New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1899-06-21
Fatal
Fire.
Aug. Bergen of Kerkhoven, Mimi. Perished In
the Reinhart conflagration.
chas. Hanson Seriously and Casper Larson
Slightly Injured.
One Of Larson's Horses suffocated.

Our city was visited by conf agra
ton Monday evening, which while caus-
ing small damage only was disastrous as
to human life. The danger of the flames
spreading was great and to the fire de-
partment solely is due the credit of
| averting the destruction of an entire
block. Another lucky instance was that
the slight wind was blowing in a nor
therly direction, thus keeping the flames
from spreading to the south. Shortly be.
fore 5o'clock Monday evening the alarm
from box % was sounded, and dense
clouds of smoke indicated that the fire
must have gained great headway. The
department responded promptly, arriv-
ing few minutes after the sounding of
the alarm, and in the least possible
space of time three streams of water
| were playing On the burning building.
AoAA SeSooCo uAhuo !" II unC oC0OAC Ill lCd1
of John Reinhart's Chicago House had
caught fire and the flames had ample
time to spread, as the whole structure
was ablaze at the time the alarm was
given. Neighbors saved all the horses
except one, the property of Casper Lar
son of Linden, which perished in the
flames. Larson himself was slightly
burned about the face while trying to
save his horses. The other animals had a
narrow escape. Larson's wagon, stand
Ing near the burning stable, was badly
damaged.
No one seemed to fear at the begin
ming that human beings might be en-
Gagged in that mass of flames and not un.
til after the fire was under control was
it discovered that such really was the
case. Chas. Hanson, a teamster from
Kerkhoven, Swift County, Minn., while
trying to save his horses received such
injuries about the face, chest, back and
hands as to render him unconscious, and
only by superhuman effort did he ex
tricate himself from his perilous posi-
tion. He was sent to Alwin's city drug
! store, where DR.. Strickler attended him,
/ and later on he was taken to the hospi-
! al,where he now remains in precarious
condition. On entering the burning sta
BILE, the fremen discovered TO their hor-
| ror that one man had perished in the
flames. The body was burnt to crisp
and beyond recognition. The unfortun-
ate man was taken to the engine house
and later transferred to Buenger's under
! taking establishment. Coroner Rothen-
burg was telegraphed for, and he arrived
here yesterday morning. Alter short
investigation he declared an inquest un-
necessary.
It was discovered later on that de-
ceased was August Bergen, a teamster
from Kerkhoven, Minn., employed IN
hauling stone for the NJ. s. St. L..
railroad at their new bridge near this
city. Bergen was not working Monday
and it is claimed was drinking rather
heavily. The supposition is that while
in stupefed condition he took nap in
the hay loft and spark from his smok-
ing pipe must have caused the conha-
grafton. The widow and five children of
tender age, depending upon him for sup
port are mourning his loss. Hanson, the
injured man, was employed by Bergen,
and hi5 statement seems to corroberate
the above supposition.
The material damage done will soon
be adjusted. Mr.. John Reinhart carried
an insurance of $3.50 on the stable and
of $2250 on the boarding house in the
Phoenix Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford,
for which Mr.. VIM. Pfaender IS the 10.
cal agent. Hardly any damage was done
to the buildings adjoining the stable.
A large number Of people came to the
scene, greatly impeding the department
The insuppressible boy turned in full
force and would be restricted tempo
rarily only by we'll directed stream Of
water. ~
John Bergen brother of the deceased
was notified of the sad occurrence anG
wired that he would arrive here in the
afternoon to take the remains to Kerk
hoven for interment. = a:
! The pupils of the Lutheran parochia
had their annual outing at College part
last Sunday, the Concordia band furn
ishing the music. Under the Leadership