Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-17
A FaI.s,FpL Axprosros.
Three men Fatally Hart by an Oid
Boiler Blowing Up "A Barn Bnrned
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| Ihree Men Fatally hhrt ~ an via
Boiler Blowing Up "A Barn Bnrned
/ 10 the Ground.
Special Correspondence Of Gazette and Journal
MIDDIETowN, July ll-Th' boiler Of an
old engine used to drive threshing ma
chine on the "oidham" farm near Csyot,s
Corner about eight miles from this place
exploded yesterday, severely and
seriously injuriuV FIVE men. The farm is
tenanted by William Lavender, who
began threshing his wheat crop yesterday
morning employing an old sny'ne belong
ing to Joseph Warwick, coiored.
inst before things were in readiness for
work after the dinner hour, the boiler
exploded, tearing the engine in hundreds
OF pieces and making sad havoc over the
entire yard. Mr.. Lavender WAS badly
soalied aud otherwise injured. His life
| is despaifed OF, though ne was living at
| the tins the scene was visited by your
correspondent this morning.
George Murray, white, laborer, WHO
was on load of wheat about 30 yards
from where the engine stood, was knocked
off by heavy part Of the engine IS il went
over the loaded wagon. His leg was
broken ana shoulder dislooated, and he
received other serious injuries. DR..
| Wallace says he cannot recover.
John and William Baker, two brothers,
white, wee bruised and badly soalded
by escaping steam; the younger brother
complains OF his stomach, and the physi-
clan thinks he has received serious in
ternal injuries and cannot recover.
A negro man gained Higgins was dan
Rerously cut about the head and other
1 H. rutl hal ~ ta
Drs. Wallace Of Chesapeake City,
Wells Of Earleville, and Crawford Of
Cecilton, were summoned and rendered
all aid within their power. AT IL O'Clock
none OF the victims had died, though
the physicians state that three OF them
cannot possibly recover. Cavender's
soalds are horrible in the extreme, the
flesh hanging ready to drop from the
bones. He and Murray are dying in the
same house.
Directly after the explosion the barn
took FIRE and with its contents was burned
to the ground. The structure belonged
TO Col. Joshua Clayton Of Middletown
whose loss is about $1,70O, including
machinery, grain, &o. The engine was
an old rusty affair and has been running
since 1876 with but few repairs. II WAS
considered dangerous by everyone. =.
William Cook, lad who stole gold
watch, ring and some moDy from W
Willetss last fall, WAS arrested on tee
IL As train yesterday morning by oiiiJe'
Craddook on a similar charge. sn'
much pleading last fail Nc, Wil'stts
allowed the boy to go free He lett thu
section and found employment with J s
Jackson, near Harrington. There was nc
suspicion laid upon him by the JaclsJt
family until last W ednesday moruint
when he suddenly disappeared, and with
, him gold watch and chain and % il
cash. The watch he carried, and yester
day morning he purchased ticket fol
Philadelphia, whence he was going whsl
: arrested. Jackson arrived on late traiI
and identified his prisoner and took hin
to Dover last evening.
. DR.. +. d. Gjlpin, dentist, Ia removing
0 from the office Ia the Cumming House +
the dwelling vacated by ]. L Crouch
9 DR.. Swariz of MoVeytown, Pa, will
occupy the office vacated by DR.. Gilpin
8 MIDpLErowN, July 15-Edward B
Q Caulk of Sassafras, Nd, died of a para
t lytio attack on Sunday last, while sittin
d in his parlor.
8 George Money, one Of the victims
!. the recent boiler explosion, has sine
!, died. Mr.. Bakers condition Is still yer
, alarming. Mr.. Lavender is somewhs
Il improved. The two negroes who his
9 charge Of the death trap have fled. 1t
q said that the coroner's Jury authorize
d their arrest. Chief Beginner Lurein
,. Chesapeake City, told Joe Warwick tht
he would kill some one with the old 81
y CINE. Warwick was also warned by se'
!, sral good machinists OF Elkton. He
E therefore considered morally guilty
- granddaughter.
le The test Of the fre.proof paint o
II Saturday last was pronounced eucoei
. by everyone present All combustib
matter was burned and the little houi
10 was rolled aside alter Ia minutes in pc
81 feet order.
n The peach harvest is about opening.