Gilbert O. Erickson 1895-1943

ERICKSON, THIETJE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/26/2011 at 00:30:00

Bad Fire at Estherville
The Clyde Brown Tire Shop in Estherville was destroyed by fire this morning when the stove in the building exploded burning Gilbert Erickson, a workman seriously, and also burning Rev. Forsell, Baptist minister, who was an employee. Mr. Erickson was taken to the hospital and very little hopes were given for his recovery. The B.B. Boe farm implement store and Sieg auto parts were damaged by smoke. (Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, IA, November, 18, 1943)

G.O. Erickson Severely Burned in Explosion Today
Little Hope for His Recovery
G.O. Erickson, age about –, of Estherville, was severely burned at nine o’clock this morning when a recapping outfit exploded. The scene of the accident was the Brown tire shop. Mr. Brown was absent and Mr. Erickson was operating the machine. He is very badly burned and at noon today he was conscious but there was little hope for his recovery. The interior of the building was destroyed and only the shell of the structure remains. An adjoining implement shop was also damaged by fire. The Erickson family resided here for a number of years before locating at Estherville. A daughter was employed in the Jensen drug store, Graettinger. A son, Ellwood, is with the army overseas. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, November 18, 1943)

Fire Victim was Former Resident of Graettinger
Special to The Democrat
Graettinger, Nov. 25 – A number of Graettinger friends attended the funeral services for G.O. Erickson, Estherville, who died of burns last week. The Ericksons were Graettinger residents for several years, residing two years just east of town on the L. Egesos farm and one year west of town before moving into town.

Mr. Erickson is survived by Mrs. Erickson, one son, Pfc. Elwood Erickson of the U.S. Army serving overseas in the South Pacific area, and a daughter, Mrs. Rober Thietje who lives in Oregon while her husband serves with the U.S. Coast Guard. Neither son nor daughter could be present at the funeral services. (Democrat, Emmetsburg, IA, November 25, 1943)

Funeral of G.O. Erickson, 49, Held Monday
Survived by Widow, Son and Daughter
(Estherville Daily News)
Gilbert O. Erickson, 49, was burned fatally at 9 a.m. Thursday in a fire which destroyed the Brown tire and recapping shop at 108 S. 6th St. He died at 2 that afternoon from third-degree burns that covered his entire body.

He is survived by his widow and two children, Mrs. Robert Thieje, of Oregon, and Pfc. Ellwood Erickson, who is with the U.S. army in the South Pacific.

An explosion occurred when Erickson lit the burner of a recapping machine in the shop where he was employed. The burner failed to generate properly and when he began to adjust the burner, a gasoline pressure tank exploded. The fire had gained considerable headway when firemen arrived.

The Rev. G.E. Forssell, also employed part time at the shop, suffered serious burns to his hands, face, hair and eyebrows when he pulled Erickson from the fire to the front sidewalk. He was taken to the Park View clinic for treatment by the Rev. L.A. Mathre.

Later a Park View nurse took the minister to the Coleman hospital where Erickson had been calling for him repeatedly. Although already hospitalized for his burns and shock he asked to be removed so that he could be a comfort to Erickson.

J.L. Voss, of Mason City, millwork salesman, assisted in extinguishing the flames in Erickson’s clothing after rushing down the street after leaving a restaurant. He threw his overcoat over the burning man to smother flames and then rolled him clear of the fire and smoke. The overcoat was badly burned.

The Reverend Mathre, who assisted the Rev. Forssell to the Clinic, had just driven by the building when it burst into flames.

Just after Erickson was pulled from the building, a second explosion occurred which blew a hole in the roof of the building. The first blast broke the front window of the shop.

Some of the front of the building was saved but the neighborhood was dense with smoke that smelled of burning rubber.

The building on the north, occupied by the Sieg company and the Bert Boe farm implement building to the south were damaged somewhat. H.H. Tosdal owns the property.

Clyde Brown, owner of the shop, is in Oklahoma, where he and Mrs. Brown, and their daughter, Betty, are visiting with their son, Jack Brown. No estimate on property damage had been made this afternoon.

A money sack which had been lying on the desk of the tire shop was retrieved and office records were saved, but it was believed that equipment was damaged beyond repair.

As the blaze was brought under control by the fire company, large truck, tractor and also auto tires were pulled from the building with long poles. Most of the tires were not burned, but were soaked with water and many were smoking. Sheets of metal, wheel rims and batteries were carried or thrown from the building.

Several firemen were affected by smoke and one was nearly overcome but soon returned to assist with fire fighting. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, November 25, 1943)

Note: year of birth per cemetery records is 1894; per WWI Draft Registration it is 1895.