349. Pine Barren Mill Explosion 1913

Updated: Mar 23, 2022

Ten minutes before the McMillan Planing Mill at Pine Barren was to shut down, one of their fireman was about to turn a release valve. This particular value would have shot hot steam from a group of boilers into a dry kiln. The kiln was used to control temperature, humidity, and steam levels for a set period of time thus drying lumber faster than air-drying could do. In 1913, time was money as industrialization picked up speed for the mill owners. Boilers at the mill were also used to power the giant planers that turned felled timber into board feet. The fireman, as they were called in those days, was William Everett Eddins, who was preparing to shut everything down and head home to his wife and children. But fate had other plans for the young man on this tragic wintry day. Before he could turn the valve, the boilers erupted into a gigantic explosion. The walls of the boiler became red hot shrapnel that flew for hundreds of feet through the mill area. One piece killed a cow several blocks away and seriously injured a laborer in the boiler room plus two others a distance away. Sadly, William was too close and was struck in the head and jaw causing irreparable injuries. Employees rushed to his house and notified his wife and mother, but nothing could be done and he died two hours later.

William was born on April 19, 1883, the son of Rebecca Ann Eddins (1851–1928) and the husband of Sophronia (Froney) Cartwright (1885–1949). He would leave behind not only his mother and wife but also four children: Gordon (1904–1971), Hester C. (1909–1928), William Lloyd (1907–1986), and Walter (1912–). He was buried nearby in the Little Pine Barren Cemetery with the following epitaph:

"Precious father, thus left us.

??? us, yes forever more.

But we hope to meet our loved one.

On that bright and happy shore"

William had been working for the McMillan Mill for several years along with many of the other residents along Escambia River during the vast timber era. As early as 1900, Murdock Thomas McMillan (1866-1954) was superintendent of the Pine Barren mill but by the 1913 he had been replaced by William Archibald Finley Jr. (1877-1940). It was Finley, that was contacted by the News Journal for details of the tragedy. Finley told them that the boilers had just been inspected less than two months before and had been certified in great shape. He further stated that fortunately these particular boilers were a hundred yards from the actual planing mill thus causing a lesser amount of damage. Finley had began with the company as a bookkeeper before moving up to superintendent. Even his brother Dr. David Hume Finley (1877-1962) and worked there at one time. At the time of the explosion, the mill had a capacity of 60,000 feet and three miles of railroad.

But now Froney was left with her aging mother-in-law and four children ages nine and under and no income! Life became a struggle until she married sometime after 1920 to Oliver Allen Sr. (1886-1963). By 1920, Oliver had become a widower and was also a logger in Pine Barren as well. But slowly, each in their turn, passed into the pale nations and were buried next to William in Little Pine Barren Cemetery. Froney, her three oldest sons, her mother in law and even Oliver all joined William there.