The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-03-03
DIED FOM
Mr.. Robert e. Presson Passed Away
Yesterday Afternoon From Injuries
Sustained I'm an ExpIosion-Funeral
From Late Residence this After
noon at 9 O'Clock.

Mr.. Robert E. Presson who was III
jured on Tuesday. February 21st, by On
explosion of gas, died yesterday after
noon at sos o'clock at he James
Walker Memorial hospital where lie
was carried Immediately after the acct
dent occurred.
The explosion in which Mr.. Presson
received his injuries occurred about %
O'Clock Of February 21sb while he
was at work on a tank car DIT
the Seaboard station. Mr.. Presson was
a machinist and the tank that he was
at work on had recently been flied
with gasoline n when the tank vas
emotied a very small quantity of gas
olene had been left in the tank, just
enough to fill the tank with the gas.
Mr.. Presson removed h cpa from the
tank and lowered himself into the tank
and almost Immediately the explosion
occurred. 1t is thought that the tacks
Of Mr.. Presson's shoe striking the steel
tank caused a slight spark, which caused
the explosion. The tank was uniu-
jured but Mr.. Presson was terribly
burned before he could be pulled from
the tank. His ace was terribly burn
ed Inc his body was also badly burn
ed. It was thought after he passed the
first twenty-four hours after the acci-
dent that he might and hopes
of his recovery were entertained until
yesterday morning when it became ap-
parent hat he was rapidly sinking. He
was conscious until about two. hours
before his death. The remains were
carried to the residence of his mother,
Mrs. Elizabeth Presson, No. PA Chest
nut street. last night.
Robert Earl Presson was the young
est son Of Mrs. Elizabeth PresSon, and
the late Thomas J.. PreSson. He was
% years OF age end was born in Klns-
ton, but when quite a small boy his
parents moved to Wilmington.
Mr.. Presson was a machinist and was
employed by Mr.. Charles NJ. Whitlock
at his machine shops. He was a most
competent machinist and was highly
regarded by his employers. Early IL
September, while in the course of his
duties, Mr.. Presson came very neal be
ing killed. He and the late Mr.. E. p.
Bryan were at work on an elevator in
the Rheinstein building, when one side
Of the elevator gave way and MIR. Bry-
an fell from the fourth to the ground
floor sustaining injuries from which he
died a few hours later. Mr.. P~resson,
with are presence Of mind, g~raspei
a ledge OF the wall n chung to it
with the tips of his fingers until assis-
lance reached him.
The deceased met with the accident
which caused his death while in the
pursuit of duties that devOlved upon
him as a machinist. His work rs a
machinist sometimes caused him to
have to do work of a perilOuS nature
but he never let fear of danger aus
him TO shirk his duty in h trade he
had adopted.
The deceased was a member of the
Boys Brigade and had belonged to that
organization since it was founded some
nine years ago. He was one of the most
highly regarded members of the COM
pany. The members Of the Boys Bril-
gade have been ordered to meet at the
ar1nor this afternoon at 1870 O'Clock
for the of attending the fun
eral in a body.
Mr.. Presson was a devoted member
of Emmanuel Presbyterian church He
a member of Hanover Lodge of
Odd Fellows and the members of that
order will attend the funeral in a body.
The deceased is survived by his wife,
was a Miss Pearl Montgomery,
and an infant daughter about n year
old. He also leaves his mother, Mrs.
Elizabeth Presson, one brother, Mr.. J.
w. Presson and five sisters, Mrs. W. T.
McGalliard, of Connolly Springs, N. O.;
Misses Lilly, Katie, Beatrice and Bessie
Presson, all of this city. The bereaved
family have the heart felt sympathy Of
the community in their great sorrow.
The funeral will be conducted from
the late residence, No. PA Chestnut
street, this afternoon at 3 o'clock with
interment in Oakdale cemetery.