Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-09-06
FIREMAN KILLED
TN EXPLOSION
Lars ]. Vik Loses Life In ExDl0.
sion Of Boiler Of Thompson
Bros Steam ThreShcr.

A terrible tragedy occurred near
DeGraff at $50 o'clock a. m. Satur-
day, when the threshing engine be-
longing to Peter G. and John O..
Thompson of New London exploded,
killing Lars Vik, fireman, also resi-
dent Of New London.
The accident occurred on the farm
of Mike Cavanaugh, near the G. N.
tracks a half mile from DeGraff. The
threshers had just moved the rig
from the field half mile out to the
barnyard, where the next threshing
was to be done. The engine was still
hooked to the separator. The two
Thompsons and Mr.. Cavanaugh had
just left the rig to go into the house
for their breakfast. Mr.. Vik, the
fireman, said he would stay and pump
a little more water into the boiler.
Mr.. Thompson states that the water
gauge showed two inches of water in
the gauge, when he left. The party
had not any more than turned the
corner Of the barn about four rods
from the engine before the explosion
! occurred. Looking about they saw
parts Of the engine flying thru the
air in all directions, some to a great
height. They stepped back near the
barn to protect themselves from
parts flying. They then rushed to
the rig and found Lars Vik lying on
the ground. He had been struck on
the head above the left eye and sus-
tanned a broken arm. He never re-
gained consciousness, but breathed
heavily for half an hour and then
passed away. The engine was liter
ally blown to pieces, leaving only the
trucks or wheels intact. A large
part of the engine was blown a quar-
ter Of a mile. The conclusion of
the explosion broke windows some
distance from the scene Of the acci-
dent. The remains Of Mr.. Vik were
taken across the country to New
London by Mr.. P. G. Thompson in an
automobile. Mr.. John O. Thompson
returned Monday, by the Great
Northern, and when seen at the de-
pot he stated that this was the first
serious accident which had occurred
to their rigs in the experience of
twenty years; but that they now pro-
posed that it shall also be the last,
for they will not do any more thresh-
ing. The particular rig that they
now used was purchased near Red
Wing and brought ont to DeGraff,
where they have been shock thresh-
ing since August 18th.
| Lars jacobson Vik was born at
Ostso,. Hardanger, Norway, Septem-
Der 3rd, 1868, and thus lacked one
day of attaining the age Of 43 years.
He came to America II years ago
FIe married Miss Beata Rierson
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Bj0rn Ri
erson of New London, August 22nd
1905. Besides his wife he leaves
three children-Rhoda aged 5, Lloy6
aged 3 and Clara aged six months
His untimely death is also mournec
by two cousins in Willmar, Mrs. Johr
| Skoolheim and L. A. Vik. The de.
ceased was a resident of Willmar fo1
two years, working in the rouni
house. About two years ago he tool
"a claim in Dakota. The Government
!, however, asserted it's mineral rights
and re-purchased the land. H,
then returned and purchased th'
Peter Thompson place on the shore:
of Lake Andrew where the famil,
now resides. The funeral was hell
from the residence of Bj0rn Rierso1
, at New London Monday afternoon
, Rev. Christian Swenson officiating
! The remains we're inferred in th
Oak Hill cemetery. The bereave'
widow and fatherless children hav
, the deep sympathy of all in thi
1 terrible affliction.