The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-02-07
Mrs. Louis OrtelI Meets Death in Fire
Following the Explosion of
a Lamp.
HEROIC ACT OF HER HUSBAND
Mr. Ortel1 Rushes to the Aid of his Wife
and is Terribly Burned.-Louis Or
tell, Jr., Also Victim.

One of the most terrible accidents
which ever happened in this city oc-
Cured last night shortly after O'Clock
at the residence of Louis Ortell on
north West Main street, and as a result
of the accident Mrs. Ortc11 died at an
early hour this morning and Mr.. Orte1l
and his son, Louis, are confined to
their home with terrible burns.
The accident was the result of the
explosion of a kerosene lamp. Mr.. and
Mrs. Ortel1 had been sitting in the
kitchen and on the table had been
placed a large lamp. The lamp was
out of order and the two were discuss
ing the repair of it when the explosion
occurred. The lamp was filled with
oil, which caught fire, and the burning
oil poured over the clothing of Mrs.
Ortel1 until she was completely envel-
oped in the flames. Mr.. Ortell had es-
capped unin iured to the side of thereon,
but when he saw the sac plight of his
wife, with remarkable presence of
mind and heroism he rushed into the
flames and attempted to rescue her.
He managed to tear the charred and
burning body from the flames, but as
a result he was so fearfully burned
that he is considered in very precar1-
Gus condition.
The son, Louis Ortel1, was called by
cries of the father and mother, and IN
his efforts togive assistance was burned
about the hands.
The accident created a great deal OF
excitement and in a short time large
company of neighbors had gathered.
The furniture in the room was de-
stroyed by the flames, but the work OF
a bucket brigade managed to save the
structure.
AS soon as possible Mr.. and Mrs
Ortell were removed to another portion
of the house and Doctors Pugh and
Kinba11 were called to attend them.
An examination showed that Mrs.
Orte11 had been fatally burned, and
the doctors gave their attention to
making her last hours as peaceful as
possible. Her entire body was charred
and the clothing had been burned
off her, and every part of her showed
where the cruel flames had eaten into
her flesh. She suffered untold agony,
and although the physicians at the
bedside administered all sorts of OPT
ates they seemed to give little relief
from the inhuman pain. She fingered
through the night and at four O'Clock
this morning death came as a sweet
relief from pain.
Mr.. Orte11 is still in a terrible condi-
ton. His face, arms, hands and por-
tions of his body were burned to a
crisp in his heroic effort to rescue his
wife While the doctors seem to think
he will recover his condition is very
serious.
Young Orte1 is only slightly burned
and will recover in short time.
Very little is. known as to the details
of the accident, and by some it is said
that Mrs. Orte11 had attempted to carry
the lamp into another room when the
accident occurred, while others state
that the lamp was thrown to the floor
by the force of the explosion.
Mrs. Catherine Orte11 was one of the
best known women residing III the
western part of the city. She was "A
years of age and much of her life had
been spent in this county. She leaves
a husband and four children to mourn
her sudden death. The funeral will
be held from the st. George church on
Wednesday morning and the remains
will be inferred in the st. George GEM
etery.