From the December 30, 1903 issue of The New York Times:

Erie Engine Explodes - One Killed and Three Others Dangerously Hurt at Port Jervis
Port Jervis, NY, Dec. 29 -- By the explosion of an engine on the Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad at 9:30 o'clock this morning one man was killed and four were injured, three so seriously that death is liable to occur at any time. Conductor Frank Lane's heavy freight train, westbound, came to a stop at Kellam's Bridge, fifty-five miles from here, because the engine failed to make steam, and a minute or so later, without any warning, the locomotive blew up with a terrific force.

The boiler and firebox rose high in the air from the trucks, followed by a dense cloud of smoke, steam and fire. The mass of twisted iron and steel fell back on the trucks, and, strange to say, the wheels did not leave the rails.

Ira Wallace of Port Jervis, the engineer, was blown through his cab and landed many yards down the embankment extending to the Delaware River. He was badly scalded about the face, neck, back and arms, and was suffering besides from bad scalp wounds and a compound fracture of the left leg.

Frank Loven, aged twenty-four of Port Jervis, the fireman, who was shoveling coal at the time, was hurled down the bank and was dead when men reached his side. William Kellam, a young man on the engine, learning to 'fire,' went flying down the bank in a 'mix-up,' with the contents of the firebox, and was scalded over two-thirds of his body.

Mark Carr, aged sixty years, a track walker residing in Hankins, who was walking along by the locomotive, was carried beyond the embankment away into the river, and lay in the freezing water a long time before assistance reached him. He is suffering from severe scalp wounds, burns on neck and legs, fracture of left collar bone, and the exposure.

Frank Boyle of Port Jervis, head brakeman of the train, was riding on the engine, and was thrown on the tracks 100 feet ahead of the train. He was lucky to escape with some lacerations of the head and face and a badly sprained knee. He came to himself in a minute or so and hobbled to the aid of the rest of the train crew. The injured were brought to hospitals in Port Jervis on a special train.

The engine, No. 1317, was what is known as a simple class L locomotive with eight drivers. The cause of the accident cannot be determined until after an investigation, if the men in charge should live to make one possible. It is only known thus far that there was plenty of water in the boiler.

Only on Saturday last, Charles Monigan, stepfather of the dead fireman, was struck by a train in the yard here and had one leg cut off.