The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-01
JERMYN AND MAYTIELD.

Saturday evening about o'clock the
people of the town were startled by
low, mufiled explosion, a slight trem-
bling of their houses, a sound as of
escaping steam and the sudden extinc-
tion of all electric lights. All knew at
once that something had gone wrong
at the powder mills. Word was soon
received that a boiler had exploded,
and that Benjamin Carey, one of the
firemen at the powder mills, had been
killed. Mr.. Carey, Conner S. Davis and
Mr.. Jenkins are the three firemen who
alternated shifts. Mr.. Carey had re-
lieved Mr.. Davis at o'clock, and Mr..
Jenkins had come on to relieve Mr..
Carey at o'clock. He had just en-
tered the engine room, hung up his
umbrella and set his dinner pail away
and started across the engine room to
enter the boiler room, and as he was
about half way to the door the explo-
sion occurred. Mr.. Jenkins fortunate
ly escaped with a few slight burns from
the escaping steam. Mr.. Carey was
blown about fifty feet, every shred of
clothing, except his shoes, were blown
from his body. His body was severely
burned, and a large cash cut in his
taneous. Mr.. Carey is said to have
been a very careful man, and the
cause of the explosion will probably
never be known. He leaves a widow
and seven daughters, some of whom
are married, to mourn his loss. There
were two very large boilers of the di-
rect tlue. locomotive type. set north
and south, the one that exploded was
hA
part of it was thrown in a northerly
course about one hundred feet and
ended directly over. and the fire box
and other parts were thrown in a
southeasterly course, about the same
distance and part of the fire box was
thrown into the river. The boiler room
was built of brick and is a total wreck
and the remainding boiler was blown
from its settings The boilers were
used to furnish power for the powder
mills, also to furnish power for the
electric light plant. 1t will require
some time to get the plant in opera
tion again, and Jermyn and Mayfield
will be in darkness until it is started
Superintendent Hutchings informs us
that the work will be pushed as fast
as men and means can push it, and
the plant gotten in operation as soon
as it is possible to have it done.
Deputy Coroner Pennypacker visited
the scene of the accident and permitted
Undertaken Carey to take charge of
Carey's body. Carey had been in the
employ of the company many years
and was considered a competent en-
ploye and a good mechanic. He is sur
vived by a wife and the following chill
dren: Mrs. Herman Kiefer, of Simp-
son; Mrs. William Hackett, of Peck
Vile; Mrs. Ella Lutey and Anna, Vera
and Harold Carey.
Until repairs are made the borough
of Jermyn will be in darkness unless
the company arranges to connect its
lines with those of nearby towns.
William f. Davis is visiting friends
in Wilkes Barre.
Misses Louise Moon and Hilda SWick
returned Saturday after having spent
a week with Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Moon,
| of Amasa.
Mr.. L. T. Davis, of Scranton, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Welch and daugh-
ter, Laura, spent Sunday at Camp IL.
S." Chapman Lake
Mrs. Hemibright and son. Henry, left
saturday morning for Ocean Grove.
The scholars, teachers and members
OF the Methodist Episcopal Sunday
school and church have decided to go
to Farview on their annual excursion.
Mrs. w. c. Nicholson and the Misses
Eliza and Margaret Osbourne. Clara
and Gertrude Davis, Carrie Murray
| and Ethel Visick returned Saturday
| evening from Crystal Lake.