New Ulm review., 1921-12-28
EXPLOSION KILLS THREE
CONTINUED from page ~
Son Held Lantern.


gas valve, while Mrs. Netzke went
around to the west side of the house to
open the cellar window, so as to leave
the gas escape. Just as she returned
to the spot where her son was standing,
the explosion occurred. 1t is believed
that the blast was caused by gas from
the pit coming into contact with the
fame of the lantern, as the wrecked
lantern clearly shows that it was
crushed by an external explosion. Had
the lantern exploded, it would have
caused the kerosene container to bulge
outward, which is not the case in this
instance.
Daughter Summons Help.
Olga, the 15-year-old daughter, dis,
played rare presence Of mind, following
the terrible catastrophe, for she hurried
to the telephone, in spite of the fact
that she was partially stunned by the
blast, and summoned help. A large
number of neighbors and village resi-
dents from Nicollet were soon at hand
and removed Mr. Netzke from the
fatal pit. Medical aid was called,
but nothing could be done to save his
fast-ebbing life. The three corpses
were later taken4to Nicollet and placed:
in the Lutheran church there cunts
Thursday morning, when they were
prepared for burial. The elder daugh;E
ter, Luella, aged Is, fell into the pit
in running from the house after }th1e.
explosion, and sustained minor q IN
juries on the fingers. 1iee pc
House Badly Wrecked.
The house, which was rernodeleo
and greatly improved during. the past
summer, being equipped with all the
modern conveniences of country
home, was badly wrecked by the ex-
plosion. The porch under which the
pit was located, was blown away
entirely, the ground being Uttered witt
the debris. The corner OF the house,
where the kitchen is, is rent asunder
and the entire wall is bulged out. The
windows in the kitchen, dining room
and sitting room were blown out, as
were the window panes in the second
story bedrooms in that part OF the
house. In some cases, even the VIM VIM
dow frames were torn away, and some
of the door panels were blown out,
The dining room floor is bulged up
ward, inside doors were torn from their
hinges, bureau drawers were blown
open, tables and other pieces OF
furniture upset and general destruction
is evident on every hand. The dining
room clock fell to the floor and stopped
running at 20 minutes after five, IN IN
dicating the time of the explosion.
The house itself was moved about two
feet west on it's foundation.
Pictures in Review Window.
By courtesy of j. B. Forster, deputy
state fire marshal, who drove out to the
Netzke home to investigate the cause
of the explosion, we are displaying
the remains Of the lantern, as well as
nine views of the wrecked home IN one
of our show windows. In spite OF the
cold weather, scores OF interested
people have stopped to look at the col
lection and read the explanatory notes
under the photographs.
Obituaries of Deceased.
Henry A. Netzke was born on a
farm in Nicollet township, about two
miles southeast Of Nicollet village
November 18, 1879, and was, therefore,
AZ years, one month and four days Of
age at the time of his tragic death,
His aged parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Carl
Netzke, reside in Nicollet village.
Mrs. Netzke, nee Miss Theresa
Hopp, was born in Nicollet township,
March A.. 1884, being 81 years, 9
months and II days old when death
claimed her, Her father, Albert Hopp,
died several years ago, and her mother,
Mrs. Laura Hoplp, resides at ST.. Peter
Mr.. and Mrs. Netzke were married
at the Lutheran church in Nicollet
village, September 20, 1901. Theil
union was blessed with three children
two daughters, Luella and Olga, ane
one son, Wilbert. The latter was borr
December "a, 1907, and would have
been IA years old, had he lived unit
Saturday Of last week.
The family resided in Nicollet coun
ty, and about 10 years ago removed tx
the farm in Cranky township, which
was the scene Of Wednesdays tragedy
Last summer the home was completely
remodeled and equipped with modern
conveniences. There was nothing t.
mar their happiness and contentmen
until the terrible explosion which killed
the father, mother and only brother
The sympathy Of the entire communit.
goes out to the surviving daughters ant
sisters and other relatives.
Besides his aged parents, Mr.. Netzkt
leaves four brothers and three sister.
to mourn his demise. They are
William Netzke, Humboldt, Kansas
Carl Netzke, Jr., Eamberton; Herman