SHOPTAUGH, James - Putnam

– An explosion by which three men lost their lives occurred here this afternoon. For some time past Mr. AH Shoptaw has been operating a saw mill at this place, being assisted by his son James and a nephew, William Shoptaw. The engine used in operating the mill being out of order, Mr. Shoptaw had procured and was using a portable engine to drive the machinery. This afternoon, while the mill was in operation, the boiler exploded with terrific force, instantly killing the three men. The bodies were frightfully mutilated and the mill destroyed. The cause of the explosion is not accurately known, but it is supposed to have resulted from a lack of water in the boiler. The senior Shoptaw was one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Greene County.