The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-18
A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fly Wheel Bursts at Luke1s Lumber Mill
Mr.. John F. Laughery Killed.

As a result of the injuries received in
the accident at the saw mill OF the
Lukens Lumber Co., yesterday after
noon, Mr.. John F. Laughery died at
DR.. Moods Infrmary at 9:2O O'Clock
last night. He was removed TO the in
6rmary Immediately after the accident
and efforts were made to give him re-
lief, but he did not regain conscious
ness, even lnomentarlly.
The accident occurred at the saw
mill where the ordinary work was go
ING on as usual. The regular hands
were at their usual posts, the machln-
erv was working as well as usual and
there had beea not the least lntlmatlon
that there was anything wrong. Mr..
Laurherv. who was general manager
OF the business and whose duties sell
dom carried him 10 the saw shed, had
lust stepped into the shed with a friend:
MIR. Flippin, who he was showing over
the plant.
They were standing close together
beside the engine, and about opposite
the big ten foot fy-wheel, which was
on the other side of the engine. When
they had been standing there about a
few moments watching the saw mill in
operation, the governor of the engine
suddenly refused to act, the engines
speed increased SO terrifcally that the
big fly wheel. weighing about six
thousand pounds, burst into fragments
and the pieces were hurled forward
and upwards with the force of cannon
balls. The roof of the mill, just above
the wheel, had great hole torn IN 1t
and some of the pieces of the wheel
that passed through the root were
picked up more than hundred yards
from the mill. Most of the fragments
of the wheel were projected upwards or
in a straight line forward from the
wheel, but one small piece, about i've
inches square. was thrown sloewlse
and striking Mr.. Laughery on the right
side of the face and forehead with ter
rible force, crushed the cheek bone
and skull, the bones being forced into
the brain. He fell Instantly, Mr.. Flip
pin, who was standing beside him,
catching him as he fell. No one else
was hit by the flying fragments and it
seems wonderful that all escaped where
such ruin was wrought
1t is said that Mr.. Laughery realized
what was wrong with the engine in
stantly and made movement toward
it to shut off the steam but was struck
down before he had time to do so. Mr..
Charles Joyner, the sawyer, also real
lied the danger and ran to the engine
and shut off the steam, but the wheel
burst while he was in the act Of stop
ping it, and his presence OF mind and
bravery in the face of such nerve par
alyzing danger was unavailing to pre-
vent the disaster and its terrible re-
suit. 1t was over so quickly that there
was scarcely time for thought and the
danger had passed before most OF the
hands realized their peril.
Mr.. Laughery was removed to the
Office OF the company and doctors sum-
ononed by telephone. After he had
been examined by Drs. Cheyne, Stuck
ey and Archie China, who declared his
injuries to be mortal. he was taken to
Dr.. Moods inirmary and the wound
dressed, and he was made as comforta-
BILE as possible But there was no hope
from the first and the end came at 9:2O
O'Clock.
Mr.. Laughery was native of Penn
sylvania, but came to Sumter about
eighteen years ago and was from
that time identified with the lumber
business which he has successfully
managed for a number of years. He
leaves wife, who was with him at the
end, but no children. He was an en-
thusiastic secret society man, member
of Claremont Lodge, A. F. NJ: and
Beulah Chapter, r. A. NJ, OF this city,
Knights Telnpiar and a Shriner, as
well as a member of other orders.
The funeral services will be held at
his late residence at O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon, and his body will be carried
to Ligonier, Pa, on the train leaving
at 6:l5 .. m. for interment.
Claremont Lodge, No. 81. a. +. NJ,
will attend the funeral in a body as
body as a mark of respect.-Sumter
r.,