The Jersey City news., 1892-06-15
FATAL ACID FUMES.
Shocking Accident at Wood
& Menagh's-George
Apgar Dead. e

A most peculiar accid mt occurred last
Friday in the hard ware store of Wood &
Menpgl at No. 1874 Newark avenue, which
narrowly escaped causing the death OF
the senior member of the firm, MI
George Wood, and which caused in-
directly the death of one of TIE most re-
spected and popular young men in Jersey
City, The you man III question Is
George Argar, Jr.
Messrs " ood & Menngh have in stock
continually large q1aintitie OF acids, eh-
cased In carboys aud stored in rear
room which has been made fireproof.
Last Friday, iu sGm3 iueXplcable man
ner, the neck OF one OF the carboys eau
tanning several gallons of a0uafortis was
broken. The fumes from the acid per-
meated the store and Messrs. Wood aud
Apgur rushed into the storeroom to ascer-
tain the cause OF the trouble.
Apgar endeavored to remedy matters by
pouring water upon the acid. Mr.. Wood
assisted In this operation and with APP
gar's assistance worked in the room for
iully ten minutes before the danger of ex-
plosions occurring was averted.
ACID FUMES
During the excitement the men were
unnhndful of the effects breathing the
ACIDS fumes weie having upon them. An
hour later, Mr. Apgar complained
of severe pains in the chest
Subsequently vomiting set in and
in seml-conscious condition he was
removed to his home In Second street. y
short time after Apgar had been taken
home, Mr.. Wood complained of burn
ing sensation in his throat. Becoming
cizzy and fearing he too was going to be
ill. he went to his home on York street.
Medical assistance was summoned and
after careful treatment oil day Saturday
au Mr. w "a hlA N ha
and around. His esca - was miracu-
lous one. Mr.. Wood WAS ut business this
morning, but his features demonstrated
the fact that ne had suffered frigntful
pains. He has not yet fully recou red
from the effects of breathing the fumes
from the acid, and it Will probably be
some days yet before he will be enabled TO
attend TO his business.
FATALLY HURT.
ADgar, however, was less fortunate.
He was ill, it is said at the time he en-
tered the store room with Mr.. Wood. His
condition Friday night became critical.
He received the most careful treatment,
but the efforts of the physicians We're
without avail. On Saturday his condi-
tion ecame worse. One of the attending
physicians pronounced his sickness pneu-
tnonia. but other were positive that death
would result from the effects Of breath
ing the scid fumes into his already in
famed lungs
On Sunday consultation of the attend
ing physicians was held and his case was
pronounced n hopeless one. On Monday
the presence of Grape on the front door
told the FAD tale that George Apgar who
was JUST entering upon the threshold of
life had ceased to be. During his illness
numerous young friends called upon him
and endeavored to encourage him, but
the young man preferred death to the
agony he was enduring.
KEEN REGRETS.
Expressions of sympathy are on every
tongue and his funeral. which takes
place tomorrow at Hackettstown, N. j.,
will be largely attended by his Jersey
City friends.
Mr.. Argtr about four months ago
created small sensation in the social
circles In which he moved by romantic
marriage with an esteemed young lady,
Miss Annie O'DonnelL The marriage
ceremony was kept secret for some
time and was witnessed by only two
intimate friends OF tile contracting
parties. Immediately after his mar
rage TO Miss O'Donnell, Argr
established home on Second street. he
was Il truste clerk in the employ of
Messrs. Wood & Menagh. His young
bride and parents are heurtbroken over
the affair which so abruptly terminated
what promised to be successful and
happy career.