The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-22
EXPLODING BOILER
WRECKS and INJURIES

Quick's Saw Mill at Elkdale Blown
to Pieces and Two Employees Sent
Flying With the Wreckage-
Tracy Phillips, the Fireman, Bad
ly scalded by Steam and Hot
Water-Howell, the Helper, Has
Wonderful Escape from Dangerous
Injury.
The little village of Elkdale. which is
located about two and a half miles
north of Crystal lake, was startled yes
terday morning by a terrific boiler ex-
plosion that scattered the saw mill of
s. p. Quick about the country fields and
injured two men. Tracy Phillips, fire.
man. whose home is in Deposit y. Y,
and Lou Howell, the helper.
Both men were sent flying through
the air by the force of the explosion.
Howell's flight heavenward did not en-
tail any disastrous consequences; he
was only shaken up; but Phillips was
badly injured and had to he taken to
the Emergency hospital, this city. He
was terribly sCalded about the back
and his shoulder was broken by the
force of his fall. He also inhaled a
considerable quantity Of steam.
The explosion took place shortly be-
fore o'clock, during the process of
putting the mill in shape for the days
run. While it cannot be stated with
positive certainty what caused the
boiler to blow up, it is believed to be
due to the steam gauge being out of
order
not able TO judge of the steam pressure
which must have gone away above
normal. The boiler was surrounded by
cement and brick. but the latter looked
after the explosion as if run through a
stone crusher. The largest section of
the boiler, which was of S0-horse
power, that could be found was about
three feet square 1t was located fully
500 feet from where the saw mill stood.
Everything about the saw mill was
blown into smithereens and the site
of the mill after the ruin and havoc
took on the appearance OF an unfinished
excavation. There wasn't a board left
standing, and even the big smoke stack
was sent 20 the ground.
The force of the explosion is attested
by the circumstance that the disturb
The roar of the explosion caused quite
a commotion in the neighboring vii.
lagos.
Phillips, when the explosion occurred
was standing in front of the boiler
He had just turned off the injector
which forced the water into the boiler
and, owing to the circumstance tha'
the steam gauge was out of order, h,
~ n az To
sup steam he opened the draft and wa!
shutting IL off and about to walk away
when the boiler blew up. He was sen
flying in A cloud of steam and scaldnl
water All about him We're wreck anc
ruin, but his being thrown seems I,
he the least responsible for his in
juries, The scading water and hi
inhalation of steam are chiefly tn
cause of his sufferings.
Howell, the helper. was upstairs, di
rectly over the boiler. He was picke,
up and carried by the force of the con
.cussion over heap OF slabs in the var
,and was landed in the creek about fift
feet away. None of his bones wer
broken, and he did not appear to suffe
a great deal from the shock He wa
able 10 walk about after his dangerou
experience. s
There was hurrying of nearb
residents To the scene of the disaste
and q 'phone message was sent to ID
Fike, at Dundaff, He attended to bot
men, and appreciating the condition {
Howell, ordered his removal to tn
Emergency hospital, this city.
The saw mill was owned and oper
ated by 5, p. Quick, of Windsor n. Y