History of Elkhorn Grove, Carroll County, Il
From: The History of Carroll County, Illinois
H. F. Kett & Co., Times Building
Chicago 1878.
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ELKHORN GROVE. The Elkhorn Grove mills are situated on Elkhorn Creek, section 31, in Elkhorn Grove Township. They are owned
by Fisher and J. F. Allison. They were originally erected in 1866, at a cost of $7,000. They have a capacity of
one hundred and forty four bushels per day, equal to nearly thirty barrels. In February, 1872, when the upper story
of the mill was weighted down with grain, there came a fearful wind storm that so racked the mill that the joists
gave way, letting the entire floor and its contents down upon the stove, from which a fire started that destroyed
the entire building. Dr. W. K. Palmer, William L. Johnson, Matt. Deiterlee and Joseph Lukens, the miller, were
in the store room at the time. Lukens escaped through the flume. Dr. Palmer was killed by the falling of the floor,
and was horribly burned before his body could be rescued. Deiterlee was slightly burned, and Johnson badly burned
about the head, neck, face and hands. They had been wedged in by the falling mass, and were unable to extricate
themselves from the burning debris until the increasing heat gave them unnatural strength, when they got away,
more dead than alive. Lukens was so frightened as to be unable to render them any assistance. In addition, he was
in bad health, and Dr. Palmer had called to treat him professionally. The loss to Fisher Allison was about $6,000,
and to the customers of the mill about $1,500. There was no insurance on the mill and the customers made no claim
against Mr. Allison for damages. The mills were rebuilt the following Fall, by Fisher Allison, his son, Joseph
F., the present county treasurer, becoming a partner in their re-erection and subsequent management. |
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