Tragedy struck the Douglas Starch Works in 1919. On May 22, at 6:30 p.m., a massive explosion destroyed the entire plant. The force of the blast broke all the windows in the downtown area, with chunks of concrete and brick hurled for miles, and houses were demolished near the plant. Tremors were felt more than 15 miles away.
Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
Tragedy struck the Douglas Starch Works in 1919. On May 22, at 6:30 p.m., a massive explosion destroyed the entire plant. The force of the blast broke all the windows in the downtown area, with chunks of concrete and brick hurled for miles, and houses were demolished near the plant. Tremors were felt more than 15 miles away.
Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
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