Lewis Hoover is buried in Hoover-Swagler Cemetery, Wayne County (Row 7 #1) Died 11 March 1870 at age 30, 5 months, 8 days.  The brother of Lewis named David died in the same accident.

We are indebted to the politeness of J. S. Paul Esq., of Smithville, for the following facts in relation to the terrible boiler explosion in Milton Township on Friday last.  Mr. Paul went to the scene of destruction and made careful inquiry, and his account will no doubt prove to be substantially correct.  Mr. Paul says:

"On last Friday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, the boiler in the saw-mill of Knupp & Co., near Shinersburg, Milton Township, exploded, killing seven men--all who were about the mill.  I visited the scene of the disaster yesterday, and gathered the following facts, which are as near correct as I could obtain them.

"The mill is located about 1½ miles southwest of Shinersburg, and only a few rods from the track of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, and was owned by Jacob Knupp, Martin Hoover and John Shook.  On the day of the accident the mill was run by Jacob Knupp, John Fritz, Lewis Hoover and his brother David.  Mr. Robert McConnell and his son Frank and David shook were at work on a house as carpenters, a few rods west of the mill.  A shower of rain coming up, they took shelter in the mill, when in less than ten minutes the explosion took place, and all were instantly killed, except David Hoover, who lingered about four hours.

"Jacob Knupp was a married man, owned one third interest in the mill, and was 41 years of age;  had been married about two years, and was a very active and influential citizen of Milton Township.  John Fritz was a man in the prime of life, having but one arm, having lost the other some years ago.  He was engineer and fireman and a worthy man.  He leaves a wife and six children.  David Shook was also married, and leaves a wife and three children.  Robt. McConnell was about 45 years of age, and his son about 17.  The two Hoover boys were sons of Martin Hoover, one of the owners of the mill, and sober, industrious young men. 

"The boiler and engine were placed side by side at the west end of the mill, and there is nothing but a hole in the ground to mark the spot where they were placed, both being complete wrecks;  the boiler especially being torn into small pieces, (except one piece, supposed to weigh about five hundred pounds, which was thrown across the railroad, a distance of fifteen rods.  The cylinder of the engine, or part of it, was deposited on some logs twelve rods from the mill.  The dome, weighing several hundred pounds, was landed in adjoining field two hundred yards distant.  The engine and boiler are complete wrecks, but the mill part is very little injured.  The saws are left perfect.  The supposition is that it was not running at the time the explosion occurred, as the log on the carriage was not commenced on, and it is also supposed that the water had become low in the boiler and was replenished too suddenly, which caused the explosion.  The ball which held down the safety-valve, I should judge to weigh about 20 pounds and I was informed that it was a practice with them to prop down the safety valve to raise steam. 

"The men's positions when found were as follows: Lewis Hoover and Jacob Knupp were thrown about six rods east of the mill. Knupp was some bruised, but Hoover had no marks and it is supposed the concussion killed him.  John Fritz, the fireman, was thrown a distance of twenty five rods nearly north of the mill, and had nearly all of his head and arm blown off, and was otherwise mangled.  David Shook was found eight rods southwest of the mill.  Robt. McConnell was whirled across the railroad into a cornfield, some twelve rods south of the mill.  David Hoover and Frank McConnell were thrown from ten to twelve rods in a northwesterly direction.  All had their boots torn from their feet and nearly all their clothing into shreds.  Shook and Fritz were most mangled, and were buried on Saturday, and the others on Sabbath.

"This terrible accident casts a deep gloom over the neighborhood and surrounding country.  All the victims were industrious and respectable citizens, and their families should have every sympathy that can be bestowed upon them."