Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-05
R|%K[D his LIE
D SAVE DAUGHTER
Father Rushes Thru Flames of
Burning Dwelling to Res
cue Child In Danger
HE is DELIGHTFULLY."- BURNED
Explosion Of Can of Kerosene in the
Ben Olson Home, sos jackson Street,
Starts Fierce Blaze-Mr. and Mrs.
Olson Badly Burned, But Child Is
Saved.

The Ben Olson home, at 500 jackson
street, which was the scene of what
came near being an awful tragedy last
November, When Albert Walker a
boarder, while partially demented, at
tempted to shoot Mrs. Olson, furnished
the stage for most daring act of hero
ism. Thursday evening, Mr. Olson
rushed thru the flames of his burning
house to rescue his little 3-year-old
daughter, Lille, who was imprisoned
in the building. In doing so he suffered
awful burns upon the head, hands and
arms. The fire, which was due to the
explosion of five gallon can of kero-
sene, in the hands of Mrs. Olson, filled
the kitchen with flames, and before She
could escape she also was quite seri-
ously burnei /. The little daughter was
uninjured
1t was while trying to hurry the blaze
in the kite en stove for the evening
meal that the explosion. followed by
the fire, occurred. Mrs. Olson took the
can, which was full of the oil, and
while there was fire in the stove, poured
a little of It's contents on the flames.
It did not start as briskly as she
thought it should, and being in hurry
she again tipped the can over the fire
and in moment of thoughtlessness,
while her attention was diverted by the
conversion she was engaged in with
her husband. who was in the adjoining
room, placed the can on the top of the
already heated stove.
Explosion Starts Fire.
This is all she remembers until she
reached the outside of the house away
from the flames. 1t is evident that no
sooner had she placed the kerosene can
on the hot stove than 1t exploded, tear
ing the bottom out. crashing it against
the ceiling, and throwing oil all over
the room. The force of the explosion
blew flames from the stove. and these
catching the gas and oil, in short
time the floor, walls. ceiling and furni-
ture were one mass of flames. The
sound of the explosion and the cries
of his wife attracted the attention of
Mr. Olson, who was in the next room
with his little daughter. Rushing out
thru the kitchen he found his wife in
the yard.
Braves Flames to Save Child.
No sooner had he joined his wife, and
the latter noticing the little daughter
was not with him, cried as only an
mother can scream. For
Gods sake, Ben, where is Lille" The
father realized that in his haste to
reach his wife's side he had. for the
moment, forgotten the little one who
had, but moment before, been play
ing by his side. Already her screams
of terror sounded thru the din OF the
cracking flames. Not even stopping
to consider the cost he rushed into the
house, and despite the fact that the
flames circled his head, and blackened
his face, tore thru the burning kitchen
into the farther room where he found
the girl, half suffocated with the dense
smoke which filled it. Selling the child
he kicked out window sash and leaped
thru. The child came out with scarce
ly q scratch. Mr.. Olson, has deep
burns on his face and forehead, his
being completely burned
away. and his face blackened by the
heat and smoke. His hands and
wrists were also badly burned, and it
will be several weeks before he will
be able to work. Mrs. Olson, altho not
SO badly burned as her husband, had
her hands scorched badly The loss
to the family in house and household
effects will be considerable, as the lat
ter We're badly damaged by the fire and
water. Mr.. Olson owned his home, but
carried no insurance.
A Family of Casualties.
The history of the Olson family for
the past few years has been one of mar
row escapes. deaths and thrilling sit
uations. A young son of the family was
drowned a few years ago. Last Mo-
vember Mrs. Olson would probably
have been killed by Albert Walker, had
it not been for her unparalleled nerve,
and prompt action. Her brother John
Johnson. who was indirectly connected
with the Walker shooting affair, died
several months afterwards, and it was
thought for time that blow received
from Walker, and which partially led
up to the trouble with Mrs. Olson, was
the cause. The fire. OF Thursday night
ends the present series. There is no
doubt that both Mr. and Mrs. Olson
We're cast in the mould in which he
roaS arc formed nathan IN