Miami Union

July 12, 1873 

LUTZ, (7-YEAR OLD SON) - Shocking Accident - Two boys fall into a vat of boiling swill and are fearfully scalded--One of them died. - One of the most sickening accidents that we have ever had to chronicle occurred here at about one o'clock Thursday afternoon.  Two sons of Mr. Lutz, a shoemaker, living in the eastern part of town, aged 11 and 7 were playing near the large swill tubs at the hog pens of Mr. Hayner's distillery.  These tubs are across the river adjoining the railroad bridge, and hold about forty barrels each.  At the time of the accident the tubs were about two thirds full of boiling hot still slop.  There is a plank across one of them and on this plank were the boys.  The eldest of them fell into the tub and in doing so dragged his little brother in after him.  The first boy went down straight and was not scalded above his waist, but his little brother in falling, went down flat, and under the swill, being scalded all over so that his skin peeled off entirely.  Assistance soon arrived and both boys were taken home, where they lay in great agony.  Medical aid was summoned, but nothing could be done to save the life of the younger boy.  All that could be done was to make the little fellow's last hours as easy as possible.  He died between five and six o'clock.

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