WESTENDORF, Alfred and Herbert died 1911

WESTENDORF

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/27/2013 at 21:01:16

Postville Review, Postville, Iowa, Fri., 7 Apr. 1911. Taken from the Elma New Era, undated.

AN AWFUL ACCIDENT.

Explosion and fire in the Geo. Westendorf home northeast of Alta Vista last Saturday morning resulted in the death of two little boys, Alfred aged 5, and Herbert aged 6. Mr. and Mrs. Westendorf and the hired man had gone to the barn about 6:30 to milk the cows and do other chores.

Shortly thereafter they heard a large explosion at the house and noticed large volumes of smoke issuing therefrom. Hurrrying to the house they found the chamber in ruins from the effect of a terrible explosion and the two little boys frightfully injured and writhing in pain. They were burned about the heads and arms, their eyes destroyed and they were otherwise injured. The cause of the explosion was at first a mystery, but later it was discovered to have been due to a 5-lb. can of powder which the hired man, Henry Bowers, kept in his room upstairs.

When the parents went to the barn that morning Alfred and Herbert were up and playing around the house. Walter, aged 9, was still in bed downstairs and did not awaken until after the explosion. The little fellows must have gone to the chamber and found the powder and set some afire with the result that the entire contents exploded. Medical aid was summoned at once but little could be done.

Alfred died about noon, Herbert lived until Sunday evening. Their suffering was intense and must have been a severe trial to the parents. Herbert begged for "mama and papa" to "open my eyes so I can see." He little realized that he never again could see their faces in life.- Elma New Era.
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