By William “Skip” Deegans
Greenbrier Countians were well aware of the inherent dangers of harvesting timber, but they surely were not prepared for a tragedy that occurred in the early spring of 1896.
A steam-powered saw mill had been pulled into Joe Livesay’s woodlot near Frankford, and men were busy cutting timber and sawing logs. One day, the steam engine was not working properly and failed to produce enough steam to saw through the logs. Someone jury-rigged the engine to force it to produce more steam.
A pressure gauge showed 165 pounds, and Ed Kershner remarked that it was going to explode as he left with a bucket to fetch water from a nearby spring. He was about twenty yards away when the boiler exploded knocking Kershner down and spooking the horses. Thinking everyone was killed, Kershner took one of the horses and rode to Frankford for help.
All told, five men were killed instantly, two were mortally injured and four were badly injured. One 22-year old man who was thought to have been standing on top of the boiler was hurled a distance of 100 yards. The 30-year old fireman who was standing in front of the fire box was blown a distance of 40 yards. A spectator who was some distance from the boiler was struck by a piece of it and killed. Two additional spectators were killed. The ground was described as strewn with machines, timber, pieces of clothing, hats, shoes, gloves, pocket knives, etc.
The Greenbrier Independent wrote, “Strong men shed tears, and even the heavens wept in sympathy with the sorrowing people.”
Photo: West Virginia University Regional History Center.
Source: Greenbrier Independent.
