THIRD GENERATION

28. Leonidas "Lonnie" Alonzo Swords was born on Feb 6 1869 in Wood County, West Virginia. ⁽²⁸⁾ He died on Jan 16 1911 in Constitution, Warren Twp., Washington Co., Ohio. Lonnie was tragically killed in a boiler accident, the news story appeared in the Monday Evening January 16, 1911 Marietta Times: "TWO MEN DIE WHEN BOILER BLOWS UP IN STONE QUARRY -- ...Two men are dead and four injured, one seriously as the result of the explosion of a boiler at the stone quarry operated by Thomas Cleary, on the Sleighmaker farm about two miles west of this city, this morning about 6:30 o'clock. All the men were employed in the quarry and were standing around the boiler warming themselves before beginning day's work, when the explosion occurred. The building in which the boiler stood was reduced to a mass of wreckage with pieces of the machinery scattered about the scene. The boiler now lies a hundred feet from where the explosion occurred, in a deep ravine -- Hurled Through Air -- The body of Lon Swords was blown high into the air and carried about 76 feet away, alighting in a ravine and presenting a horrible sight, His clothing was torn from his body as it hurled through the trees. Strips of his garments are still hanging in the tops of the trees. -- Both of his legs and arms were broken and a large hole was torn in his head. Mr. Swords lived about twenty minutes but never regained consciousness. -- ...According to several witnesses to the accident the boiler was leaking and Weisman says that when he looked at the steam guage it recorded 90 pounds of steam. As near as can be learned Swords then opened the door to see where the leak was. At this moment the explosion occurred. The boiler, according to reports, was a junk boiler and leaked when it was first brought to the Sleighmaker farm. When it was examined this morning by a well known boiler maker, it was found that the crown sheet which blew down, was very thin. When asked if the boiler were a bad one this morning, Mr. Cleary stated that he had had it only a very short time. -- Leaves Big Family. -- Mr. Lon Swords, whose body was badly mangled, resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Swords of 119 Seventh Street. He was 42 years of age and has many friends who will regret to learn of his untimely death. He was born near Williamstown and had been a resident of this city for a number of years. -- The unfortunate man was a member of the United Brethren Church and was an active Christian. He leaves a wife and six children, all of this city to mourn his loss. He was a member of Harmar Lodge of Odd Fellows and of Elk Eye Encampment. -- Many persons are visiting the scene of the explosion today, inspecting the boiler that caused the trouble and the wrecked boiler house." He was buried in Gravel Bank (Riverview) Cemetery near Constitution, Ohio.

He was married to Mary Carter on Nov 18 1890 in Washington County, Ohio. Leonidas "Lonnie" Alonzo Swords and Mary Carter had the following children:

75 i. Emma B. Swords (Private).
76 ii. Charles R. Swords (Private).

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