Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-20
CHAUFFEUR TERRIBLY BURNED
Frank Bausenek Taken to Hospital in
Precarious Condition from Burns.
SIX HORSES DIE IN FLAMES
Department is Without Equipment
and Police Great Handicapped.
PRISONERS HELP FIGHT FLAMES
one Refuses Pardon Ne Reward
Chief DOnahue Was About 60
Enter Barn when Explosion
occurred.

ONNuNNU1a
Fred Rausenel, chauffeur for the police
de apartment, was terribly burned about the
face and body, six horses were burned tc
death and damage to the amount of N2,0N
was done when the police automobile patrol
blew up at $50 o'clock Friday afternoon,
partially wrecking the barn at police head
quarters, Eleventh and Dodge streets, and
starting fire which completely burn I'd
the place Had the accident happened
few minutes later Chief of Police ]. J
Donahue would undoubtedly have had
narrow escape, as he was just about 70 so
to the barn when the first Of two explo-
sions occurred.
Tho dropping of a plug out of the gaso
line tank beneath the automobile, a Whits
steamer. while Mr. Bausenek was engaged
in putting the machine in shape for winter
use, which caused the gasoline to leak and
become ignited from the fire still burning
beneath the engine. was responsible for
what may yet be a tragedy Bausenek,
who was kneeling near the rear Of the
machine, was completely enveloped in
flames and his clothing literally burned
from his body.
To two heroic prisoners and Driver VIII
probably owes his life At the risk OF
their own lives Harry Axierod and Martin
Kane better known as Bill yMartln,
rushed to the rescue of Bausenes. although
the flames were leaplng about their feet,
and dragged him outside the burning strue-
ture At the door they weer met by MUIR
ply, who assisted in the work, and who
had his left hand badly burned while doing
so.
Rewarded with PardOns.
AS a result Of the herosm displayed
Axlerod ana Kane together with M Flant-
gan, who was helping Bausenek at the
time Of the accident, We're last night
| pardoned by Police Captain Mostyn.
Chieff of Police Donahue last evening
roughly estimated the loss at $4,000, TO
say nothing of the Inconvenience the de-
| partment Is put to. But one Of the seven
/ horses In the barn at the time was saved,
and this animal only because he was just
being changed from the patrol wagon TO
the stable in the rear of the barn. Charles
Simpson, who wa sloafing around the
/ barn, was leading the horse away when
! the first explosion occurred. He at once
/ led the animal out through a small rear
door and then returned In an endeavor TO
save the other animals. His efforts, how
ever, were futile.
Two, Of tho horses had just been hitched
to the wagon and they died in their traces
AS the flames enveloped the building both
animals turned toward the main door in
their fright, but the dense smoke instantly
overcame them and for several hours
after the accident they lay as they fell,
their heads toward the front door and
4 freedom.
Bausenek was found to have been badly
burned about the face, arms and upped
body. Several physicians were immedi-
ately summoned and after his burns were
temporarily dressed he was removed 20
tho Omaha General hospital. Bausenek Il
a married man with a large family and
resides at 1886 Vinton street. Chief Dom
ahue. being on the scene when the aocl-
dent occurred, Immediately assumed
charge and saw TO II that the injured man
was given every possible attention.
Plans for Relief.
The chief announced last night that IN
all probability a special meeting of the
city council and Of the Fire and Polio,
board would be called today to consider
means Of relieving the situation without
horses, auto patrol or wogan, exc pting
one stationed at one Of the fire stations.
the department is greatly handicapped A
White steamer was loaned the departme mt
iaHi hiHHL ny AHt DIuAlfuOnO agency GhleE
Donahue believes Mayor Dahlman who lS
at Excelsior Springs, Mo, will start for
Omaha Immediately upon learning the
news. In the meantime the department
VIII struggle along as best It can
Bausenek, the chauffeur was just finish
ing his days work when the accident oc-
CURED. Because Of the near approach OF
winter he was engaged IN putting the autN
patrol In shape for cold weather. He haO
succeeded in placing the pro lection chains
upon the tires and was doing some work.
Just what could not be learned last night
because OF Bauseneks weak condition.
when suddenly a plug in the gasoline tank
beneath the body Of the car dropped out.
In the barn al the time were Mur9hv.
driver Of the auto wagon, who had Just
changed the day team for the night: simp-
son. who was leading one OF the day
horses into the stable; Axlerod. standing
near the machine; Flanagan, assisting
: Bausepek, and Kane, sweeping out soma
or the stalls In the rear OF the. stable
As the gasoline started TO pour out on
the floor Bausenek called for someone 10
bring him pail so that he might catch
the explosive fluid Before anyone could
reach him an explosion occurred, evidently
> the gasoline fumes becoming ignited from
p the fire beneath the auto engine Iiv-
ing torch BauseneA staggered TO his feet
and then fell forward Axlerod. Kane and
! Flanagan rushed TO his rescue. Half
Z carrying half dragging. they managed 10
{ get the burning man to the door. from
) where he staggered to a patch Of grass
I about thirty feet away
Seated in the office Of Detective Captain
. Savage, at the south end Of the Jail at
5 the time were Chief OF Police Donahue.
q Captain Savage and II B. NILS head OF
the United States secret service in Omaha.
S Chief Donahue was just about 10 leave tho
h office for the barn when Captain Savage
. glaneng out OF the window. saw Bausenek
a mass OF flames. Instantly all was con-
+ fusion. The brick stable was by this time
d a mass OF flames within. While Officers
\ and prisoners tried 20 tear Bausenek's
clothing from his body, q second explosion