OBIT: Wilhelm NEUBAUM, 1886, Steelton, Dauphin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Rae Neubaum raeneubaum@aol.com November 21, 2005, 2:02 pm Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/ _________________________________________ Fatal Accident A distressing accident occurred at the boilers in the Rail mill of the Pennsylvania steel works, on Thursday morning at 9:45, by which Wilhelm Newbaum lost his life. Mr. Newbaum had been in the service of the company as a fireman for about five years and was considered a very careful and competent employe. While in the act of cleaning his fires one of the internal flues in the first of a nest of 18 boilers collapsed, letting the steam and hot water into the fire-box, and through the open fire door on the person of Mr. Newbaum, the force of which threw him to the ground. As soon as the accident was located the steam was at once shut off form the other boilers and the injured man picked up. In lifting him the flesh from his hands and feet fell off, exposing the bones. His face was badly scalded, his eyes closing up in a short time, and he was injured internally by inhaling the steam. He suffered greatly, but was perfectly conscious up to the time of his death at one o'clock. He was surrounded by his family and friends when he died. Mr. Newbaum was 35 years of age and had a wife and five children ranging in ages from 7 years to 7 months. He owned a property on Lincoln street and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. The boilers were inspected on last Sunday, the regular monthly inspection day, besides being washed out, as is the weekly custom, and were found to be in perfect condition. The usual pressure of 90 lbs. of steam was carried at the time of the accident, and the safety valves are set to blow off at that pressure. The Rail mill was not running at the time of the accident, an adjustment being made at the rolls. Superintendent Hellier, who was at the rolls some distance in the rear of the boilers, received a sudden hot bath and his clothes were thoroughly saturated. He suffered only from the heat and his flesh assumed a very bright red color. Several other workmen also felt the effects of the escaping steam but were not injured. The accident was none that no human foresight could avert. Additional Comments: Wilhelm Neubaum was my great-grandfather. He brought his family to Steelton, PA in 1881 from Prussia. On 6/26/1886, he filed Declaration of Intent (1st papers for naturalization) at Dauphin County Court House in Harrisburg, PA, but died before he was naturalized. The Steelton Reporter, Steelton, PA, Saturday, August 28, 1886, Page 4