Hildebrandt, Dewey c1902 – 1912

HILDEBRANDT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:24

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Feb. 13, 1912, P-FP, C-7

Acetylene Gas Plant Kills Three Children
Kenyon, Minn., Feb. 7.—Three children of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hildebrandt, farmers living seven miles from here, were instantly killed last night when an acetylene gas plant exploded. The house was literally blown to pieces and a fire broke out in the ruins.
The victims were: Elmer and Dewey, aged 17 and 10 respectively, and Lyla, a girl aged 15. The body of one of the boys was found twenty rods away.
Three other children in the family escaped. One. a girl was not injured, but another girl had her arm broken and a little boy was severely burned about the face and upper part of the body. The parents and two babies were at Farmington and the oldest girl was in charge of the household.
Bed clothing was blown into the tops of nearby trees, stoves were broken to pieces, and other household articles scattered over the adjoining yard.
It is thought the cold weather affected the generator of the acetylene lighting system and resulted in the tragedy. It is believed the tanks sprung a leak and that the basement was filled with gas.
Neighbors were quickly summoned by the only child who escaped uninjured, but by the time they arrived upon the scene the farmhouse was a sheet of flames and the bodies were taken out with difficulty.
Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrandt were notified and arrived here early today.