The times., 1898-06-14
SODA FOUNTAIN fXPLODEs
George Curtin Killed and John
Rodgers Painfully Injured.
A PANIC In A DRUG STORE
The Fatal Accident Occurs at
Third Street and Pennsylvania
ers Are Drinking at the Fountain
DIR. Rodgers VIII Recover.

George Curtin. nineteen years old was
killed and DR.. John Rodgers, twenty-one
years of age, was severely injured by the
explosion of a soda water fountain last
night at 11:03 o'clock in O'Donnelrs drug
store at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave-
nue. and Third Street southeast
Exactly what caused the soda tank to
explode or how it occurred is not known.
1t is understood that II was the habit of
DR.. Rodgers and Curtin to charge the
fountain late in the evening and it was
while doing this last night that the ex-
plosion took place. The fountain and the
brass cylinder from which 1t was being
charged Were in the cellar under the
west side of the drug store and there
was no one present at the time but the
unfortunate victim and DR.. Rodgers, who
very narrowly escaped being killed.
1t is believed from the result of the ex-
plosion that DR.. Rodgers was manipulat-
ing the cylinder, which requires a great
deal of care and that young Curtin was
shaking the fountain TO carbonate the
water. This conclusion is drawn from the
fact that nearly the whole of the back
part of Curtin's head was blown off, caus-
ing instant death.
The injuries suffered by DR.. Rodgers.
while not very serious, are exceedingly
painful. His right hand. with which he
neld the cylinder. is terribly lacera;ed.
and there are several ugly cuts about his
face. There is also very ugly cash un-
der his chin.
The sound Of the explosion caused
dear Of -,
hood, and quickly large crowd gathered
outside the store. Thinking that the
sound was caused by the explosion of a
gasoline lamp or stove, some one turned in
fire alarm, which was quickly responded
10. The firemen soon discovered that il
was false alarm, but remained and rem
dered what assistance they were able.
As soon as DR.. Rodgers recovered from
the shock of the explosion ne rushed up
stairs and asked some one TO call a ply
sician. Drs. Ober and Hodges hasten,sd
TO the spot. but were too late TO render
any service TO Curtin, for he was beyond
human aid. Life was not extinct, howey-
er, and he was placed in an ambulance
and hurried TO Providence Hospital. but
he died before reaching there. His body
was then taken 10 the morgue at the
Sixth Police Station
Drs. Ober and Hodges then turned their
attention to DR.. Rodgers, who is now do
ing as well as can be expected under the
circumstances. though in great pain
At the time of the explosion, Dr.
O'Donnell was not in the drug store. hav-
ing gone 10 his other store al the corner
Of Ninth and East Capitol Streets.
The force of the explosion was so great
that il blew a large hole in the tile
flooring Of the store just above where the
fountain was standing.
In the store at the time of the explosion
were DIR. Deadow, c. e. Langley and
two ladies. who were drinking soda wa
ter. The ladies were very much frighten-
ed and rushed out of the store. not know
ing at the time what caused the dis
turbance. Mr.. Langley. however, did not
lose his presence of mind. and with DR.
Deadow went TO DR.. Rodgers's assist
ance.