New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-11-25
GASOLINE CAUSES EXPLOSION
THAT RESULTS FATALLY TO
YOUNG MAN.
LOUIS PENNINC OF SLEEPY EYE
is VICTIM. HAD RELA-
TIVES HERE.

In an attempt to start his gasoline
engine Thursday afternoon between one
and two o'clock, Louis Penning, young
farmer who lives south of Sleepy Eye
was frightfully burned and died from
the effects of his injuries the following
evening between and o'clock.
On the fatal day young Penning went
to the shed near the we'll and about Is
to 20 PAGES from the house to start the
gasoline engine. The cold weather had
chilled the cylinder to such an extent
sthat the gasoline refused to ignite and in
his various attempts to start the engine
he allowed liberal quantity of gasoline
to accumulate in the pan. After several
unsuccessful attempts he repaired to
the house and got some hot water which
he pured over the cylinder. He then
went to the nearby barn on an Grand.
When he returned he made another
attempt to start the engine. This time
the spark ignited the gasoline and a
terrific explosion followed which shattered
the engine and threw the gasoline all over
the unfortunate man, fairly saturating
his clothing The force of the explosion
tore out the bottom of a gasoline can
which was standing few feet from the
engine and two more gallons of gasoline
were liberated. Mr.. Penning,s clothing
Immediately caught fire and he rushed
from the shed to the barn, calling for
help. Receiving no response he ran
toward the house still calling for aid.
His wife heard him and ran to his
assistance. Selling a pail of milk she
poured the contents over him. This did
, not extinguish the flames and she rushed
to the house for horse blanket which
she wrapped around him. She then
rolled him over on the ground and with
her hands extinguished the flames where
ever they broke out again. In doing
this her hands we're frightfully burned.
After the flames were extinguised Mr..
Penning tried to rise but found that he
couldn't and it was necessary to carry
him into the house. A Sleepy Eye
physician was called and he did every
thing in his power to save the young
mans life but without avail. The
injuries were of such nature that no
hopes could be entertained of his recovery
The burns were so severe that the walls
of the abdomen practically fell away and
the vital organs were exposed to view
and the victim suffered excruciating
pain until Death, relieved him from his
sufferings.
This is one of the saddest accidents
that has happened in Brown County for
years. The young man who lost his
life in such a frightful manner was but
20 years of age, bright, of very cheerful
disposition and very likeable. He was
married about two years ago to Miss
Elsa Vohs who with his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. J. ]. Penning, brother and a
sister mourn his untimely and tragic
death. The accident happened on the
old Penning homestead in the Town of
Home six miles from Sleepy Eye. The
funeral which was largely attended was
held Monday afternoon. Mr.. and Mrs.
Martin Penning, Mrs. F. A. Schnobrich,
Mr.. Peter Penning, Mrs. Paul Lehman
and Mr.. and Mrs. Herman Fixsen from
here and Mr.. and Mrs. William Dehn of
Milford attended the funeral.