick Lee, leg and arm blown OF;
I Patrick Welsh, shoulder-blade. fract7red.
John Douglass, boy, scaldett; aefIoas.
4 Jessie Douglass, little girl, scaldedi
/ serious.
\ willie Douglass, injured about the bead.
Baby Douglass, scalded with steam; very
! serious. .-@