MORGAN, Peter died 1876

MORGAN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/13/2024 at 18:32:11

KILLED - Peter Morgan, formerly of Lansing,was killed on Wednesday, at Clinton, in the Clinton Lumber Company's mills, where he was working, by the blowing out of the steam drum, the steam rushing out and literally cooking him. He was well known in this city, where he attended school some years ago, and also learned the machinist's trade as apprentice in Boeckh & Luger's employ. The remains were brought up on Thursday, in charge of his mother and brother.
~Lansing Mirror, Friday, June 23, 1876 pg 3
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In our last week's paper we made brief mention of the death of Peter Morgan, at Clinton, Iowa, where he was engaged as engineer in a sawmill. We were then without particulars, but since have learned fully about the distressing accident from our exchanges. The 'Clinton Daily Herald' of the 21st has the following:

As Mr. Peter Morgan, engineer at the old mill, was starting up his engine, the great pressure of steam upon the boilers usual at this critical juncture proved too great a strain upon the steam drum, and the latter facing the engine room - a piece of iron some two feet in diameter - was driven suddenly thro' the brick partition into the engine room, knocking down the engineer and enveloping him at once with the merciless steam, which rushed out and fairly cooked the unfortunate man alive.

"The noise of the explosion attracted the other employes at once, and as soon as the steam could be penetrated the half insensible and frightfully scalded form of the engineer was secured and carried out to the open air. Here, his saturated clothing was cut from him, pieces of skin falling off with it and sickening the stoutest heart in the fast gathering crowd.

"As quickly as possible the sufferer, who could only utter groans as he writhed under the torture, was conveyed to his boarding house near by, on Second Avenue, where medical and other attention was promptly summoned. Doctor nor nurses could do nothing for him, however, and he laid in a helpless condition until 9 o'clock when death mercifully put an end to his sufferings.

"In less than half an hour after the accident the news had spread throughout the city and a large crowd had collected at the mill, at the house where Morgan lay, and in groups near by. The damage done to the boiler will necessitate the stoppage of the mill for a few days, and will thus throw a large number of men temporarily out of employent. The drum head tore a large hole in the partition, and that will have to be rebuilt.

"The Messrs. Hosford, Scofield, Smith, Leaden and other of the officers and foremen of the company did all they could for the poor sufferer, and telegraphed the fact of his death to his friends at New Albin, Iowa, north of McGregor.

"He was a young man, unmarried, and had worked in Clinton about a year. The boiler that exploded had ben thoroughly overhauled this season, and was considered perfectly safe.

"Before the death of the sufferer, Rev. Father Flannery, of St. Mary's church, administered the rite of Extreme Unction, at the request of Morgan, who retained his senses to the last after recovering from the first shock."

The deceased was well known in this city [Lansing], and worked for some years in the foundry and machine shop of Messrs. Boeckh, Luger & Co., where he learned his trade of machinist. He was a steady, competent and reliable workman, and his deplorable fate is deeply regretted by those who knew him. His remains were taken to the home of his parents near New Albin, on Thursday last, and there interred.

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, June 28, 1876; pg 3

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Notice of Proof of Will
State of Iowa
Clinton County
To Mary Morgan, and to all persons interested in the estate of Peter Morgan, late of said county, deceased. You are hereby notified there is now on file in the Clerk's office of this county, a petition claiming that on the 21st day of June, A.D. 1876, said decedent, Peter Morgan, made a verbal will devising his personal property. [remainder not transcribed]
~Clinton Daily Herald, Thursday, December 7, 1876, pg 1

Notes: 1860 U.S census, Peter Morgan, age 14, was enumerated in the household of Barnhardt & Mary Morgan, Iowa twp., Allamakee co. IA. Siblings: Sunil, Patrick, Thomas & Michael. The 'Woodmansee' cemetery book records the burial of Bernard (d. 1865) & Mary (d. 1903) Morgan in Holy Cross cemetery, Iowa twp., Allamakee co. IA. This cemetery is AKA Morgan cemetery, Hurley cemetery or as the Hitchin's Farm cemetery. It preceded the establishment of St. Joseph's cemetery, near New Albin & some burials were relocated. It is likely that Peter was buried in Holy Cross or St. Joseph's cemetery.