WATERS, Joseph 1886-1917

WATERS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/12/2013 at 23:59:16

[Waterloo Evening Courier and Reporter, Thursday, July 5, 1917, Waterloo, Iowa]

BURNS ARE FATAL TO BLAST VICTIM

Joseph Waters Covered with Boiling Liquid

Accident at Rendering Plant Follows Attempt to Tighten Bolt

Joseph Waters, 31, 2115 Lafayette street, died at St. Francis hospital yesterday at 9 p.m. the result of burns sustained Tuesday afternoon when a tank at the Cole's Rendering Work, 2808 Lafayette street, filled with boiling grease, exploded. Waters was working underneath the tank when the explosions occurred. He was hurried 20 feet away and his entire body covered with the boiling liquid. The screams attracted the attention of fellow workmen who called a physician. Waters was taken to his home and later to the hospital. He died after having suffered terrible agony. He was conscious until the end.

He is survived by the widow, three small children, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Waters, Springfield, Ill., and two sisters and two brothers. His parents arrived in Waterloo a few hours after their son died.

Waters was working about the tank when he noticed steam escaping from it. He investigated and found that a bolt underneath the tank has become unloosened. Securing a wrench he crawled under the tank. He twisted the bolt too hard and it blew out. The explosion was heard for several blocks and every window in the plant was blown out. When fellow workmen came to his assistance, Waters was a mass of burns. Only his feet escaped.

Waters was born at Bracewood, Ill, Sept. 6, 1886. He came to Waterloo about two years ago. He went to work for the Cole company just one year ago to the day on which the fatal accident occurred.

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[Waterloo Evening Courier, Friday, July 06, 1917, Waterloo, Iowa]

Funeral services for Joseph Waters, who died as the result of an accident Wednesday, will be at the home, 1521 Lafayette Street, at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Rev. Earle A. Baker, pastor of Linden M. E. church, will be in charge. Interment will be in Fairview.