The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-13
A FATAL EXPLOSION.
4 Boiler Explosion in Mcdaniel 4
virgins Mill at Franklin
Wrecks the Structure and Kills James
High, the Engineer-The Entire
City shaken Up.

Inc city OF franklin, Johnson County
situated on the j., n. aud l. Railroad,
twenty miles south of this city, was the
scene OF disastrous explosion Yesterday,
Mcdaniel & Wright large Touring mill b.
ing wrecked and the engineer, James High,
instantly killed The explosion occurred at
a quarter before o'clock, but as no one ex-
cept the engineer was ia the engine room at
the time il is impossible to state exactly the
circumstances under which il &C.
cured. l. is supposed, however,
that the water in the boiler was very low at
the time, and that q fresh supply was being
pumped ia by the engineer when the ex-
plosiOn occurred. IN the mill AZ the time
were Frank McClain and Mr.. Smith, the
head miller, and one or two other employees.
Mr.. McCLain was thrown through a window
bY the force of the explosion and received
some minor injuries. The other occupants
OF the mill were thrown violently from their
feet by the shock. but none we're seriously
bruised james High, the engineer, had the
back OF his head crushed in, and a silver
from the boiler passed entirely through mis-
body, either wound being sufficient TO pro.
duce instant death. When found he was
lying bat a few feet from the
engine, partially covered with the
explosion had wrought. Mr.. High
was thirty eight years of age. and leaves 3
wife and four children in reduced circum-
stances, he being dependent upon his daily
labor for support.
A visit u the scene o; the explosion pre-
sented picture not soon ID be forgotten
The mill was q large frame structure. situ
ated on The south west corner OF Jefferson
and jackson streets and within the last
lew years bad been enlarged by the addition
OF sn elevator, and increased in value by
putting in new machiBery throughout. As
IL stood Wednesday evening the property
could hardly be purchased for 10000. as
seen Yesterday with its machinery wrecked
and large portion of the building demOl.
lsheG. It is fair estimate 10 place the loss at
so 600 The eugiDe-room, built Of bricK,
and situated on the west side OI the main
building. was total wreck, and
the west end of the main
building Itself was shattered aud par
italy demolished Along Jefferson street
from ClaTk's block to the Msrtinsville rail
road, the debris was lying thick, hardly p
yard OF the space bat was covered with
brick and pieces of mortar. The head o
the boiler, weighing 800 or 600 pounds.
wss thrown entirely over the elevator and
fell in the street some hundred yards east,
near the Courthouse fence The plate
glass windows in Clark's block and the
window in the Sherif's office in the west
side OF the Court house. were broken into
smithereens. A window IN the knights OF
Pythias Hall shared the same fate. Portions
OF the brick work were thrown over the
buildings and struck the ground on the west
side of the MartinsVilIe railroad, a distance
of 400 yards. The residences in the imme
date vicinity Of the mill gave the appear
aDce of having been battered with cannon
balls. the Notwithstanding being broken
and dented by the bricks hurled against
them.
III conversation with Coroner Thompson,
be said Il had just entered my ONCE and
was preparing to make fire. when the ex-
plosion occurred. My first impression was
that there had been an earthquake the
OIlCk building IN which nv office is lOcsted
trembling AID apparently rocking under the
force of the conclusion. Many other OF our
citizens bad the same experience, aud there
vas not a house in town but felt the shock
or course our citizens especially me ladies,
we're very much frightened by the occur
renee, and the looks OF many indicated some
thing OF that terror which | have imagined
the people IN countries subject to esrth-
quakes feel under the influences OF a shock
When the real cause OF the shack was
learned the people gathered In large num-
bers about the wrecked building, aud much
sympathy has been expressed, not only on
account of the disaster to the mill.
but likewise on account OK Its
fatal consequences to the engineer. Ii would
be impossible for me to depict the terrible
anguish OF the widow and her orphan chill
dTen as they stood around the bleeding and
mutiiated remains OF the husband and
isther, who had this morning left ms home
N the full strength OF manhood aud health.
for his days work"
IN further conversation with the Coroner
he said that he would make as thorough an
examination IS possible into the circum.
stances OF the accident, and would secure the
services, as experts, of Mr.. Stevens, foreman
OF the Sinker Il Davis foundry. and Mr..
Badiey, OF the firm of Hsdley & Wright. OF
this city. With the assistance of these GEN
tlemen be proposes 10 inspect the remaining
nieoes OF the boiler before making up his YER
dict.
At the true of the accident Mr.. Mcdaniel
the senior partner, was on his way to tue
New Orleans Exposition, having left home on
Wednesday for ;bat point.
Mr.. GORDON'S SPEECH