Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-23
DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT.
Il Boiler Explosion in zohich sir
men recel0e serious injuries.

About six miles east of this city in
Portage county alongside of the Four
Mile creek GotHeb Cocks farm is
located. Upon this fam he operated a
portable saw mill which was the scene
of a disastrous boiler explosion on
Friday June 18th. On Sunday. in
company with B. SLIDER, the writer
visited the place where the accident
occurred and called upon the sick. The
mill site and surroundings were Just as
the explosion had left them. The mill
was located on the bank of the creek
about 90 rods from Mr.. Cocks
residence. It consisted of an engine,
boiler, circular saw and gearing neces-
sary for saving and was covered with
shed roof. The outfit had capacity of
about 40 horse power. Eleven men
Gncluding boys were employed in
running the mill. The explosion took
place at IL o'clock a. N. The cause is
reported to be from letting the water
get down in the boiler. All the men
were at. their posts. Mr.. Cocks
informed us that they had SO pounds of
steam on. The report was terrific and
heard miles away. After the explosion
it was found that six persons out of the
eleven were dangerously hurt. Those
receiving the worst injuries were Ed.
Frost, head sawyer, who was filing a
saw at the time Of the accident. He
was scalded from the top of his head
clear down to his waist. His wounds
are dangerous but it is hoped he will
pull through. Chas. Kluge, fireman,
was at his post and when picked up was
lying two rods distant from that
position with the fireplace door at his
side. On examination it was found that
his head was cut and bruised badly, his
right arm and shoulder broken, besides
being badly scalded. His case is one of
the saddest, with doubts for his COM
plete recovery. Gotlieb Cocks, VIM.
Haeger, Edward Dahlke and Charles
Cocks were badly scalded. Those
who escaped injuries, five in number,
were about five rods distant from the
boiler They were knocked down by
the shock but neither scalded or hurt
by the flying debris. One of the boys
was down in the sawdust hole under
the saw at the time of the explosion
He says he was badly scared but safe
Or IN pat
| found that where the boiler stood
| nothing was left except the two long
sticks of timber upon which it rested.
The flues were scattered over a two
acre lot while pieces of the boiler
| weighing from three to five hundred
pounds were scattered a distance Of 20
rods. One large piece landed across
| the creek so rods away. After looking
the ground over it was a query in our
mind that everybody was not killed
outright.
| The injured were Immediately taken
| in Mr.. Cocks residence and three
| physicians summoned, who have been
doing everything possible to alleviate
their suffering. Messrs. Frost and
morning. At this writing Sunday it is
hoped that all will be restored to good
health again. Everything is being done
by friends and neighbors to make them
as comfortable as possible. Mr.. Cocks
residence has more the appearance of
a hospital than home. This hospital
scene reminded some of the old
soldiers of war scenes after battle.
Tell me not in mournful numbers
advertising does not pay, for the man is
non cOmpos mentis who would such
absurd things say. Life is real, life is
earnest, and the man who hopes to
rise to success in any calling, must
expect to advertise. In the worlds
broad field of battle, in the rush of
real life, advertising is the secret of
achievement in the strife. Lives of
great men all remind US we can make
our lives sublime and by liberal adver-
Using, to the highest summit climb
Anon.
LATER.-Messrs. Kluge and Frost died
Tuesday evening. Funeral service took
place Wednesday. Mr.. Kluge was bur-
ried in the Lutheren cemetery in the
town of Grand Rapids and Mr.. Frost's
remains were deposited in the cemetery
at Plover. The former was % years of
age and unmarried while the latter was
| married and 56years of age.