BEHRENS, Henry Jr. -1893

BEHRENS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/8/2011 at 20:44:32

Sad Accident

An Old Man and His Son Overcome by Foul Air in a Well

Yesterday Henry Behrens, Sr., and his son, were overcome by foul air in a well and before aid could reach them they were both dead. They lived on a farm near Fredsville, Grundy Co., about 9 miles southwest of Cedar Falls. On the farm was a well 50 feet deep, which had become dry and Mr. Behrens attempted to break up a boulder that was in the bottom of it by using dynamite. He was working around the well alone and had lowered a dynamite cartridge but it failed to explode. he then went down into the well to see what was the trouble, and when he got there he was overcome with foul air in the bottom of the well and became senseless. His wife discovered his condition and at once went to the field where their son, Henry Behrens, Jr., was at work, and gave the alarm. He hurried to the spot and without investigating matters, was let down into the well with a rope by his brothers. When he got down a short distance the foul air also overcame him and he became unconscious. Mrs. Behrens then called the neighbors and they set about to recover the bodies. They were got out of the well about 2 p.m., but both were dead when brought to the surface. They were industrious and highly respected farmers and the sad accident is greatly regretted by all who know them. Mr. Behrens, Sr., was 50 years of age and his son was 20 years old.

--Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 22 September 1893