The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-04-14
TWO LIVES WERE SNUFFED

NOHtluuCu II IOIu dSe ouSI
account of the bad roads and for
that reason there was more than
the ordinary amount OF monoxide
gas generated and this gas came
through the floor of the rear COM
partment. There are two small vents
in the floor for heating purposes IN
that part of the truck.
Thil9en Found Self Doing.
Thilgen, recovering from his at
he found himself doing but thought
and il had been busy day for them
all. Several times during the re-
mainder or the trip Thilgen got out
of the car and watched the road
while rnfield drove the car over
particularly bad spots OF road and
to this fact he attributes his escape
from the fate OF his two fellow pas
sengers. Neither of the others step
ped out from the car since 1t left
Belle PLANE.
Thilgen said today that when they
approa ched Mankato ard got into
the city far enough that he could
see the lights, he" called to McCry-
stall and the girl, telling them that
it was time to wake up as they
were arriving home Thilgen was
certain today that McCrystal an
swered, yep" and let it go at that.
Thilsen knew that McCrystal was
tired and had had little sleep the
night before.
When the car stopped at 1903
North Fourth street where the Au-
gustine girls formerly lived, Thilgel
opened the rear door and Enfield
carried several grips into the house
for Marie Augustine who had re
manned in the cab with the driver.
Thilgen showed open the rear dooS
and dangled his feet but before he
could step to the ground he was
deathlv sick. Enfield and Marie
emerged from the house and he
them that he was sick. whereupon
he began to vomit and was helped
10 the ground by the same two. He
stated today that his legs felt weak
and that he was momentarily unable
to stand without help.
Were Laid On Lawn.
After Thilgen was Strengthened
out and able to stand, an effort was
was soon discovered that there was
something wrong, although none Of
the three knew their companions
were dead The two were taken out
of the car and laid on the lawn for
a moment while a doctor was called.
DR.. G. A. Dahl responded as soon
as possible, but when he arrived he
found both McCrystal and Rose Au-
gustine dead. The bodies were taken
to tn. Landkamer undertaking par
lors where a post morteln examina-
ton was made this morning.
At the examination this morning
which was made by Drs. Roy An
drews and c. c. Pratt nothing was
found that would in any way indi-
cate that death did not come from
gas poisoning. There was no trace
Of alcohol in either body and there
is no reason to believe that there
was any drinking All the survi-
vors of the fatal ride deny that
there was anrtHino of the kind and
the examination bears out their
statement.
Explanation of Monoxide Poisoning.
A chemist who asked that his
name be not mentioned, stated to-
day that monoxide poisoning is :
peculiar affection because the gas
when first encountered gives a
pleasing sensation of drowsiness
and causes no disagreeable effects.
The gas does not in any way con-
gest the lungs as do many poison
gases but the poison in this case
breaks up the red corpuscles in the
blood and prevents their carrying
the necessary amount of oxygen.
The chemist who furnished these
facts has not seen or examined the
bodies of the dead but the post
mortem practically substantitates
the statements.
Rose Augustine, one OF the dead,
was born in the state OF Wisconsin
twenty eight years ago but came
TO Springfield with her parents sew
eral months later. The two girls
involved in last nights tragedy
came to Mankato. several years ago
and were employed in local shirt
factory until about two years ago
when they left for Minneapolis. She
is survived by her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph F. Augustine of Spring
field her sister, Marie, who was in
the car last night, Mrs Lyle Gee, a
sister who lives in Russell, Mime
sofa and two brothers, William of
Springfield and gerhard of Wa
basso.
Until all angles of the deaths
have been investigated, no funeral
arrangements will be made.
Lloyd McCrystal, aged twenty
three, was a native of Iowa and
came to Mankato about five years
ago to work for C.. M. Master as a
plumber. He was known as con-
scientious, capable and thrifty
young man and had always given
entire satisfaction TO his employer.
He is survived by his mother in
Minneapolis and by brother,
Floyd McCrystal of Kellyville, Kan.
Was Soon To Be Married
Toll of the funeral knell will re-
place the merry chimes of the wed
ding bells, which were to have runs
out next month for Miss Myrtle
wilkins of this city and Lloyd Nc
Crystal. The grim angel of death
stepped in last night and. spread
his dark wings between the two
young people, who were about to
become life partners and start OUT
on the journey of the way Of the
world, which God ordained good
young people should follow.
These two young people. had been
engaged to be married for some
time past Both had been working
and saving toward the day they
would own their little home. To-
morrow. according to the state
ment of F. E. wilkins. father of
Miss wilkins. Lloyd McCrystal was
to have received bids from a local