Sloss Furnaces opened in 1882 and operated for 89 years producing high quality pig iron. The steel that came from these furnaces was then used to built railroads, skyscrapers and bridges during America’s industrial revolution.
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| Milton iron flowing from a Sloss Furnace. |
The human cost to produce this steel was great. The work conditions at Sloss were unbearable and dangerous. The workers were never given breaks or holidays.
“During the stifling summer months temperatures throughout the plant would reach more than 120 degrees. Lack of sleep, the heat, and low visibility made working the furnace literally a “living hell” and only the poorest workers—immigrants—desperate for employment, would work it.”
One foreman that worked at Sloss made these horrendous conditions even worse. James “Slag” Wormwood ran the graveyard shift.
Slag in an effort to impress his bosses drove his men hard. He often demanded they take unnecessary and dangerous risks. The reason for this was to speed up production.
Under Wormwood’s management 47 men lost their lives. This was 10 times the fatality rate than any other shift. On top of this countless men were injured in accidents that left them unable to work.
In one accident alone in 1888, one explosion left 6 men burned blind.
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| Big Alice |
In October of 1906, Slag Wormwood met what many felt was a just fate. He fell from the top of the largest furnace—known as Big Alice—into a giant pool of melting ore. His body dissolved within seconds.
According to one legend this wasn’t an accident. Workers may have assisted his fall.
Ever since, there have been witness accounts that reflect that Slag haunts Sloss Furnaces. His ghost is seen as an evil tormentor.
Past employees of the plant have shared numerous stories. Most involve them being shoved from behind by unseen hands. A common report is they heard a voice scream, “get back to work.”
The Sloss Furnaces former night watchman, Samuel Blumenthal, tells one story that happened to him in 1971. This was the night before the plant shut down production.
He states he found himself “face to face” with the “most frightening thing he had ever seen.” He described this figure as “evil.” He stated it was “half man/half demon.”
This figure tried to push him up the stairs he was standing on. When Blumenthal refused it proceeded to beat him with its fists.
Later, when a doctor examined him he found Blumenthal was covered in “intense burns.”
This haunting continues today as evidenced by all the reports the police receive from concerned citizens.
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| Haunted tunnel at Sloss. |
I should note that Slag Wormwood’s ghost is not the only entity seen at Sloss, other ghosts are believed to be those who lost their lives at the plant. They are most often seen and heard near where they died.
Sloss Furnaces have been preserved for public use. The site has a museum and hosts a nationally recognized metal arts program. Tours are given of what remains of the plant. At Halloween, a haunted attraction called Sloss Fright Furnace is held.