Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-12
DEATH BY EXPLOSION
TWO MEN KILLED At A BRICK
YARD NEAR RoBIous.
TIE PLANT BADLY DAMAGED.
End of n Building Blown Ont and
Other Injury WrOught-Whfte Man
and Negro KiIIed-ThreshinR-M Ma
chine Boiler Blows Up.

The boiler at the brick-yard OF Mr.. p.
II. Mushroe. located at Robious, ten miles
southwest OF this city. in Chesterfield
county, exploded yesterday morning at 3
o'clock. and the engineer Mr.. George w.
Payne, and a negro laborer named
Thomas Hicks were instantly killed by
the flying debris.
The explosion completely demolished
the boiler, and blew out one end OF the
building in which ii was located, and the
two unfortunate victims were hurled
some distance. Immediately after the eX-
plosion many people hurried to the scene
10 render assistance, but there was but
little for them to do. Mr.. Payne was bu-
ried beneath pile of wreckage and
when his body was dragged forth II was
lifeless. A messenger was, however,
quickly dispatched for DR.. G. NJ. Hazen,
of Bon Air, but ne could do nothing when
he arrived. He made close examination
Of the body, and the only wound to he
seen was a deep cash on the back of the
head The body of Hicks was badly man
gled and was buried beneath a mass OF
debris. The bodies were turned over 10
friends for interment
THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
There are several reasons assigned as
the cause Of the explosion. One is that
the water used in the boiler was not
good. Another theory was that the boiler
itself was defective.
The damage at the plant is not known
but it will amount TO several hundred
dollars.
The brick-kiln is near the railroad sta
ton, which is about two miles beyond
Bon Air on the Southern railway. The
plant consists of two frame buildings in
addition to the usual equipment for man
ufacturing bricks. 1t was established
about four months ago, and was under
the management Of Mr.. y. II. Nushroe.
Mr.. Payne had been engineer ever since
the plant was established. He lived about
a mile beyond the plant, and was about
30 years Of age, He was held in high es-
TEEN by q large number of people IN
Chesterfield county as we'll as in Rich
mond. He was a man Of pleasant address.
and was liked by all who knew him. De-
ceased was married, and had two chill
dren. He was a faithful employee. and
discharged his duties with satisfaction TO
the management.
Boiler Explodes in Henrico.
Another boiler explosion occurred near
Richmond yesterday morning. This one
was at Sweeney's Creek near Curl S
Neck, in Henrico. and was not attended
with any fatalities, though three men
were quite painfully Injured.
1t was o'clock in the morning, and
preparations were being made on the
farm of Mrs Jennie Lee Enroughty to
thresh wheat. The engine had been fired
early, and steam was being gotten up.
WITH A LOUD REPORT.
Suddenly the boiler exploded. with
loud report. and the engine was demol-
ished. while a wagon-load of unsheathed
wheat was burned.
Mr.. John Sweeney. the engineer; Mr..
Louis Enroughty, a son Of Mrs. Enough
ty. and Charles Brown, colored laborer.
we're the only persons near the place al
the time Of the explosion, and that they
ESCAPED death is wonderful. AS 1t was.
Mr.. Sweeney had a leg broken below the
knee; Mr.. Enroughty was knocked down
and received a cut on the face and was
badly scalded, and Charles Brown had
leg broken above the knee.
The total damage is about $500. Ihe
boiler was a twelve horsepower, and
had been in use for number OF years
The amount of insurance, If there was
any. could not be ascertained.