The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-07-10
OF ALCOHOL !!
Truman Village Suffers From a Bad
Fire on Sunday Night. q
In Trying to Save Money Carl Becker
Is FrightfuII, Burned.
Much Property Is DESTROYED and Sew
eraI Lives Endangered.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Sunday evening about $3.50 o'clock
while the good people of Truman were
assembled at the different places of wor-
ship, the town was startled by a terrific
explosion. All rushed at once in the d.
rection from which the sound came and
discovered the building occupied by Carl
Becker. as a saloon and residence, a
seething mass of flames.
For time it looked as though large
portion of the north side of the main
business street was doomed The only
available means of fighting the flames
was by organizing bucket brigade and
carrying water from the cisterns and
wells. This was quickly done and so eff
fectual did the volunteer fire brigade
labor that little damage was done out
side of the Becker building, and no power
on earth could save that after the first
explosion.
But the loss to property is the least of
the story. Carl Becker lies fearfully
burned with the chances against his re-
covery. Henry Huemoeller has broken
nose and hand and number of severe
bruises.
As near as can be ascertained the cause
of the catastrophe is as follows: At
about the hour mentioned above young
Huemoeller and companionn named Alex
ander returned from Lewisville and, not
having had supper, went to the saloon to
get lunch of sardines and crackers. Not
wishing to strike a light in the saloon,
for it was Sunday evening, they were
taking their lunch in the dark. Huemoel-
Ter in opening sardine can cut his fng-
er on the tin. He went to the alcohol
keg and drew a small quantity of the
liquor, letting it run on his wounded
finger. Then he struck match to see
how badly he was injured.
The explosion Immediately followed
The flame of the match was sufficient to
ignite the alcohol in the keg and the
result was terrific. The interior of the
building was instantly demolished and
developed in flames. Hsumoeller was
lstruck by the slaves of the bursting keg
/, and rendered unconscious. However,
Becker and Alexander succeeded in carry
| ing him out of the building before he
twas seriously burned.
| Then Becker made a great mistake.
He went back into the roaring flames to
get the money from the cash drawer
and to see that the safe was locked.
When he came out, and how he got out
| is mystery. All the clothing was
burned from the upper part of his body
except the neck band and bosom OF
This shirt and the wrist bands. The flesh
all over his body from the waist up is
lfrightfully burned. Notwithstanding his
lawful burns, Becker rushed upstairs.
where his family lived, and carried down
two of his young children. Then he walk
ed over to DIR. Hunte's office to receive
attention for his burns. Such endurance
and vitality is wonderful.
| The Becker building, two story frame
and everything in it except the contents
of the safe, were destroyed. The family
saved nothing but the clothing they had
| on.
Clarence Cornell's building, separated
| by only twenty five feet, was damaged tc
some extent by the flames and the re-
naming losses were occasioned by re-
moving stock and fixtures. AS near AS
can be estimated at this time the losses
are as follows: Carl Becker, saloon and
residence, $4,000; Clarence Cornell, dam
age to building and barber shop fixtures.
5000; o. n. Eteenstrup, jeweler, 5000;
Armstrong Telephone company, $500;
Hecht Bros, meat market, 500; R.
Jones' hardware, $3.50; other minor
losses, 500.
DR.. Hunte worked increasingly for fif-
| teen hours on Becker. A Madelia doc-
tor saws he can not live but Hunte says
| he will if hard work and good care will
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