Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-08-23
SEWER EXPlODES
IN BUSY STREET.
BYsTANDERS INJURED AT SECOND
BLAST, TAKEN TO THE
EMERGENCY.
ACCUMULATED GAS lGNITED.
Terrific Decorations Follow Each Other
in Rapid Succession on Michi-
gan Street.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Aug. 19.-[Spe-
ciaL Three deafening explosions at
o'clock this afternoon, followed by great
volumes of smoke issuing from three
manholes in the city sewers on Michigan
street, between East Water street and
Broadway, caused CONSERVATION among
pedestrians and occupants of the bust
ness offices il that vicinity.
Several persons were severity cut by
falling glass from the windows. The
injured were conveyed to Emergency
hospital.
The Injured.
The injured are as follows:
Walter Menhardt, 16 years. clerk, 119 Bur
leigh, employed by Mailer & Alberinger.
4. L. Kohorn, % years, married. sales
man, 1912 Eighteenth street, employed by
Dalien Co.
John Cztwnski 40 years married la
borer, 1912 Fifth avenue employed by Shear
company.
Alexander Boroski. A. years, married,
miner, 793 American avenue, employed by
street car company.
C. G. Mcknight, % years, salesman, Fifth
and Sycamore.
Noryin schissler, II years, clerk. 81
Western avenue, employed by Northwestern
Mutual Life.
Mrs I. Sherman, Sc years Whitewater
Herman Siebowitz, II years, school boy,
1924 Galena.
Harry Stratton, employed by c. r. Lull
Co, cut on hand by falling glass.
None Seriously Hurt.
None of those taken to the Emergency
hospital were much hurt. Eight in all
were received there and treated for cuts.
bruises and burns. These injuries were
chiefly OF the head. face and arms. Some
were injured by being thrown forcibly
struck by flying glass, and still others
were burned by the fame which issued
from the sewer manhOle at the corner OF
East Water and Michigan streets. 1t is
expected that all will leave the hospital
this afternoon,
The damage by broken windows in the
vicinity will amount to $1,000 or more.
Fire Department Called.
A few minutes previous to the explo-
sions fire was seen bursting from the
river ends of these sewers. and it was
feared that fire had broke out i'll the
vicinity.
The fire department and several am
balances were quickly on the scene. The
escape from death to those nearby at
the time is regarded as almost miracu-
IOuS
Many Windows Shattered.
Windows for several blocks were shat
tered by the terrific force of the blasts.
the buildings on the four corners about
the place suffering greatly. Practically
every window in the building occupied
by the Drake Drug company was shat
tered. Several people were hurt by tai
ing glass Glass continued to fall from
the buildings long after the explosions
ceased. The O. c.. Hansen Manufacture
ing company, the Marine National bank
,Hackett & Hoff, nearly all of the offices
in the Mitchell building, the Milwaukee
National bank building, the Mann-Gru-
der company and Bernstein & thinner
tmann, all in the Immediate vicinity, sus-
ltained hundreds of dollars of damage
Through broken glass. Several large
windows in the offices of Hackett II
!HOff, costing over 500 each. were shat
tered. This was also the case IN the
Marine National bank.
The force Of the explosion was upward
and in most cases, with the exception of
the Marine National bank and Hackett
Il Hoff, the greater force of the explo-
sion was expended on the upper floors
of surrounding buildings.
Thinks Gas Mains Were Tapped
Il am unable to say at this time what
caused the explosions said J. z. Sherer,
one of the commissioners of public works,
this afternoon but we will make a
thorough investigation with view of
placing the responsibility for the acct
dent, if it can be attached to anyone.
The Central Heating company has
had force of men engaged i'll placing
a SyphOn from its tunnel at the corner
of Michigan and East Water street into
the sewer | do not care to make any
statement without a knowledge of the
facts, but / am convinced that the gas
Imains have been tapped and that the
gas ms leaked into the sewers. | do
mot think that the explosions were caused
by sewer gas"
Chief Clancy of the fire department
questioned the workmen who are doing
the work for the heating company, but he
was unable to learn anything definite
;ab0ut the accident.