The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-04-04
FATAL EXPLOSION
ON RIVER STREET.
ACETYLENE GAS WRECKS BUILDING
AT CORNER OF MARTIN, AND
INJURIES TWO.
JOSEPH HEMETAIS DEAD.
Terrific Conclusion Blows Windows in
Neighboring Houses to
Pieces.

MILWAUKEE, Wis., April IL Spe-
cial Joseph Hemeta 3l4S Center street
was killed and Arthur l.. Judge was bad
IL injured in an explosion of an acctylcne
gas plant in the basement of the building
on the northwest corner of River and
Martin streets ut 1870 o'clock this morn
ing The building which is a onc-story
structure was badly damaged, the entire
front ANA side being demolished.
Explosion in Light Works.
Tho explosion occurred in the offices of
the Avery Portable Lighting company
which occupies the basement OF the
building Homcta and Judge were with
in few feet of the explosion when II
occurred and were terribly burned. They
were taken TO the Emergency hospital.
Chauffeur Cut by Glass.
John Harrison, Isaac Anderson and
Arthur Kaestrr were in the office at the
time. Harrison being slightly injured
and the other two escaping unhurt. l.
&. Avery, the proprietor of the e-tah-
Ilslmcnt. was standing on the sidewalk
with his chauffeur, Herbert White, who
was struck 10y flying glass and cut about
tho head and arms.
The upper part of the building is oc-
cupied by The Bonanza saloon. W.
\. Wrpecr. Max Guhl and the bartender
Charles Specs. were the only ones IN the
place when the explosion happened, All
but Specs escaping uulnJured. specs
was Slightly hurt.
Conclusion Heard for Blocks.
The explosion could be heard Tor
blocks and the conclusion in the neigh
bOrhuod was so great that large win
dows in the buildings across the street
were shattered. Witnesses state that
huge sheet Of flame swept across Mar
tin trcct
The fixtures in the saloon and all Of
the furniture were practically dcmoI-
ishcd The offices of the lighting cuIn'
pauy below were also wrecked.
Men Blown Through Windows.
Specs ana Wepscr were blown through
one Of the windows by the force OF the
explosion. Specs ran back into the base,
mcMt, and. with several others. assisted
in roscuing Hcmeta and Judge WHOSE
clothing had caught fire
An examination of IIcmcta's injurct
This noon showed that he had no CHANCE
of recovery while little hope was cntcrt
tanned for Judge.
Used Torch on Tank.
BY some mistake or in ignorance
Hcmcta had taken up a charged accty-
lcuc tank and was using a blast torch on
il. The gas became heated and rose 10
Il tremendous pressure. When the tank
could stand no more it burst and lIcmcta
who was bending over it was badly
crushed and burned. He was thrown
with great violence against the east
wall Of the building, and Arthur Judge
who was also working near the east ENG
of the building within a few feet Of
Hrmyta was thrown against the nortm
wall.
Supt. John Harrison was working i'm
the middle of the basement and the force
of the explosion carried him for fifty feet
against the wall. Harrison immediate
ly turned his attention to his companions
and rushing over. found them both ~
ing on the floor with their clothes mass
of flames. lie tried to cNtngulSh the
ilamcs and reach the door with one OF
the men, but boxes, wires and other rub
Dish Lad been blown against the door
and DC could not get out. His left hand
WAS badly burned While trying io "N-
t.u-Gi-l the flames.
Judge Pinned in Corner.
Judge ua. pinned in one corner near
t.o basement ontronee, on River street
ls. 0wbpr- aul wire and his clothes were
almost purIIy burned off his body be-
for. help from the outside could reach
him.
George Duffy, known ais Young
Duffy. % pug.lI~t, Charles Specs, IT, bar
tender who with Max GuhI were blown
oar through tnc front Of the building,
immediately rushed to the aid If the men
in the basement and with X. W, SCrlcld,
ii ula~rI-hy. they succeeded after a Strug
gle In hrrgniug aside the barrier in front
Of iuc door ANA carried Judge "uisld"
where d, polio" ambulance was waiting.
lIpmrlr was also taken to a patrol WaE
ON uuo hurried to the Emergency hos
III, entire force of She explosion was
c1Uruded along the front of the building
and very little tire followed, Tie ilr"
department arrived on the scene aud thr
hrrmpn under the direction Of 'hi,l
Clancy helped in carrying the men 10
the patrol wagons.
Building Owned by Dr. Lang,
Hundreds of charged tauhs lay III the
basement within ten feet of the place
whore the tank exploded, but none OF
thcm wa. moved.
The bulIlng which is owned 10y Or
Lang. Walnut street, is damaged to the
extent of $1,000.
"Ihuu~Wds nt our tanks. are ~ use
and we never Had an explosion said
L. &. Avery. And the accident
could only have occurred through gross
clrclossncsS on the part Of lIcmcta in di-
rect disregard Of his positive instructions
not 10 work on loaded tank
Few people Wcr" passing at the time,
and mo- oup was near the front Of the
building with The exception of Mr. Avery
and his chauffeur.
Herbert WrtDo and John Harrison were
taken To- hospital for treatment.
La Crosse Strike Spreads.