The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-08-08
DEADLY GAS KILLS
SAUk CENTRE man
ALPHONSE BREHER, A WILL
DRILLER, KILLED IN FAR
AWAY CANADA.
BROUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL
AT COMPLETION OF JOB HE WAS
COMING HOME TO
ENLIST.

~
The sudden and untimely death of
Alphonse Breher at Conquest, Sask.,
on Wednesday, July 81, was news that
shocked the entire city. The cause of
the death was due to asphyxiation.
-Mr. Breher and his brother, Aloysius
who were in the well-drilling business
in Canada were drilling on farm
near Conquest, assisted by the owner
of the farm, Arthur E. Mann. On
Tuesday evening, having drilled
something over 80 feet, they struck
sand which poured in faster than it
could be taken out. Finally the men
decided to build a curb to hold back.
the sand. Part of the work was ac-
comp1ished that evening. The follow
ing morning, Mr.. Breher and Mr..
Mann got into the bucket used for
lowering and were Let down into the
well, Aloysius attending to the wind
lass. AS the men struck bottom,
Aloysius was told by his brother to
pull them up. AS there was no other
sound, he mistrusted something and
galloped the horse. The horse got to
the distance of about 35 feet and was
unable to go any further. Looking
down into the well he found that his
brother, unconscious had fallen over
and was caught between the bucket
and the wall of the well. The other
man was not to be seen. Help was
summoned at once and a returned
soldier, Private Rogers, volunteered to
rescue the men. He was let down by
rope and well strapped to it. After
going down about IS feet, Rogers, was
overcome by gas and was pulled up, it
taking several minutes to revive him.
He insisted upon going again. how
ever, but was not allowed to until a
thorough attempt to stir the gas was
made. This was done by lowering a
hose and pumping air through by
means of a blacksmith bellows. After
two hours time, Rogers went down
again with the hose attached to his
mouth and nose, while air was pumped
into it continually. The men above
questioned him frequently thus as
surfing themselves of his safety by his
answers. He was lowered as far as
the bucket and loosened Mr.. Breher,
by jumping into it and forcing it
down. He signaled to be brought up
and was raised with the body. Going
down again to the bottom of the well
to rescue Mr.. Mann, he took his face
away from the hose for second and
was at once overcome. Not getting an
answer to their calls, he was pulled
u pat once and was revived although
it required some time. 1t was decided
to practically impossible to go down
again, although gas mask, such as
is used in war fare was secured.
Graphing hooks were brought and it
was by this method that Mr.. Mann
was brought TO the surface. The time
taken for the rescue was from nine
o'clock in the morning until half past
three in the afternoon. 1t is con-
jectured that Mr.. Mann was overcome
at once, having stepped from the
bucket to the ground where the gas
heaviest. Noticing the trouble, Mr..
Breher, had just time to give warn
ing when he was overcome. No doubt
both died almost Immediately.
Mr.. Breher had been in the business
for several years and had never be-
fore encountered trouble of this kind.
This was the last well he was intend
ing to dig, planning to come back to
the United States this week and en-
list in the army.
The body arrived in Sank Centre
Saturday and the remains were taken
at once to the home Of his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. E. Breher. The funeral
took place Monday morning from Our
Lady of the Angels Church, the Rev.
FIR. Fearon officiating. The pallbear-
ers were Messrs. Frank Schwartz,
VIM. Wruck, Oscar Konne, A. E. Du-
Beau, Thos. Kinsella and Frank
Myott. 4
Those from out of town who attend
cd the funeral were Mr.. and Mrs.
HENRY Eickmann and Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Eickmann Of Glencoe, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Breher, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Breher and Misses Julia and Marie
Breher Of Wadena.
Alphonse Breher was born, June IL,
1893, at Arlington, Mimi, the second
son of Mr.. and Mrs. e. Breher. In
1906 his parents moved to Sank Cen
ire from Rochester where he lived IN
til his schooling was finished. He IS
survived by his parents, his sister,
Mrs Sigurd Holme and his brother,
Aaron Of the U. S. army in France and