One man killed and another severely scalded

Destruction of a Mill

At about three o'clock today a shocking accident occurred at the stream saw mill of Messrs. Fea and Turnbull (generally known as Caldwells Mill) resulting in the death of an estimable citizen Mr. Thomas (Brown) Fea and severe, although not dangerous injuries to his son, Mr. Joseph (Smith) Fea. The Mill had been lying idle for a long time, until about two weeks hence when it was leased by Messrs Fea and Turnbull, and put in operation. At the hour named the Mill was started after an intermission of about an hour in the operation. Mr. Thomas Fea was firing and his son, Joseph Fea, was running and edger nearby when the boiler exploded with such force as to break and scatter the machinery in every direction. Mr. Thomas Fea received injuries, from scalding and otherwise, which resulted in his death within an hour or two. His son, Joseph, was severely scalded on his arm and hand but not otherwise injured. It is thought Mr. Fea was a native of Scotland. We think about fifty years of age. His honored family have the earnest sympathy of our Community in their said bereavement.

The Washington County Journal - Thursday, November 24, 1870
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Obituary
Mr. Thomas (Brown) Fea, recently killed in the explosion which occurred at the stream saw mill of Messrs. Fea & Turnbull, a few miles from Potosi, in this county, was born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland on the 18th June 1815. He emigrated to this country in the year 1853 and settled in St. Louis; subsequently to moving to the county, where he has filled the various offices of an affectionate and devoted head to his family, a generous, industrious and esteemed citizen. He died on the evening of the 24th of November 1870, within a short time after the occurrence of the terrible accident to which he fell victim. On the day following his death, his remains were deposited in the Presbyterian Church Yard at Potosi. Mr. Fea left a bereaved widow (Ann Liddle) and nine (then alive of their eleven) affectionate and sorrowing children to mourn their loss.

The Washington County Journal, 8 December 1879
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History

Thomas' primary occupational listing was that of a blacksmith. He married Ann Liddle (b. 25 June 1817) on 24 July 1837 and they began their family in Falkirk, living first with James on Gardner Court then at Grahamston by 1851. Thomas and Ann chose to emigrate to the U.S. leaving from Liverpool on 8 Feb 1853 on board the SS Jersey arriving New Orleans, LA on 22 Mar 1853. Seven children sailed with them.

He and his family first settled in St. Louis, MO where he was listed in the city directory as a gunsmith. In 1859, Thomas and Ann homesteaded land just outside the town of Potosi, MO. Their brood eventually grew to eleven.

In addition to their children, the 1860 Missouri census shows another young male, John Crabb, living with the family. Thomas' probate records designate John Crabb as an adopted son.

Thomas Brown Fea was killed in an explosion on 24 Nov 1870.

Ann Liddle died on 20 May 1909 at the age of 94.
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Ann died at 94 of Paralysis and was interred at Newport, WA. She was baptized into the Morman religion Dec 3, 1843.

Ann Liddle Fea
The Newport Miner - May 30, 1909 Death of Grandma Fea, Passed Away at the Age of Ninety-Four. Funeral Services Held Sunday.
At the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. P. Scott in this city [Newport, Washington], on May 20, occurred the death of Mrs. Ann Fea. On the Friday evening preceding Mrs. Fea was stricken with paralysis, from which she failed to rally and she remained unconscious until death came. For the past six months she had been gradually failing in health, but her mind remained active and bright despite her nearly 94 years.
Ann Liddle was born at Falkirk, Scotland, June 25, 1815, and her youth was spent at that place. When 20 years of age she was married to Thos. Brown Fea. They emigrated to this country in 1853, landing in New Orleans. The yellow fever scourge visiting that city shortly after their arrival, they made their way to St. Louis, where Mr. Fea engaged in the hardware business. In 1859 they moved to Washington county Missouri, where in 1870 her beloved husband was removed by death, being instantly killed by a boiler explosion in a sawmill he was operating.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Fea has made her home with her children. She first came to this state in 1893 with her daughter, Mrs. Scott, arriving here about the time the Great Northern Railway was being built, and when there were but few residents in this section. After remaining here four years, she went back to Missouri to remain with her other children for a time, again returning to Newport in 1901 and has since made her home with Mrs. Scott.
Mrs. Fea was the mother of 11 children, 3 daughters and 8 sons. Of these there are living three daughters and two sons. The daughters are Mrs. [Catherine] Kate Turnbull and Mrs. Scott of Newport, and Mrs. D. Kelly of Moberly, Missouri. One son, Nixon, lives at Hampton, Ark, and another, Joseph, at Kellogg, Idaho. Mrs. D. Kelly has been in Newport the past six months assisting in caring for her mother. The two sons arrived too late to be present at the funeral services. There are also living 23 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Scott at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23. Many friends and neighbors came to pay their last respects to the memory of a good mother and kind friend, and floral offerings in profusion bore their message of love and sympathy. Mrs. Fea was a believer of the Church of Christ and in her declining years found much comfort in that faith. The services were conducted by Reader File, of the Church of Christ, of Spokane, and several members of the congregation were also present. Six grandsons, William, Chilton and Grant Turnbull and Thomas, Joseph and James Fea, served as pallbearers. Interment was in the I. O. O. F. cemetery.
Grandma Fea, as she was called by all who knew her, enjoyed a wide acquaintance among the early residents of this section, and was always pleased to greet her friends. Love of family and friends were the strong characteristics of her nature, and even in her advanced age she was a comfort and help in the home circle, her passing leaving a vacancy which will be sadly felt. Her unfailing cheerfulness and love of companionship brought to her many visitors, who loved to hear the old lady relate with quaint Scotch ways and saying incidents of her youth in bonny Scotland. Her mind remained bright and active until her last illness. It has often been remarked that if all could come down to the end of life as did she, old age and death would have no terrors. Grandma will be missed by many and the recollections of her life as a good mother and kind friend will be an inspiration to those who mourn her passing.
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Card of Thanks:

We wish to tender our sincere thanks to kind friends for the many acts of kindness and sympathy tendered us during our bereavement. Also our appreciation of the beautiful floral offerings. - Children and Grandchildren of Grandma Fea.

Note: Thomas Brown Fea and Ann Liddle Fea are the parents of James Fea and William Fea and in-laws of William Grant Turnbull, all of Washington County.
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Thomas Brown Fea
The Washington County Journal - Thursday November 24, 1870. Explosion of a boiler

One man killed

And another severely scalded

Destruction of a Mill

At about three o'clock today a shocking accident occurred at the stream saw mill of Messrs Fea and Turnbull (generally known as Caldwells Mill) resulting in the death of an estimable citizen Mr. Thomas [Brown] Fea and severe, although not dangerous injuries to his son, Mr. Joseph [Smith] Fea. The Mill had been lying idle for a long time, until about two weeks hence when it was leased by Messrs Fea and Turnbull, and put in operation.
At the hour named the Mill was started after an intermission of about an hour in the operation. Mr. Thomas Fea was firing and his son, Joseph Fea, was running and edger nearby when the boiler exploded with such force as to break and scatter the machinery in every direction. Mr. Thomas Fea received injuries, from scalding and otherwise, which resulted in his death within an hour or two. His son, Joseph, was severely scalded on his arm and hand but not otherwise injured. It is hoped.
Mr. Fea was a native of Scotland. We think about fifty years of age. His honored family have the earnest sympathy of our Community in their sad bereavement.

December 8, 1870, The Washington County Journal: IN MEMORIAM
Mr. Thomas [Brown] Fea, recently killed in the explosion which occurred at the stream saw mill of Messrs. Fea & Turnbull, a few miles from Potosi, in this county, was born in Faulkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland on the 18th of June 1815. He emigrated to this country in the year 1853 and settled in St. Louis; subsequently to moving to the county, where he has filled the various offices of an affectionate and devoted head to his family, a generous, industrious and esteemed citizen. He died on the evening of the 24th of November 1870, within a short time after the occurrence of the terrible accident to which he fell victim. On the day following his death, his remains were deposited in the Presbyterian Church Yard at Potosi. Mr. Fea left a bereaved widow [Ann Liddle] and nine [then alive of their eleven] affectionate and sorrowing children to mourn their loss.
(Was John Crabb counted as one of eleven? He was counted in the 1860 & 1870 census.)

History