July 7, 1908 — The electric plant on the river had a serious breakdown on last Sunday night about 10 o’clock. The machinery was running at its normal speed with a very light load when suddenly there was a crash that sent heavy steel parts of the large shaft through the building with the force of projectiles shot from a 12-inch cannon, and with the report almost as loud.
Everything instantly was in darkness and confusion, and it was several minutes before operator Black, who was on duty at the time, could tell what had happened. It was then discovered that the 5-1/4 inch steel shaft which connects the dynamos had broken in two, sending some of its parts weighing nearly a half-ton through the building.
Manager Landram went to work promptly to have the damage repaired, and on Monday night an expert from the shops was on the ground to get specifications for the needed repairs. The unfortunate mishap occasions of course considerable inconvenience, but we are glad to learn that everything will be in shape again within a week.
~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier
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