The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1886-01-21
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.
Harpers Iron and Steel Works,
Newport KY, In Ruins.
Miraculous Escape OF the Employees nom
Death-severai Seriously Injured.


CINCINNATI, o., January i5.-About five
o'clock this afternoon the engineer In the
new mill at Harper'nI Iron and 5teel Works,
In Newport KY, startled the employees by
rushing through the mill and shouting 70
them 70 "fIy for their lisss, as something
was about 10 happen" Everything was
dropped on the instant, and half the men
had not quilted the place whom there was a
terrific explosion, which blew the building
10 atoms and shook the houses In the neigh.
borhood for squares around. The utmost
confusion prevailed, and Il vas some time
oeIGfe oc,,pT tho an cause q the accident
the neighborhood rushed to the
scene and those who had had time 10 re-
cover from the shock Immediately set to
work 70 rescue any who may have boen
caught by the debris. II being very dark,
Der OF the timbers caught fire, and tele-
phone message was immediately sent TO the
engine house summoning the department
The boys arrived on short notice and soon
extingnished the flames The boys then
started In to look for the injured Their
iby the moans OF a nun. After few min
utes' work they found lying on the ground
and held down by large piece OF timber
Mr.. james Swift and son. They were ex-
tricat~d. The latter being only slightly
bruia,id. was able 20 walk off Mr.. Swift
was conveyed 10 his home on Elm street.
when, upon an examination, II was found
that his right leg was broken between knee
and ankle and the loft between the knee and
hip He also sustained several severe cuts
about the head. Drs. y. A. Davis and J q.
Jenkins rendered, surgical skill Mr.. swift
was the boss muck.mlll roller. Mr.. Chris
Bisch was also badly hurt about the neck
and head He was also taken 20 his home on
Elm street Two men by the name OF
Kearney were also severely injured. one OF
them having bis arm broken Just above the
elbow. A number OF Others were slightly
injured by being struck with pieces Of fly
Ing timbery, A man named Tim Shelly Ia
missing and Il u thought he might possibly
be under the debris II being almost dark
but little could be seen Of the disaster. The
new mill isentirely gone, and part OF the
annealing house Il also gone The old mill
the boiler and timbers. The cylinder-head
Of the new engine was blown clear through
the old mill and alighled on the bank OF tho
Licking, on the Covlngton side A large
portion Of the fly-whecl was thrown over
10 the old mill and wedgei itself In
were also thrown down by flying
pieces OF boiler and timbers The en-
Rineer, who gave the warning, states
that shortly after 5 O'Clock one Of the largo
belts was thrown from the Journal Of his
engine, and this throw the large band from
tho fly-wheel, which weighs thirty tons.
As matter OF course the engine started
off at lightning speed, and seeing that he
could not stop Il be gave the warning 10
the employees, some 40 In number. The
ny.wheal by this time had attained
such terrific velocity that Il broke
70 pieces. A portion OF Il struck the large
boiler. causing IL and an adjoining boiler
10 explode almost simultaneously. This
was followed by a loud report and the es.
cape OF steam. and after tho smoke had
cleared away there was nothing left but
few posts standing up and large pile OF
debris lying over near the old mill. The
damage viii amount 10 not less than e25, 900,
and probably more.