York, PA roller mill explosion, Aug 1908

EXPLOSION OF BOILER KILLS EIGHT PERSONS

Nearly a Score of Others Are More or Less Seriously Inuured in Accident at Rolling Mill in York, Pa. - Majority of the Dead Are Terribly Mutilated.

Damage to Property Amounts to Thousands - Heavy Pieces of Iron and Metal Thrown in All Directions - Box Cars on Side Tracks Are Torn to Splinters.

YORK, Pa., Aug. 10. - Eight men were killed, nearly a score of others more or less seriously injured and thousands of dollars' worth of property damaged by the explosion of a boiler in the York rolling mill late this afternoon.

The dead are: John Clency, York; Benjamin Bremer, Harry Seachrist, Paoli Paci, Alfred Struck, John Slossman, Harry Feger, all of Columbia, Pa., Edward Fittler, Marietta, Pa.

The boiler, which was located in the center of the mill, exploded without a moment's warning, thousands of persons being attracted to the scene by the shock.

A rescue party was quickly organized and search for bodies was instituted.

Ambulances from the York hospital were hurried to the scene and delivery wagons and other conveyances were pressed into service.

A majority of those killed had their heads and limbs torn from their bodies and were so badly mangled that identification was almost impossible.

The mill had been closed down for about a week and two score of men were engaged in making repairs to an engine.

None Able to Escape.

The men were working close to the boilers and when the explosion occurred not one of them was able to make his escape.

The shick was so terrific that it demolished a large portion of the mill and sent heavy pieces of twisted iron and metal in all directions. The plant of the Broomal, Schmidt & Stacy company, located near the scene of the explosion, was badly damaged. Box cars in railroad sidings adjoining the mill were torn to splinters and several persons close to the damaged building were injured by flying debris.

The shock was felt over the entire city. The head of the boiler, about four feet square, was hurled nearly a block.

The injured are all expected to recover.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 11 Aug 1908
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!