Spent the greater part of his life running steam engines either threshing or sawing lumber. Was just about killed in on September 11,1908 when threshing for farmer Alex Irwin of Opawaka, Manitoba - the whole back end blew out of the steamer. The fireman died the next day, and the farmer’s son had brick from the steamer box embedded in his hip and was hospitalized. Dr. Stewart tended Bill after the accident (he later also moved to Saskatchewan, working out of Kelvington).
Full text of the article, which appeared in the September 17, 1908 edition of the Morden Empire newspaper (it should be mentioned Opawaka could refer to the Opawaka United Church, or the Opewaka Hill, both of which were west of Miami, Manitoba, and a little south (the hill first, then the church).
“FATAL EXPLOSION.About 11 o’clock on Friday morning, Sept. 11th. the boiler of a threshing engine belonging to James Boyle, of Opawaka, exploded, severely injuring several men, one of whom has since succumbed to the injuries received. The accident took place on the farm of Alex Irwin, Opawaka. The names of those hurt are John Moher, of Huntington, Que., Wilfrid Irwin, William Boyle, Opawaka, and another stranger from Ontario. John Moher the fireman was the most seriously hurt. He was terribly scalded about the chest and the face besides having a wound on the top of his head. He was blown two hundred feet from where he was working and that he was not killed instantly is marvellous. He died in the Morden Hospital Sunday morning.All the others received severe cuts and bruises, as well as being scalded, but it is thought that all of them will recover. Moher and Irwin were brought to the Morden Hospital the night of the accident. The explosion was terrific. The boiler head was completely blown off, and the smoke box door was thrown a distance of about one hundred paces. The left drive wheel was wrenched off, and the crown sheet and flues twisted beyond recognition. The men working on the loads at the separator were hurled from the waggons, and pieces of iron were found about two hundred yards away. The boiler was about ten years old and was supposed to be in good shape. The cause of the explosion is not known.On Monday afternoon the Coroner, Dr. C. A. Parr, assisted by Provincial Constable W.G. McKay empanelled a jury consisting of Messrs. L. Watson, foreman, A. DeLong, John Wilson, H. Stoddart, E.H. Cluhine, J. Heiman, A. Cruickshanks, J.A. Jobbs, A.L.O. Baker, J.D. Stubbings, John Love, and P.J. McRae, who immediately proceeded to the Hospital, viewed the body and ordered the burial of the same. The jury decided that the inquest would be held on Friday afternoon at two o’clock in the Town Hall.”
The following week’s newspaper mentioned that Dr. A.L. Shanks of Miami was in town for the inquest as well. It also had the results of the inquest:
“THE INQUEST.The inquest in connection with the death of John Moher, the victim of the boiler explosion at Opawaka last week was held on Friday afternoon and evening. Dr. C.A. Parr, coroner, presided. The following verdict was brought in by the jury, the names of whome were given in these columns last week:’That John Moher met his death by the result of a boiler explosion on the farm of Alex Irwin. Section 11, township 4, range 7, and that by, the evidence produced at the inquest, we are of the opinion that it was partly due to his incompetence in not having sufficient experience in firing steam engines, and that the cause of said explosion was due to carrying insufficient water in the boiler.We recommend that all owners of steam engines be required by law to notify the boiler inspector in the district before the first day of May in each year of their engine and on what section, township and range they are to be found on for inspection.And we further recommend that none but certified engineers be permitted to run traction and portable engines.’Signed and sealed by Coroner and Jury.”
Owned his own threshing outfit in later 1930’s and early 1940’s. In 1949, moved into Lintlaw town and started a blacksmith and welding shop. Sickness forced him to quit in 1957, and he died after a long illness in March, 1959.
Birth date/place confirmed by Manitoba Vital Statistics record.