Atlanta Sawmill Explosion, 1907, Winn Parish, LA
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Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
Date Submitted: March 12, 1998


>From the January 11, 1907 Southern Sentinel, Winnfield, Winn Parish,
Louisiana


THREE KILLED IN A SAW MILL BOILER EXPLOSION


The boiler in the Wainwright saw mill at Atlanta, twelve miles southwest of
Winnfield on the Valley railroad, exploded at 8 o'clock Monday morning,
completely wrecking the plant and killing T. D. Wainwright, one of the owners
of the mill; John Gafford, the fireman, and Monroe Plunkett, a 12-year old
boy, the son of Widow Plunkett.  B. Grissom received painful bruises and
scalds.  One arm was broken and he was scalded about the face.  Two other
young men were working on the lumber yard but escaped injury.

The boiler bursted into three pieces.  The steam dome was found about 150
yards to the south of the mill, one end of the boiler with the flues was found
200 yards north, while the furnace end was found about 100 yards away in a
different direction.

At the time of the explosion Wainwright was on the log ramp some distance
away.  After the explosion he was found on the hill above the log ramp.  He
lived about ten minutes after the explosion.  The fireman was instantly killed
and was blown several yards from where he was standing when the explosion
occurred.

The boy was in the dust pit and was buried in the dust, dirt and debris.  He
breathed for about ten minutes after being rescued.  Grissom was working on a
pump with a few feet of the boiler and his escape from instant death was
miraculous.  He was knocked unconscious for several minutes and horribly
scalded, but his injuries are not considered to very serious.  

The first news of the accident was received here in a telegram to Hon. J. M.
Webb, president of the Police Jury, he being here in attendance upon that
body.  Grissom is a son-in-law of his.  He left immediately for the scene of
the accident.

The explosion was terrific, several parties in Winnfield stating that they
heard it.


(Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, great nephew of the above named victim
Monroe Plunkett)


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