Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-26
Gasoline Lamp ExpIodes
InFrank Poo|er's Store.
Mr.. PooIer Scorched and Burned
THE Damage About $500.
Charles Provost's Hair Singed...
Wonderful Escape Of Both.

That someone is not dead or serious
ly injured on account of the explosion
OF an overheated gasoline lamp that
occurred here about II A. NJ. Tuesday
Is almost a miracle.
In the cobbler store of Frank Poole.
on Madison avenue the large plate
glass window was blown out with the
sash and thousands of pieces Of the
broken glass were hurled nearly across
the street. The partition between the
store Of Frank PooIer and Charles
Jones' insurance office was broken and
the plastering ripped off as if lightning
had been playing tricks. The furniture
in the insurance office was tipped over
by the shaking and shock. A trap door
In the floor Of the Office was thrown
open. Also the plate glass in the WIN
dow of the office was blown out Frank
Pooier was burned about the face ana
hands. but not seriously injured.
The explosion was due to an over
heated gasoline lamp. Mr.. Pooler has
a stitching machine which runs by
electricity and tank for wax is at
tachcd on the back. 1t is necessary
tfaf+ this wax be kept very hot for it
To run through the machine. The wax
IS kept hot by a small gasoline lamp
holding about a quart of gasoline at
one time, that is placed down under the
wax tank. 1t is generally believed that
Just before the explosion that a little
OF this hot wax dropped down upon the
gasoline lamp and caused vapor from
the gasoline.
Mr.. Pooler was at the time of the ex-
plosior standing directly in front of
the machine. Suddenly there was a
flash of fire and the explosion followed
Immediately The fire caught onto Mr..
Poolcr's coat and he rushed through
INTO Mr.. Merrilis shoe store. His face
was burned and his hair scorched.
CHARLES Provost just before the ex-
piosion was sitting in the large window
and ne arose to go out and as he was
going through the door the explosion
took place. His hair was burned but
otherwise he was not hurt. The dam
age is estimated to be about $500.
The local order of the Golden Cross
held its annual installation of the Off
GERS for the ensuing year. The Off
GERS We're installed by A. S. Bangs of
Augusta, Grand Noble Commander of
Maine. After the installation there
was a banquet given in Grand Army
Hall. The following officers were in
stalled: w. A. Smith, noble comman-
der; Mrs. Maude~ Albee, keeper of re-
cords; Mrs. Maude Adams, vice noble
commander; Mrs Lila Saley, prelate;
Charles Turner, herald; Mrs. Rosa
Smith. financial keeper of records:
Nathan Shepley. warden of inner
gate; Robert Burpee, warden of outer
gate; George L. Cleveland. past noble
commander.
Mrs. Mary Brainard and daughter.
Miss Carolyn Branard. left on the
morning train Tuesday for Boston.
They VIII sail from there Saturday on
the steamer 'Cretic'' for Europe.
they will spend several months
abroad and will visit Egypt.
Mrs. Bruce white and her son. Mas
ter James Fellows White, went to Bos-
ton Tuesday. where they will join Mrs.
James Fellows, who is visiting friends
IN Boston for several days. They will
be absent about week.
Miss Edith Lewis went to F'oxboro
tuesday. where she will visit Mr.. and
Mrs. Earl Smith for several days.
Hon. L. l.. Walton was in Water
vile Tuesday on business.
There will be social in the Congre-
gational church Friday evening, given
by the Christian Endeavor Society of
the church.
The Somerset Lodge. F. and A. NJ,
elected and installed it's officers for
the ensuing year. The officers We're
installed by Rupert Jackson. past
master. The officers elected and in
stalled were: Fred Lawrence, mas
ter: Edward A. Parker, senior war;
Den; Abbott Nelson, junior warden;
Rupert jackson, treasurer: c. NJ. Lam
merit, secretary; B. A. Sawyer. trus-
tee; c. A. Ross, George Sampson and
w. L. Seekins, committee on finance |
AFTER these officers had been installed |
they appointed and installed the fol-
lowing officers: Senior deacon, A. r. |
Jones: Junior deacon, w. H. Hight:
senior steward, w. r. Seekins; Junior
steward, c. M. Holt; chaplain. r. B.
Lancaster: marshal, A. 1. Sawyer;
tyler, E. c. Dunton.
Clarence Hight went to Jackman
Tuesday on business.