Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-19
SUFFOCATED BY GAS.
An Allegheny Girl Killed by the lg-
norance of Her Roommate.
ONE GIRL NARROWLY ESCAPES.
Annie Raab Turns Cut the Gas and Then
opens the Valve Again.
AMELIA GUTKNECHT ASPHYXIATED

Annie Raab's ignorance of gas fixtures
caused the death of Amelia Gutknecht yes
terday and came near ending her own life
as we'll Both girls were employed as
domestics in the residence OF Bernard
Forst, the well-known oil producer, at 1S1
Fayette street, Allegheny. They roomed
together, slept in the same bed apd were
both about 10 years of age.
On Friday night Amelia Gutknecht, who
was the kitchen servant, retired early.
Annie Raab, the chambermaid, had been
out during the evening and went to bed at
II o'clock. Her roommate was asleep at
the time. Not wishing to arouse her Miss
Raab, tor the first time in her life, although
she has lived in the city tor several years,
turned out the gas She must have turned
it off and then on again, for in the morning
they were both found unconscious and
nearly dead. Miss Gutknecht died yester-
day morning. By extraordinary efforts of
three physicians Annie Raab's life was
saved.
Three Physicians Hastily Summoned.
Mr.. Forst and his family are greatly dis
tressed over the occurrence. To Acting
Coroner Brush Mrs. Forst yesterday re-
lated all she knew about it. On Saturday
morning she arose at nearly o'clock.
Hearing no STIR in the house she went to
call the chambermaid. The sound OF heavy
breathing in the girls room surprised her.
When she opened the bedroom door a
strong odor of escaping gas drove her back.
She called Mr.. Forst who ran into the room
and closed the gas jet, which was partially
open, and threw open the windows. Calling
to the girls he found them unconscious.
Mrs Forst hastily dressed and ran for the
DR. MeCarrell, while her husband tele-
phoned for DR.. Campbell The physicians
came quickly and began the work of resusci-
tating the asphyxiated girls. All the reme-
dies known to science were applied continu-
ously for five hours before either OF the vic
Tins showed any sign of returning con-
sciousness. By o'clock in the afternoon
Annie Raab had so far recovered as to make
her removal to her home on Thirty-third
street possible She has since fully re-
covered from the gas, but suffers from the
effects of the heroic treatment necessary to
revive her.
Amelia Gutknecht Was Dead.
Miss Gutknecht did not respond to treat
ment. Hot jars and poultices were applied
until her flesh was burned and blistered,
but she gave no sign OF feeling. Yesterday
morning she died without having recovered
consciousness. Her mother, whoslives at
Kensington, had been summoned and was
by the girls bedside when she expired.
The body was removed to Kensington last
night for interment. The dead girl was q
great favorite with the Forst family where
she has lived since last August. She was
bright, intelligent and of attractive appear
ance.
Annie Raab's statement is that after
turning out the gas she got into bed and
fell into doze, but was awakened by the
odor of escaping gas She called Miss
Gutknecht's attention to it, but she replied
that it was only imagination, and went to
sleep again. Miss Raab was even then suf-
tering from the gas, as she had no inclina-
tion to get up and investigate. She thought
of it, but was so drowsv that she fell asleep
before she could decide what to do. Miss
Raab had not been accustomed to gas at
home, and since living at Forst's her room
mate had always attended to lighting and
turning out the illuminant.