Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Hillsdale Standard Tuesday, 27 August 1867 Stanton, Montcalm Co., 15, 1867 Yesterday afternoon at about 4 o'clock, our growing little village was the scene of a most frightful cal- amity in the explosion of the steam boiler at the shingle works of Messrs. Lee & St. John. In the twink- ling of an eye, the whole structure, engine and works, were thrown into mid-air, burying in their descent seven workmen in and about the mill. I give you the names and particulars as near as I can ascertain them. IRA LEE, formerly of Hillsdale County, at the moment of the explosion was entering the mill. He was thrown back some ten feet, striking upon the debris beneath him, and was crushed under a heavy timber. His skull was broken and he received also fatal injuries about the chest and stomach. After lying till about 11 o' clock in the evening he expired without returning to consciousness. MR. LEE was one of the proprietors of the mill and leaves a wife and four children. JAMES CHRISTOPHER, lately from Ohio, was working at the dog saw, some 20 feet from the boiler, where he was found, ax in hand, after removing the rubbish. Whether he was struck by fragments of the boiler or falling boards and timbers is uncertain. The was a gash across the back of the head about four inches in length, a heavy blow over the left eye, and the left shoulder and side, and he was otherwise crushed and mangled badly. After being removed he lived but an hour, unconscious, and expired without a groan. He leaves a wife and three children. ORLANDO LEE, brother of IRA, and also lately from Hillsdale, was the fireman in charge of the engine. He was blown full 20 feet through the end of the mill, striking upon a pile of shingles. His head was broken in fragments, the clothes entirely torn off him, and he was scalded nearly to a blister. His death was of course, instantaneous. Of the other parties, MR. ALPHEUS ST. JOHN, the junior proprietor, was working at the saw several feet from the boiler, and although buried under the ruins, received no bruises of a serious kind, but was badly scalded about the head and upper part of the body. He is receiving the best of care, and it hoped will recover without the loss of any muscular power, though his arm is at present considerably disabled and stiffened from burn and scald. FRANK ROWLEY, of Barry County, was at the jointer, near MR. ST. JOHN, and the saw when thrown from its place was cast so near him that the revolving teeth came in contact with his left side, making deep wounds several inches in length. He is not otherwise injured and is about town. Some time ago he lost a part of his hand at some fatal jointer. MR. ANSEL CHAPMAN and his daughter PRISCILLA, lately from Clinton county, were packing shingles at a remote part of the mill. The falling timbers and boards pros- trated them both so that it was several moments before they recovered. MR. C., received quite a heavy blow upon the left hip, and also another on the back of the head, but soon recovered so as to help himself out of the wreck. The main injury received by MISS CHAPMAN was a blow upon the head, cutting a deep and painful wound requiring several stitches to close it. - Nevertheless, she recovered so as to walk away from the scene and is doing well. She exhibited a remark- able degree of coolness and courage, telling those who came to help her to go to the help of her father. She will be well in a few days. The mill, situated at the east end of the village, was a wooden structure some 60 feet by 30. The engine and machinery were from the Zanesville (Ohio) shop - portable, 20 horse power. At the moment of the explo- sion, the whole mass was raised high in the air and fell a perfect wreck. I have seen many buildings blown up, but never saw so complete a demolition. Portions of the boiler weighing several hundred pounds, were thrown ten and 15 rods, and fragments have been picked up 60 rods from the scene. Amid such ruin the only wonder is that any one survived at all. The four who did escape were able to extricate themselves without help. Of course the cause of this terrible calamity can- not definately be known. Indications seem to show that the boiler collapsed. But it is useless to speculate. Our people have only the painful remembrance of the terrible scene to compensate them for the loss of three of our most worthy citizens, and their family hearth-stones are in deep mourning, too deep for pub- lic sympathy to removed. ==========================================================================