Angus Leitch

Notes:

Cass City Enterprise
Vol. XX, No. 41
May 30, 1901

EXPLOSION

Boiler Bursts-Angus Leitch Killed-Four Others Injured
The Cass City Brick and Tile Company's Yards the Scene of the Sad Disaster

At a few minutes past seven o'clock on Monday morning, the boiler exploded at the yards of the Cass City Brick and Tile Company, a little over a mile south of town, causing the death of Angus Leitch, who was acting as engineer at the time, and injuring four others. The report of the explosion was heard fully five miles away, and the concussion caused the windows to rattle in the houses about town. It was but a few minutes before a large number of men were on the spot and it was found that Angus Leitch was killed outright, while Perry Withey, Geo. Warner, Jas. Comstock and Hiram Baxter had received slight injuries and other employees had had very narrow escapes. The Cass City Brick and Tile Company was organized a little over two years ago and have done a thriving business. The boiler was purchased from a gentleman in Novesta, who was using it in a saw-mill and the company had to wait for him to saw out of his yard before it could be delivered. It was carefully inspected and re fitted where necessary and considered to be in good condition. During the former season Ed. Brotherton had charge of it, but owing to his connection with the Cass City Foundry and Machine Company, and being engaged this year as a manager, it was necessary to get someone else. Leitch was employed, but Mr. Brotherton started the machinery at the commencement of the season's run, testing the boiler with 110 pounds pressure, and instructing Leitch that sixty pounds was sufficient to do the work required. Mr. Leitch had had several years' experience about engines before coming from Ontario here and was considered thoroughly competent. No watchman has been employed by the company and we learn that the boys or young men have visited the place on Sundays and tampered with the gauges and stopcocks, and on Monday morning the steam throttle was found open. The fire was started and the steam gauge indicated forty pounds pressure. The engine was started at a slow speed, but steam began to blow off. It is stated that Leitch realized that something was wrong and appears to think it was about the safety valve, while in all probability it was the steam gauge, as there must have been more pressure than indicated, possibly as high as two hundred pounds. The opinions of engineers are different as to the probable cause of the explosion. Some claim that the water must have been low enough to allow the accumulation of gas in the upper part of the boiler, in order to get the force to throw the parts as far as it did, while others claim that a greater force would be obtained with a full boiler. It seems that the inspector would not work properly with less than sixty pounds of steam and some think that while the engineer was waiting for the gauge to indicate the amount, the water ran low causing the explosion. It is possible that the gauge had been tampered with on Sunday and not been noticed by the engineer. When the explosion took place, Leitch was standing between the boiler and engine, and it is not known positively whether parts of the boiler struck him or the force through him against a post near by. The injuries received were all about the face and head, rendering him unconscious instantly and causing his death a few moments later. Perry Withey was scalded slightly about the face and received a scalp wound but was able to resume work shortly after. Warner, Comstock and Baxter received slight bruises about the arms, shoulders and back?George Meiser had just picked up his wheel-barrow to start away from the engine when the accident occurred and the barrow was taken from him and smashed into kindling, while he escaped unhurt. Claude Bentley had just driven into the clay pit and does not know whether he jumped from the cart or was thrown from it but he was not hurt. The dome of the boiler was carried probably forty feet or more in height and fell about thirty rods away to the westward, while the head of the boiler was carried more than half as far?

Angus Leitch, the deceased, was forty-two years of age, and came here from near Dutton, Ont., some twelve years previously. He purchased and operated a farm in Novesta towship, which he still owned, but a few years ago he leased his farm and moved to the M. Sheridan farm, just west of town, now owned by C.H. Topping. Upon the farm being sold to Mr. Topping, Mr. Leitch moved to town, occupying the residence at the corner of Leach and Sanilac Street, owned by M. Sheridan. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his sudden departure. The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian Church, on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. Torbet. The father, three brothers and three sisters of the deceased, and the mother and two brothers of Mrs. Leitch, came from the vicinity of Dutton and Rodney, Ont., to attend the funeral. Mrs. John Campbell, of this place, is also a sister of the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gillies, of Port Huron, and Mr. and Mrs. Archie Gilles, of Millington, were among other relatives present. Deceased was a member of Elkland Arbor, A.O.O.G., and about sixty members of that order attended the funeral. The remains were laid to rest in the Elkland cemetery. The entire community is stirred with sympathy for the bereaved.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, April 2010)


The May 31, 1901 issue of the Cass City Chronicle had a follow article on the incident. It also listed his father as Archibald Leitch, brothers as Alexander, Duncan and Archibald, sisters as Mrs. Angus McArthur, Mrs. James Welsh, and Mrs. Alonzo Wisner.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 19 and 20 June 1900
SD 8 ED 110 Sheet 9B
188-189
Leatch, Angus Hd W M Feb 1856 44 M13 Canada Eng Canada Eng Canada Eng 1889 11 Al Farm Labor
Leatch, Jane A Wf W F Marc 1864 36 M 13 4/3 Canada Eng Scottana Scottana 1889 11
Leatch, Mary Jane Dtr W F Apr 1889 11 Mich Canada Canada At School
Leatch, Grace A Dtr W F July 1896 3 S Michigan Canada Canada

Angus married Jane McVannell on 12 May 1887 in Dunwich, Ontario, Canada. Jane (daughter of Archibald McVannel and Mary McMillan) was born on 14 Mar 1864 in Dutton, Ontario, Canada; died on 20 Sep 1947 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan; was buried on 23 Sep 1947 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Jane Leitch was born on 9 Apr 1889 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 26 May 1965 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 28 May 1965 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
2. Margaret "Maggie Bell" Leitch was born on 4 Nov 1890; died in Aug 1976 in East China, Saint Clair County, Michigan.
3. Grace A. Leitch was born in Jul 1896 in Michigan; and died.
4. Archibald John Leitch was born on 26 Apr 1898 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 15 Sep 1899 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.