The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-08-11
GAS DEALS IN Death.
Explosion of a Carbonic Acid
Tank In Drug Store.
Results In Killing of w. L.
Hughes OF Mankato.
Awful Accident Occurred In
Minneapolis Last Night.
Deceased Was a Graduate OF
The High School Here.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
News of the death of W. l.. Hughes,
a son of Contractor Richard Hughes,
was received last evening from Mime
apolis. The details of the awful acct
dent which befell the young man were
given in this mornings Minneapolis
Tribune:
The bursting of tank highly charged
with carbonic acid gas attached to the
soda fountain in the drug store of A. II.
Crowell, 1912 Hennepin avenue, caused
the death of W. L. Hughes, young
clerk. about six o'clock last evening.
The young man who was only eight
cen wears of age, was in the basement
attached a cylinder of carbonic acid
gas to the gas and water tank of the
fountain. 1t is not known how the eX
plosion occurred, or what caused it, but
the young clerk must have been bending
over the apparatus. At any rate the
lower part of his body was terribly
torn, and both his thigh bones were
broken. and the combined injuries re-
suited in his death just as the police
ambulance got him to the City hospital.
His death was directly caused by the
shock and loss of blood.
Hughes was at work charging with
gas ten gallon tank which was partial
" filled with water. He had connected
the heavy cylinder in which the gas is
delivered with the tank that leads to
the soda foucets i'm the fountain when
the contrivance burst.
The tanks are tested as high as 500
pounds to the square inch and 1T Is
doubtful whether the pressure in
charging the water rose higher than
l25 pounds The tank that burst was a
comparatively new one, having been in
use but few times.
The report from the explosion could
be heard for nearly block but, al
though the force exerted by the bursting
tank was terrific within the space of a
few feet. outside of several overturned
boxes there was no other damage.
Mr.. Crowell, the proprietor, was in the
store at the time. He rushed down the
cellar within a few seconds after the
explosion
Hughes was lying on his face at the
front part of the basement bleeding
prOfusely but still conscious. His clothes
were saturated with the water from the
tank which, from mixing with the blood,
ran along the floor in Redeemed
stream. He was hastily carried upstairs
where DIR. Marry Towers, who CHANGED
to be in the store, gave him what tenn
porary relief was possible.
1t was plain that the boy was in a
precarious condition and the police am
bulance was Immediately summoned
Hughes lower limbs were so severely
llidI lllt lOSS VI DlOou SlcdI-
" weakened him. Within a few mo-
ments the wagon was on the scene and
he was driven with all haste to the City
hospital
Shorely after the start was made
Hughes became unconscious and never
rallied before the end came. He had
scarcely been taken inside the doors of
the hospital when his last bit of strength
left him and he died without a struggle
His father, Richard Hughes, a promi
nent contractor of MankatO, was mott
fed of his sons death and sent word
that he would be in the city this morn,
ing. Young Hughes had just finished
his course in the Mankato high school
last spring and came here four weeks
ago to learn the druggist business. He
was exceedingly popular among the
younger people of his home city where
he had spent the greater part of his
life. While in Minneapolis he boarded
at "A Eleventh street north
A. P. Crowell will probably insist that
an inquest be held to determine upon
whom the responsibility of the boy:
death rests. Coroner J. NJ Kiestler view
ed Hughes remains last evening but
did not decide upon further investiga
ton at that time.