The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-03-25
Angelo Biscardi, Kenosha Wearer of the Croix
de Guerre and Twice Cited for Bravery, Is
Found Dead from Gas in Chicago.
GAS ESCAPES FROM A HOT PLATE
Boiling Coffee Extnguishes Gas Burner and Hero of
Dozen Battles Asphyxiated- Study
ing in Vocational School.

After leading a charmed life on a
dozep battlefelds in France and Italy,
Angelo Biscardi, of 679 Anton street,
the Kenesha Italian who won the
Croix de Guerre and two citations for
bravery in service overseas, was found
dead in gas-flled room in his apart
ment at 573 Farquer street, Chicago,
Monday morning. His brother, Eman-
uel Biscardi, of Kenosha, received
word Tuesday of the accident and
brought back to Kenosha today the
story of the sudden death of the war
hero.
The body of the hero was found
just after seven o'clock Monday morn
ing when gas fumes attracted other
occupants of the house to the room.
1t was lying across the bed as if the
former soldier had lain down to rest.
Biscardi was partially undressed and
scratches on his body showed that he
in his unconscious state had struggled
against the effects of the gas fumes.
Physicians declared that Biscardi had
been dead for several hours before
the body was discovered
Boiling Coffee Is Cause.
An investigation of the case showed
immediately the explanation Of the
tragedy Biscardi, upon retiring to his
room early Sunday evening, had start
ed to make some coffee to drink before
going to bed. He had mixed up the
coffee and placed it on gas hot-plate
in his room. Then he had taken off
some of his clothes and laid down on
the bed to rest until the coffee boiled.
1t seems certain that he fell asleep
and that the coffee, boiling over, ex-
tinguished the gas, and made it pos
sible for the room to be filled with
the fumes.
The room was so filled with gas that
the fumes had spread over large part
of the house when they were discover
ed by one of the occupants. Biscardi's
body was badly discolored as result
Of the long asphyxiation.
Was Studying in Chicago.
Angelo Biscardi was 80 years of age.
After returning for the second time
from the wars, several months ago,
he accepted the offer of the American
government to take vocational train
ing and for the last few months had
been in Chicago attending a BARRIERS
school. He had been badly injured in
the service and on the very morning
that he was found dead, he was ex-
pected to be at the government hos
pital for treatment on his fight leg,
where silver plate had been put in
to take the place of the flesh and bone
blown away by a German she'll.
He had been in the best of spirits
and on recent visits to Kenosha had
made plans for returning to this city.
Buried with Military HonOrs.
In Chicago, this morning, the BODY
of the war hero was buried with mill
tary honors, paid both by members of
the American Legion and the Italian
Veterans organization of that city. A
large number of the friends and rela-
tives of the dead hero were in Chica-
go to hear the last taps sounded over
the remains of the soldier there. He
is survived in Kenosha by his brother
Emanuel Biscardi, and by several
nieces. In Italy he has an aged mother
and several other relatives to lament
his death.
Hero of a Dozen Battles.
Angelo Biscardi was one of the most
famous men that served the Allied
cause overseas. This hero, who died
victim to few gas fumes, had scores
of times narrowly escaped death al
the hands of the Germans and Aus
TRANS and had carelessly risked his
life in brave and valiant service over
seas.
The soldier was a native of the town
of Cosenze in southern Italy, but al
on early age came to America. He
bad lived in Kenosha sixteen years
when Italy cast her lot with the Allies
Biscardi heard the call and hurried
overseas to join an Italian regiment
He fought in the Tyrolese front until
May 8, when he was wounded and sent
10 the rear. The events of the day wor
aim the Croix de Guerre.
Killed Four Austrians.
When fighting his way up wooded
hill on that day, Biscardi was attack
ed by five Austrians. He was armed
with a rifle and hand grenade anC
IN hand-to-hand fight killed four o.
the Austrians. He and the remaining
Austrian began a fierce bayonet fight
The Austrian threw hand grenade al
3iscardi which exploded at his feet
The fragments punctured his body anc
one piece struck over his right eye
Nearly blinded, Biscardi lunged at hi.