The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-26
OIL CAN EXPLODES
INFL|CT|NG DEATH
Walter Aldrich Meets Tragic
Death at Corona
WIFE IS ALSO BURNED
Burning Kerosene oil Is Scattered Over
Bedroom When Explosion Occurs.
AIdrich Was Building Fire.
Andy Robinson Killed

Corona, February 25.-(Special)-
The serious injury Of his wife and the
death of Walter Aldrich, for IL years
operator for the Southern railroad at
Corona, was the result of the explo-
sion of a kerosene oil can at the Al
drich home here this morning about
o'clock. In the unfortunate acct
dent Aldrich sustained horrible burns
but, suffering intense pain, fingered be-
tween life and death for period of
Il hours. While Mrs. Aldrich Is seri-
ously burned about the face. neck, arms
and feet, 1t is not believed that she is
dangerously injured.
AS stated, Mr.. Aldrioh was the oper-
ator at the Southern railway depot
at Corona, his hours of duty being
from l p. m. to 10 p. IA. This morn
ing he arose at about 8 o'clock, as
usual, and before d-essing decided to
build up the fire n the bed room,
which he and his wife occupied. He
took the oil can md was pouring
oil on the fire WHEN the flame ran
ap into the can. The can exploded
almost Immediately and burning oil
was blown into practically every cor
ner of the bedroom, igniting COM
1ustible goods and making the place
1 veritable furnace.
When the explosion occurred Aldrich,
with night clothes alamo, ran through
the kitchen to u birrel of water in
he yard, tracks of blood left behind
aim showing the horrible nature of
the burns sustained. Railroad men,
who were nearby. saw him and rush ed
to his rescue. The tore the burn
ing clothes from his body and throw
,ng a sheet around aim, removed him
to the Corona hospital, where Drs.
Cunningham and Cailton, attending
physicians Immediately pronounced the
burns fatal. The unfortunate man
suffered untold agony for II hours,
md finally succumbed tonight at 8
O'Clock.
Mrs. Aldrich, who was still in bed
when the explosion occurred, was bad
Y burned. The burning oil was thrown
yer the bed which she occupied and
the bed coverings we're quickly set
ablaze. Mrs. Aldrich succeeded in
making her way through the flames,
which practically filed the room by
he time she could get up, and upon
entering the dining room of the home
ierked a heavy linen table cover from
the dining table and wrapped it around
err She then laid down on the floor
and rolled herself up in the cloth. and
in this manner succeeded in smother
'ng the flames before she was fatally
hurned as was her husband.
Mrs Aldrich was removed to the Co
ona hospital, where her husband was
llso taken. The attending physicians
tate that her burns are not necessar-
ily of a dangerous nature.
The bedroom where the explosion
occurred presents fearful sight and
t Is considered remarkable that Mrs.
Aldrich escaped with her life. Furni-
ture, clothing and shoes which were
In the room were burned to a crisp and
the ceiling was badly scored. But
FOR the timely work of neighbors the
home would probably have been de-
stroyed
Mr. Aldrich was very popular with
The patrons of the Southern railroad
here and probably no man could boast
of more friends than he. Having been
operator here for IL years he was
known and esteemed by practically ev-
eryone in the community. The deceased
was 20 years old
The aged father and mother of the
deceased, who live here, are heart
broken. Mr.. and Mrs. Drew Wright of
Fayette are here with Mrs. Aldrich,
tn cir daughter.
About o'clock tonight Andy Rob-
inson, an employee of the Corona Coal
and Iron company, met with a tragic
death at Lockhart tipple, about mile
west of Corona. Robinson was for
some reason under a coal car on the
side track when a switch engine came
along and moved the car. The I'M
fortunate man was caught under the
wheels and was killed almost instant
ly. The body was terribly mangled.
Robinson was a married man, and
was about so years old. He is sur
viyed by his widow and several chill
dren. The deceased was generally re-
garded as an upright man and was
perhaps one of the most popular men
in the employ of the Corona Coal and
Iron company.