The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-13
U. STUDENT IS
NEAR GAS VICTIM
THREE CASES or GAS AxPHYlA-
TON AT OR NEAR GRAND
FoRKs-sTUDENT Is
IN BAD SHAPE.

Grand Forks, n. D., Dec. 13.-John
Milckelson, a sophomore at the univer-
sity, nearly lost his life Saturday as
result of suffocation from coal gas.
The nurse at the Deaconess hospital
where MikkeIson Ywas taken from his
rooming place at 800 E3elnlont avenue.
said yesterday, morning that the boy
was breathing easier and the convuf-
sions which accompany this form of
poisoning were less frequent. This
would indicate that there is splendid
chance Of his ultimate recovery. Al
change for the worse, however, is not
unlikely at any time m
Mikkelson's case was the most seri-
Gus of three cases of asphyxiation
which occurred in this locality Friday
might. The other sufferers from coal
gas were Mr.. and Mrs. Abromvich and
six-year-old son who 1--WE on Oak
street, and Mr.. and Mrs H. l.. Emery,
who live on the Emery farm at Emer-
ado. Miklxelson's case, however, Is
the only one that can really be called
serious, although the other people had
very narrow escapes.
That Mikkelsoii was not suffocated-
is little short of a miracle Gas had
escaped in his room from detective
pipe and only the Suspicion OF his
landlady that something must ! be.
wrong, when he failed to get up, saved
him from complete suffocation. Mix
kelson, who is 21 years old and came
from Cummings, N. D., retired to his
room at an early hour Friday eve
ming. He ffaileI to get UP ar the usual
time Saturday morning. Finally when
1880 o'clock came without any sign
Of his rising for the day his land
lady started an investigation and
found the young man barely breathing
with the room full of gas Drs VIII
Hanson and Engstad were Immediate
ly summoned and the boy was taken
to the hospital. Everything, possible
was done to revive him, but the doc
tors despaired Of his life until a late
hour last evening. Mfltl1elson is we'll
liked at the university and the stu
dents will welcome the news that he
is nearly out of danger.
Three Near Death.
The fact that neighbors noticed that
there was nothing stirring about the
house and started an investigation
saved the lives of Mr.. and Mrs.
Abromovich and their 6-year- old son.
at 4O1 Oak street When found by
at g. O'Clock yesterday
morning, the three were in semi
conscious condition and a few hours
more would have meant death. AS it
was it required several hours work
on the part of physicians to save their
lives. The doctor reported yesterday
afternoon, however, that the members
of the family WaRld rrecover. 4Ee
Al disconnected stove pipe allowed
coal gas to preyade. the house during
the night and was unnoticed by the
sleeping people. Neighbors, however,
noticed that all was quiet in the
house instead of the usual morning
activity and that Moses Abromvich,
who is a shoemaker, did not go to
work. They Immediately started an
investigation and found the three in
bed nearly suffocs ted. The house was
at once thrown open to the air and
medical aid summoned
The least serious of the three cases
of near asphyxiation Was that on the
Emery farm near Emerald. About /
o'clock Saturday morning, H. L.
Emery was awakened sby the cold and
found that. he was very weak from
the effects Of coal gas. He endeavored
to arouse his wife, but when she at
tempted to get up fell unconscious.
Help was summoned, the house thrown
open to the air and Mrs. Emery was
soon revived. 1t was later found that
the two boys Of the amily, Charles
and William, we're also suffering some
what from the effects of the coal gas
which had escaped from the coal
stove. All members of the family are
recovering nicely.