The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-08
DESTRUCTION AND DEATH
Terrible Accident in Spool Fac
tory at Bryant's Pond.
Four Men Killed by the Explosion Of q
Boiler.
TWO OF THE VICTIMS PORTLAND
MEN DETAILS OF THE SAD
AFFAIR.
Especial to the Press.

Especial TO the Press.1
BRYANT's POM, March 7.--One of the
worst accidents which has ever happened in
this county occurred this morning in the spool
mill at this place. This mill is large wood
en- structure with basement, and stands very
near the main line of the Grand Trunk rail-
way. The mill is driven by forty horse pow
or engine, which with the boiler Ia located in
small ell at the rear of the mill. The mil
was built about four years ago by the town of
Woodstock, and With machinery cost some
$28, 900. 1t wss leased to Mr., John E. Dear
born for the manufacture of spools, dowels,
novelty turDings, &C., aud gave employment
to about forty mon when in full operation.
A few days ago crack was discovered in
the crown OF the boiler, when the mill shut
down and three men from the Portland COM
pany of Portland were engaged in repairs upon
the break. Their names were James Alexan-
der Che boss) John Sweeney ana Patrick
Boyce.
at about O'Clock q. m. today. the boiler
makers completed their job and all Of them
were picking up their tools. Sweeney being on
top of the boiler. At the same time the en-
gineer of the raill, Alfonso A. Brown of Bethel
was getting up steam to test the boiler, when
without warning a terrific explosion took place
caused by the bursting of the boiler, and the
workmen, with pieces OF the ruined boiler
were hurled through the side Of the boiler
room. Swesney's body was found some TWEEN
ty-fve rods away. The foreinau of the mill
and the boss OF the boiler makers (Alexander)
had passed out of the room only about one
minute previous TO make out the time cards
and they both escaped injury.
The mill was badly shattered. breaking all
the windows on the opposite side from the
boiler house. Mr.. Charles W. Swan, foreman
of this section of the Grand Trunk railway,
stepped into the engine room just before the
explosion, to see about clearing the snow from
the mill siding. and he with the others, was
among the victims Three OF the men we're
killed instantly, and one tBoyce) lived about
three hours totally unconscious. The bodies
of all were terribly mutilated A. NJ. Ross of
Loeke's Mills, the mill machinist was injured
by flying debris, but not seriously.
To summarize, the list of casualties Is as fol-
lows:
Patrick Boyce, boiler maker, Portland;
leaves family.
Alfonso A. Brown, Bethel, engineer; un-
married.
Charles W. Swan, Woodstock, foreman
section, G. T. r.; leaves wife and three chill
ddren.
"A. NJ. Ross, Locke's Mills, mill machinist,
slightly.
The total loss will exceed S5,o0O
The large fly wheel of the engine was brok-
en- in halves, the upper portion flying out
through the side of the building.
A coroner's jury will be summoned and an
inquest held his evening. The bodies of the
Portland men will probably be taken to that
city tomorrow
Go the Associated Press.)
The boiler of j. f. Dearborn's spool,
dowel and novelty turning mill burst at
niae q. m. today killing A. A. Brown, en-
gineer; Patrick Boycs, john Sweeney, boiler
makers OF Portland, and Charles w. swan,
section foreman OF the Grand Trunk railway.
A L. Ross was injured slightly. Sweeney's
body was thrown forty rods, breaking a cedar
post six inches through at distance OF thirty
roos IN MS ilighe. broWhS was near tne en-
CINE; Swau's and Boyce's were thirty feet In
opposite directions. The main building is for
ty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, and
three stories The engine house and dry house
were badly wrecked The workmen we're
testing the new dome head, aud two minutes
before the explosion the gauge registered one
hundred and ten poundH. The building was
owned by the town of Woodstock. Total loss
$4,000.