RaIph Crider attempted to save Oliver Durr from burning, Averyville, Illinois, December 16, 1922. Durr, 61, laborer, and Crider, 19, laborer, were in a metal boiler in a papermill, packing chopped burlap that was being dropped into the boiler from a conveyor. The boiler was 14 feet in diameter, and the opening at the top was but 18 inches wide. The material on the conveyor got on fire, and it dropped into the boiler and set fire to the burlap under the hole and also some on the floor around the hole. Crider and Durr were about 7.5 feet below the top. Durr gave up hope of escape and sat down at the side of the boiler, but as the flames rose in the opening, Crider took Durr to the opening, put one arm around Durr’s legs, and lifted him so that he could draw himself out of the boiler. After beating out the fire in his clothing, Crider leaped up, caught hold of the top of the opening, and drew himself out. Durr died a week later as the result of burns. Crider was seriously burned but recovered. 23717-2130
23717 – 2130
23717-2130