Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-12-03
APPLYING TORCH TO RECEPTACLE
DURING FILLING PROCESS RE-
SUITS IN ACCIDENT.
INJURED TAKEN TO HOSPITAL.
Force of Blast Throws Walls Into Heap
of Ruins-Neigh Feels
Defamation.
FIRE DEPARTMENT is CALLED.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Nov. 30, 1909
George Odenbrett, 419 Broadway, part
owner of the Gas Tank Recharge COM
pany, 961 North Water street, and a
members of the firm of Bates-Odenbrett,
SOB Broadway, dealers in automobiles,
died in the Lakeside hospital at 40
o'colck today. His death followed inju-
res sustained in an explosion that com
pletely demolished the recharging plant
on North Water street.
Mr.. Odenbrett was within the building
at the time of the blowing up of an
acetylene tank. He was fearfully crushed
and bruised. Immediately thereafter he
was picked up, in semi-conscious condi-
ton, from among the smoking ruins of
the building. He was rushed to the
Lakeside hospital in an automobile. In
spite of desperate efforts of physicians,
he failed to recover He sank steadily
and died at 10 o'clock
Greek at Emergency
The plant of the Gas Tank Recharging
company was reduced to heap of ruins,
scattered bricks and crushed metal.
John Christoples Greek laborer, en-
ployed by Mr.. Odenbrett, was taken to
ously injured. A third man, whose name
could not be ascertained, was thrown
fully 40 feet when the west wall of the
building was blown out with terrific
force. He recovered, however, and was
but slightly injured. He was taken to a
hospital or his home by bystanders.
Were Filling Tank
The explosion took place while Mr..
Odenbrett assisted by Christoples, was
filling a tank with acetylene gas. A re-
port made by the fire department was
that Mr.. Odenbrett was applying a
torch to the tank which was being filled,
and the explosion followed. 1t is said
Odenbrett heated but one side of the
tank with gasoline blow torch and the
safety valve in the tank failed to work.
Building a Ruin.
The building, situated almost directly
under the Holton street viaduct, was a
one-story brick, about 30x15 feet. 1t
was completely demolished in an instant
The report was heard for several blocks
ment was called to the scene, but there
was no blaze. The ruin was the result
of the terrific force of the explosion
alone 1t was difficult to believe that
the pile of bricks marked the site of a
building.
Three Men in Building.
Three men were at work in the build
ing at the time of the explosion. One of
them was thrown more than forty feet.
with the west wall. He was hurled out
ward, with mass of brick and wreck
age. He was, however, not seriously in
jured. He appeared dazed for mo-
ment then regained his feet, and imme-
diately thereafter returned to the scene
of the accident. EFe later managed to
open a desk whose lower half had been
blown off, and secured from it valuable
paper and probably money. Immediately
thereafter he was hurried to hospital
by bystanders. .ss
The other two victims were crushed
against the walls. 1t seemed that the
lesser force of the explosion at the point
they occupied, did them additional harm.
The walls, instead of being blown COM
pletely out as was the west wall We're
merely crushed and fell in The victims
were evidently crushed under them.
The structure was owned by Mr..
Odenbrett and John Heber, Mr.. Oden-
brett is allied with the automobile firm
of Bates & Odenbrett.
The arrival of the fire department.
Immediately after the explosion, probably
prevented a spread of flames Mineral
substances used in the manufacture Of
the gas were covered with earth. The
application of water was impossible, due
to chemical combinations.
Horseshoer Escapes Injury.
The shock of the exploding tank shook
not only the viaduct but equally all ad-
joining buildings. George Duenklin, in
his horse shOeing shop, fully 300 feet
south of the wrecked recharging plant
was hurled from his feet. A horse tied
to one wall of the shop, was thrown
| across the building. Only the merest
chance saved Mr.. Duenklin from being
tramped under the frantic animals
hoofs.
Victims Not Known.
| Once the victims had been moved
from the scene. none seemed to know
| who they were nor just how the accident
| had occurred. The recharge plant was
| erected late in July and has been occU
! pied for only about two months.
The loss is estimated at about $4,000.
| The building was of entire brick con-
struction, one story high, containing two
| rooms.
Mr. Odenbrett is said to be in pre-
carious condition at Lakeside hospital
! and may not recover
Car Windows Smashed.
A street car, passing on the Holton
street viaduct, was Jared from the track.
! Every window in the car was smashed.
! It's passengers were thrown into a panic.
| However. the car was able to proceed
| shortly after the explosion.
On Saturday night Onsted Tornlsdlan.
| a Turk, was arrested in front of the
| Odenbrett Heber recharging plant,
| charged with endeavOring to burgiarlze
| it, He did not secure anything, it is
said. His case is still pending.