Lee Clarence Graham

CLIFTON, Hart - The boiler at the sawmill of Silas Ingram at the old Bland & Bell crossing on White River east of town blew up Tuesday afternoon about 1:30 o’clock instantly killing Hart Clifton and painfully injuring Chas. Ingram, a son of the owner of the mill. Others received minor injuries. The crew had just returned from the noon meal and were just starting on the first log when the explosion occurred. The boiler was rent in twain just back of the fire box, a piece striking Hart Clifton in the chest, tearing it open and killing him instantly. Chas. Ingram was badly bruised and scalded with hot water but is getting along nicely and it is thought will recover. Silas Ingram and Lee Graham were knocked about thirty feet into a sawdust pit but luckily escaped serious injury. The engine was also torn from its bed and those who have been to the scene of the disaster say that the havoc wrought can hardly be imagined. The report of the explosion was heard for three or four miles. The front end of the boiler was blown about fifty feet and a piece from the rear end weighing at least a ton and a half was blown 86 yards, and smaller pieces even a still greater distance. The boiler was a forty horsepower, and no one seemed able to account for the explosion. The boiler was carrying only about 140 pounds of steam so Mr. Ingram, the owner of the mill, states it had just been filled with water after returning from dinner, at which time there was barely enough steam to run the pump. Hart Clifton is a son of J.O. Clifton, residing between the river and Spring Valley, was about twenty years of age and unmarried. Chas. Ingram was the fireman at the mill. It was five o’clock Tuesday afternoon when physicians from Springdale reached the scene of the disaster.

[The Springdale News 8/14/1908]