The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-08
BLOWN SKYWARD.
Boiler on Boat Near PittSburg
EXplOdes and Kills Whole
Grew.

| Pittsburg, Pa, Jan. S.-The tow boat
| Percy Kelsy blew up on the Ohio near
! Glenfeld Pa, this morning and was
completely wrecked. 1t is reported that
| several of the crew were killed
The steamer left here this morning
for Cincinnati with tow of seven
] barges and two flats of coal, and reach
ed Glenfield at IL o'clock.
a few minutes later the explosion Oc-
CURED. There were a crew of nine men
and a numbC # deck hands.
It is believed that Capt Leslie Jones'
who was in command and all who were
on board, were killed. The crew con-
sisted of a captain, two pilots, two en-
gineers, two mates, a chambermaid, a
cook and a number of deck hands.
The boat was owned by W. II.
Browns Sons of this city, and was val
ued at $25, 900. The names of the crew
have not yet been learned.
LATER PARTICULARS
Pittsburg, Jan. S.-The tow boat, Per-
cy Kelsey, owned by w. H. Brown &
Son of this city, blew UP while going
down the Ohio river near Glenfield, Pa,
about II o'clock this morning and six
or eight of her crew were killed and at
least four of the others are injured.
The boat was commanded by Captain
Leslie Jones of ShousetOWn, Pa and
the crew was made of two pilots, two
engineers, two mates, two firemen, a
chembermaid cook and the deck hands.
in all about II persons. The elSey left
Pittsburg about 8 O'clock this morning
with a tow consisting of seven barges
and two floats of coal and everything
was apparently all right till the ex-
pIOs1on took place, when the boat was
literally blown to pieces and the tow
scattered and lost.
The hull sank almost Immediately
and the shattered portions of the upper
works dOated down the river and COW
cred the water in the vicinity of the
wreck The explosion was most terrif-
ic and was heard for miles. Hundreds
of persons q the
ing the noise and an awful sight met
their gaze. Bodies were floating down
the river and the debris was scattered
far and wide but no live person was
seen. a few minutes later Capt. Jones
aud three others were picked up alive
but badly injured and one body f1Oated
ashore near Neville island. The injur-
ed We're removed to Captain Crews
residence on Neville island, where eve
rything possible was done to alleviate
their suferings. 1t is believed that the
rest of the crew were killed and parties
are now searching for their bodies.
The list of the dead and injured as
far as known at 1870 p. m, was:
MILTON WOODS. pilot. Allegheny.
Pa, aged 20
THOMAS FLYNN, second engineer.
JOSEPH LALLEY, second mate.
LEE WEBSTER, fireman.
LEE BECHTOLD, fireman, and an
other fireman are still missing.
Injured:
1eSlle zones, captain; badly burned
and hurt about the body; condition ser
iOus.
probably die.
David Walker, one of the crew, ser
ious
Adolph Wandell, steward, serious.
1t is not known at present what caus-
ed the explosion. The boats boilers
We're recently tested and found to be in
good condition and the boat was con-
sidered one of the best and strongest
on the river. 1t was valued at $25, 900.
A dispatch just received from Glen
field says; When the boat blew up
Pilot Woods was asleep in the pilot
house only a few feet from Capt. Jones. |
Others of the crew were also asleep. |
The pilot was thrown high in the air
and fell right where a few minutes be-
fore the pilot house was. He was
dead when found and a pitiable sight |
was his son only a few feet away in |
jured very badly. He was pleading to |
help his father. Capt. Leslie Jones |
was injured by a bad cut in the head |
and his back badly sprained. The |
body OF the fireman was blown ashore !
right near where the accident occurred |
Only three of the crew escaped injury.