The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-10
FOUL GAS CAUSES
DEATH OF TWO men
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OCCURS AT
~ ONEIDA BLOCK.
u t.N,..aAeIi 'E-@- n Nv y
Monrad A., Lund, Working, in Bottom Of
: Elevator Pit, Is Overcome by Foul
Air, and Nordal Nelson, Attempting
Rescue, Is Also Overcome-Diver Re-
T covers Bodies.

covers Bodies. .. u. +.
In heroic attempt to save the life
of Monard A. Lund, who was overcome
by poisonous gas while working in the
elevator shaft of the Oneida block Sun
day afternoon, Nordal Nelson was also
overcome by the foul air, and the two
men died in the bottom Of the pit be-
fore the police and iremen could get
to them.
a small shaft below the main shaft in
order to install plunger elevator. The
main shaft was thirty feet below the
street level, and it was in the bottom
of this shaft that the men, who were
cousins, met them DEATH -. j..
Risks His Life. !. j.
Lund went to the bottom Of the shaft
first to- remove a stone that, had fallen
in and obstructed the drill. He knew
that his life was in danger, for he had
worked there nearly two 4weeks, and
accumulation of, gas: inss3the open
ing had been overcome by the : use
Of air pumps. Yesterday the pump
large amount Of the gas could easily
be detected from the top: Neverthe-
less, he descended; but had been at
the bottom only moment when he
called for help. He then became un-
conscious
Nelson knew Immediately what had
happened and, calling for help to sew
eral men who were standing Just out
side the entrance to the building, he
grasped the rope and descended to res
cue his cousin. He, too, was overcome.
for when the men ran to the opening
in answer to his call they could only
hear the means of the two prisoners
in the bottom of the pit.
Policeman in Danger. .
Patrolman .Champlin was called in
and after sending calls to the police
and fire departments, started to descend
the shaft. but was prevented by the
men who knew it meant sure death to
him. For a few minutes things@were at
q standstil. The strong men who were
willing to help were prevented from
turning a hand by the lack of ap-
paratus.
The firemen brought ladders, ropes
and lanterns, but when a lantern was
lowered a few feet into the shaft it
went out, showing that life could not
exist in the place. Patrolman Peter
Mclaughlin and Peter Larson, fire.
man, both tried to descend into the
shaft, but both were overcome: by the
gas and had to signal to. be taken out.
= For an hour and a half the ,fruitless
work went on and finally Charles Cook,
273l Fremont avenue S, professional
immediately prepared for the descent
into the shaft to recover the bodies.
In the meantime, an electric light
had been attached to a long wire and
lowered into the shaft. BY means Of
this the men were able to see the bodies.
Lund lay on his face and Nelson 8 un-
conscious form was stretched across
him.
Cook was soon into his suit and with
a good supply Of pure air descended
and in a few minutes Nelson's body
was laid on the sidewalk. DR.: s.. G.
Boron and DR.: j. W. Doyle were on
hand and began work on the, body.
while. Cook. returned to the deathtrapD
and ten minutes later brought the other
body to the surface.
Attempt to Resuscitate.
For twenty minutes the. physicians
worked over the bodies. For a time
Nelson showed some signs Of life, but
We're pronounced dead. -..< = ..
Lund was working for his father, G.
6. Lund, who had the contract for the
: A. >kleckhefer Elevator company. An
airpump was kept in the shaft. until
the middle of last week. Yesterday F.
"A. Pigeon, local manager for the ele-
vator company, told the men not to go
into the shaft without an airpump,
Lund risked it, however, and Nelson
risked and lost his life for his cousin
Lund's father was Frustrated on
hearing of his sons death and was
taken home, in a carriarge. He arrived
at the Oneida building while the fire
men were working to rescue the two
men. The younger Lund was 81 wears
gid and Nelson was "a. Lund lived al
1908 East Franklin avenue, and Mel
son lived few doors from him. :.
The lack Of proper apparatus fol-
handling cases. of this kind was partly
responsible for the death of the two
men. Superintendent of Police. Doyle
said last night that diving suit should
be kept at police headquarters or al
fire headquarters, Cases Of this kline
are NOT: likely. to occur, often, he said
but the money spent for a life-savins
device would be well spent If only one
life could be saved. Steps for sucl
an equipment will probably be taken.
The funeral services over the body
Of Monrad Lund will be held at thu
family residence, 1908 p Franklin ave
nue. Tuesday at pm. The intermen
will be at Hillside cemetery
Nelson s body was taken to Corning
Mimi, this afternoon and the funera
services; will be held at the residenc,
| OF. his parents there.