Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-05
APPALLING DISASTER at FRANKFORT,
a BOILER EXPLODES, KILLING
FIVE MEN INSTANTLY.
TWO OTHERS HAVE
SINCE DIED.


ing, the 10Th uIt., about 10 o'clock
AT that hour an awful sound was heard
from the woods, and echoed back from
the surrounding hills, dense cloud of
steam assembled through the tree tops,
and, then, no sound was heard, save the
shrieks and groans of the wounded and
dying, who, with the dead, lay scattered
through the wood like soldiers on q
field Of battle.
VIM. I'll. Overholt, Esq, had bought
the timber standing on the ground, Sc,
cured an engine and saw.mill and, only
a few days before, had gotten the mil
in operation, with force of hands cut
ting and saving the timber for market
1t appears that the engine was not work
ing properly, failing to supply steam
enough to force the saw through tn,
logs, consequently, large piece OF
wood had been secured to the safety
valve to aid the work Of the engine and
give a greater head of steam. Ed
Kershner, the only one about the mill
who escaped entirely unhurt, states
that the guage showed 1855 pounds and
was still going up. Remarking to the
boys that he was going away from there
before they blew the thing up, he took a
bucket and started to the spring. When
about twenty yards away, and just as
he was passing behind large tree, the
boiler exploded with terrific force
Ed. was knocked down by the jar and his
team was frightened and started to run.
They struck tree and somehow both
horses were thrown. AS soon as he re-
covered his presence of mind he ran to
unloose his horses. Then looking
around toward the mill a scene of death
and desolation met his eye. The boiler
was torn to pieces and the men were
lying still and motionless over the
ground. Thinking that ali were killed
he mounted one of his horses and hur-
ried off to Frankford. The alarm was
soon spread among the people and then
from far and near all hurried to the
scene of disaster. And what a scene
it was! Five men were dead, two 9TH
ers mortally injured and four others
badly wounded or terribly Shocked
Samuel Hodge, the sawyer, son of
Elijah Hodge, of Pocahontas county,
aged about % years, is thought to have
been standing on the top of the boiler
when it exploded. He was hurled
through the air to distance of over a
hundred yards, his clothes torn off and
his body terribly mangled. He was of
course killed instantly, and portions of
his clothing were found the next day
suspended from the limbs of the trees
through which his body passed.
Woodson Ransbarger, the fireman,
son of Silas A. Ransbarger, aged about
20 years, seems to have been standing
in front Of the fire box. He was blown
a distance Of forty yards, instantly
killed and his body mangled beyond
recognition.
Sam u Livesay, son of the late Jos. Live
say, aged about 3s years, was there that
day simply as a spectator, being one of
the parties who had sold the timber to
Mr.. Overholt. He had started away, it
appears, and had gotten some distance
from the boiler when it exploded. A
piece of it struck him in the back. break
ing the backbone and killing him in
stantly.
Henry Dunbar, son of VIM. H. Dun
bar, ESQ.,, and aged about 20 years, was
also killed outright, his body being
badly mutilated.
Harry Brown, son of the late Harri-
son Brown, and aged about II years,
was present as spectator, was instantly
killed, and by his side was Clowney
Kershner, aged about 80 years, lying
mortally injured. Mr.. Kershner died
that night. The bodies of these men
were found about twenty yards in front
of the fire-box.
Walter McClintic, son of Mrs. Mary
J.. McClntic, also received mortal in
juries, resulting in his death Sunday
night last. 1t will thus be seen that
five men were instantly killed, and two
so badly injured that they died soon af-
ter. making seven deaths in all. Two
others were badly injured-Jas. Flesh
man, aged Is years, son of V. b. Flesh.
man, and Ad. ID. Johnson, aged about
20 years. 1t is hoped that both of these
may recover. Mr.. Kelly Liyesay
was badly shocked, and Waldo Rams
barger slightly wounded about the nose.
So that of the twelve persons present
only one-Ed. Kershner-es escaped en-
tirely unhurt, and he was knocked down
by the atmospheric conclusion. The
bodies Of the dead were gathered up and
taken to frankfort and every possible
attention given to the wounded, whose
sufferings were heartrendng. On hear
ing of the disaster a number of our
people went to Frankfort to tender their
aid and sympathy to the stricken fami-
lies, among them DR.. Sam II. Austin,
whose services were much appreciated
by his professional brethren at Frank
ford.
This appalling disaster cast deep
gloom DER the whole community, and
filled the hearts of the people with an.
guish and sorrow. Fathers and moth
ers wept for their sons, sisters for their
brothers, and wives. with infants in
their arms, for their loved husbands,
who had been so suddenly snatched from
their embrace. Strong men shed tears,
and even the heavens wept in sympathy
with the sorrowing people. All day
Saturday the town was thronged with
people, viewing the bodies Of the dead,