New Hope, WV Mill Boiler Explosion, Jan 1888

FIVE MEN KILLED.

A MILL BOILER EXPLODES WITH APPALLING RESULTS.

A terrible accident took place at New Hope, Mercer County, W. Va., on Saturday last. The farmers of the neighborhood had congregated at W. CARTER'S steam grist-mill to obtain their usual supply of flour. WILLIAM JEROME and THOMAS CARTER, JOSEPH E. FRENCH, WADE SHOFFLEBARGER, JOHN WIMMER and LEVI and ELI SHIELDS were sitting in the mill talking when a terrible explosion occurred. The boiler had burst. The mill was totally wrecked.
JOSEPH E. FRENCH, THOMAS CARTER, LEVI SHIELDS and JOHN WIMMER were instantly killed. ELI SHIELDS was horribly scalded and shortly afterward died. WADE SHUFFLEBARGER was badly burned about the face and body, but will probably recover. JEROME CARTER was injured about the head and face. His collarbone was broken, and he was considerably burned. WM. CARTER was seriously bruised and injured internally.
The explosion was of terrific force. The heavy mill beams were rent and broken into splinters, terribly mangling the bodies of the dead men. Pieces of the boiler weighing at least 200 pounds were blown over 300 yards away. No one present can assign any cause for the accident, but it is thought it was due to the negligence of the engineer, WADE SHUFFLEBARGER, who allowed the water in the boilers to run too low.

Indiana Progress Pennsylvania 1889-01-09
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!