Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1895 — BOILER BLOWS UP. [ARTICLE]

BOILER BLOWS UP.

Five Men Instantly Killed ky n Explosion at West Bay City, Mich. At West Bay City, Mieh., by the explosion of the boiler in Bussell Bros.’ box factory Tuesday morning five persons Mere instantly killed, several others were injured and one is missing. The dead are: John Botun. aged 18. John Calcutt. fireman, aged 24. Albert Hucbenbecker, aged 18. George Pfund, aged 17. Albert Baha, aged 16. The injured are: Charles Docge, scalded and bruised; will live. » Roe Hudson, aged 16, struck by flying debris; will lire. I Fred Wildanger, aged 17, struck by flying missiles; will live. I The explosion occurred while the mill was shut down for a few moments, the boys flocking to the engine room to eat lunch. It seems that at that hour it has been customary for the boys in the factory to assemble in the fireroom for the purpose of eating their lunch. At that time Tuesday George Pfund, Albert Huebenbecker, Albert Baba, John Botun, with John Calcutt, the fireman, were at the fireroom. Without warning the boiler burst, wrecking the brick boiler-house, the east end of the factory, the dry kiln -to the north, and scattering debris in all directions. The employes of the mill rushed out panic-stricken, but, after recovering themselves, began the work of rescuing their ill-fated companions. The .five named were dead when taken out from under the brick, timber and sawdust. Mothers and sisters ran to the mill from all directions, crying pitiously for fear their husbands and fathers had been killed, and the scene was one of complete confusion for several minutes. A fire broke out in the ruins and an alarm called a company to the scene. Charles Doege was found on the platform between the planing mill and boiler-room pinned down by a hot steam pipe under boards and timbers. The shock of the explosion was felt two miles away, but the report was comparatively slight.