Stoughton
Marketing Company’s Milk Plant Boiler Explosion, November 24, 1920
Terrific
Boiler Explosion Kills 5, Four Men and One Woman Suffer Death
“The worst
tragedy ever witnessed in our city occurred at about half past ten o’clock this
forenoon when the explosion of the boiler at the Farmer’s Marketing Company’s
Milk Plant caused the death of five persons, four men and one woman, and
slightly injured a man and a woman.”
“As it
exploded, the boiler was propelled to the west, through the Moline Plow Co.’s
fence, after which it collided with a sample shed in which are stored samples
of the various parts of wagons. It
ripped out practically the entire south wall of this shed, then glanced off to
another shed, and finally landed fully 150 feet from the boiler room.”
“The force
of the explosion blew out the east wall of the (small retail sales) room at the
rear of the boiler, sending milk cans and debris a considerable distance.”
“The entire
community is deeply affected by this ghastly tragedy which in a moment took its
toll of five lives.”
“Instantly
killed –
G.E. Ferguson, aged between 45 and 50, State Superintendent of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Des Moines Iowa, had been here a few
days for the purpose of starting a local lodge of the order
Otis Graves, aged 68; came here from Springfield Vermont
about ten years ago. He was after milk
and was blown some distance.
Emmett Marvin, aged 35; works Quam & Nichols farm in
Hanerville; former horse-shoer at N.F. Olson’s shop
Died at
Hospital Shortly After Accident-
Willmer P. Nichols, aged 37; been employed at plant 10 days;
Former bookkeeper with the now (then) defunct Stoughton Lumber Association.
Mrs. Sam (Susan) Kraiger, aged 51 and wife of harness maker; gone to
the plant after butter and butter-milk, was horribly scalded by escaping steam.
Injured –
Mrs. Adolph Jacobson,
face scaled somewhat
Carl Hjortland, farmer,
face slightly lacerated”
Courier
Hub, November 26, 1920
“The
explosion of the boiler in the old Farmer’s Marketing Co. on Eighth St. can
probably be called one of the greatest single tragedies in Stoughton’s 100-year
history. The explosion occurred about
10:30am Wednesday, November 24th, 1920, the day before Thanksgiving”
…
Aftermath of the Farmers' Marketing boiler, explosion
Stoughton Courier Hub, May 9, 1947
With thanks to the Kvamme Local History Collection, Stoughton Public Library
