Henry Dreller

DRELLER, GAUGHAN, PASCAL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

3 July 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 1

Henry Dreller, aged 36, who lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dreller, at 538 Nineteenth avenue, was killed shortly after 5 o'clock Monday evening by a "live wire" at the scene of a fire which destroyed several barns and sheds in the alley between Fourteenth and Fifteenth avenues, and Fourth and Fifth streets.

Mr. Dreller was assisting the firemen and neighbors who had gathered to extinguish the blaze when he came into contact with the hanging electric light wire. A heavy charge of electricity entered his body, and he fell unconscious.

The police were hastily called with the lungmoter, and a physician was summoned. Everything possible was done to save the man's life, but all efforts were unavailing. He passed away about fifteen minutes later.

The deceased was born in Clinton and spent his entire life here. He attended the public schools here and of late years had been employed in the Clinton yards of the Northwestern, working nights. He is survived by his wife and two children, Juanita, aged 13 and John, aged 11, also by his parents, one brother, John, of Davenport and three sisters, Mrs. Patrick Gaughan, Mrs. Claude Pascal and Miss Clara Dreller all of Clinton.

The fire, which resulted in Mr. Dreller's death, and the destruction of several barns, and sheds, broke out in a barn on the Maclay place on Fifteenth avenue. Neighbors believe it was started by the two Maclay children, Olive, aged 10, and Edward, aged eight. The children who had been playing in the barn say, however, that they did not start the fire.

The blaze was discovered by Mrs. George Dalton, daughter of Mrs. John Delaney of 427 Fourteenth avenue. Mrs. Dalton turned in a telephone alarm, and called the neighbors to aid in doing what could be done to extinguish the blaze before the arrival of the firemen. She called Mr. Dreller, who chanced to be passing by on his way to work, the latter responding, and aiding in fighting the fire which by that time had gained much headway.

Two barns were burned on the Delaney place, with all their contents, including a year's supply of coal and wood, some stoves, and other effects.

A wood shed was burned at the William Thompson place, 423 Fifteenth avenue, and another shed on the William Kennedy property adjoining was destroyed. A barn on the Conners premises was burned. The Conners place is rented by the Houser and Maclay families.

The Fourth and Central fire companies responded to the alarm, but by the time the firemen arrived the barns and sheds were in flames, and nothing could be done to save them.