Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-08-23
SEWER EXPL ODES
IN BUSY STREET.
BYSTANDERS INJURED AT SECOND
BLAST, TAKEN TO THE
EMERGENCY.
CCUMUlATED GAS IGNlTED.
Terrific Decorations Follow Each Other
in Rapid Succession on Michi-
gan Street

MILWAUKEE,. Wis, Aug. 49, Spe-
cial. Three deafeuing 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 severly 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, 10 Bur
leigh, employed by Mailer & AlDeringer.
f. L. Kohorn, % years, married, sales
man, lOl2 Eighteenth street, employed by
Dallen & Co.
John Cztlwinski, 40 years. married. la
borer 1912 Fifth avenue, employed by Shear
company.
Alexander Boroski 40 years. married,
miner 1913 American avenue, employed by
street car company.
G. c. Mcknight, 20 years, salesman, Fifth
and Sycamore.
Norvin Schissler, II years, clerk. 81
Western avenue, emf Logged by Northwestern
Mutual Life.
Mrs. l. sherman, Sc years, Whitewater
Herman Siebowitz IA years, school boy,
1924 GaIcna
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 on the head, face and arms. Some
were injured by being thrown forcibly
against the pavement, while others were
struck by flying glass, and still others
We're burned by the flame 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
4 few minutes previous to the explo-
siOns fire was seen bursting from the
river ends of these sewers, and it was
feared that a fire had broke out in 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-
lous.
Many Windows Shattered
tered by tie 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 We're hurt by fall
ing glass. Glass continued to fall from
the buildings long after the explosions
ceased The 0. G. Hansen Manufacture
ing company, the Marine National bank,
Hackett 4 Hoff, nearly all of the offices
in the Mitchell building, the Milwaukee
National bank building, the Mann-Gru-
Der company and Bernstein & thinner
mann, all in the immediate vicinity, sus-
tanned hundreds of dollars of damage
through broken glass. Several large
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
q 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. F. Shcrer,
one of the commissioners of public works,
this afternoon but we will make Il
thorough investigation with 4 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 in placing
a syphon from its tunnel at the corner
Of Michigan and East Water street into
the sewer. l do not care to make any
statement without a knowledge Of the
facts, but ] am convinced that the gas
mains have been tapped and that the
gas mas leaked into the sewers. | do
not think that the explosions were caused
by sewer gas
Chief Clancy Of the fire department
questioned the worllmen who are doing
the work for the heating company, but lie
was unable to learn anything definite
about the accident