LINDSAY, Barbara Jane (1932-1940)

LINDSAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/2/2020 at 16:48:24

Barbara Jane Lindsay
(March 3, 1932 – July 31, 1940)

Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, Iowa, Thurs., Aug 8, 1940, p.1, col.3
Final Rites For Blast Victim; Funeral Services For Jane Lindsay, 8, Held Friday At Arthur; Burial Here
Funeral services for Jane Lindsay, 8 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Lindsay, who was killed in the home explosion last Wednesday were held Friday afternoon at Arthur. Barbara Jane, daughter of Arthur and Beatrice Lindsay was born March 3, 1932 at Arthur, Iowa. She was baptized and a member of the Arthur Methodist Sunday School. She was to be in third grade in school this fall. God made a life a little light within the world to glow, a little flame that burned bright, wherever she would go. God made a life a little staff whereon the weak might rest, that so what health and strength she had might serve her neighbors best.
Jane leaves her parents, brother Robert, and sister, Marjorie, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Erickson of Mapleton, many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. Funeral services were held Friday, August 2, in the Arthur Methodist church, Rev. Horace Graubner officiated. She was laid to rest under the direction of Moore Bros. [funeral home] in Ida Grove cemetery. Pall bearers were Ed England, Ward Taylor, Glenn Nelson and John Schramm.
Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, IA, Thurs., Aug 1, 1940, p.1, col.4-6
One Killed, Four Injured in Home Explosion at Arthur Wednesday Noon
Striking without warning, a terrific home explosion Wednesday noon rocked the Arthur vicinity, taking the life of one person and injuring four others. Jane Lindsay, 8, was killed instantly. A. E. Lindsay, Mrs. Lindsay, Marjorie Lindsay, 10, and Pearl Schramm, hired girl, were injured in the mysterious explosion. Mrs. Lindsay was the most seriously injured of the survivors, and was rushed to the Ida Grove hospital. Extent of injuries of victims: Mrs. Lindsay – second degree burns, shock and cuts; Mrs. Lindsay – shock and minor burns; Marjorie – minor burns; Pearl Schramm – minor burns, shock and superficial cuts.
Escape Explosion
Bobbie Lindsay, brother of explosion victims, luckily was not in the house when the explosion occurred. He was visiting at Kiron, neighbors said. The explosion happened at noon. The home was located one block east of the school house. It was a large two-story structure and the entire home was completely destroyed showing the force of the explosion.
Ripped to Bits
The east side of the house was ripped to pieces as though struck by a hurricane. Boards, furniture and furnishings were scattered many feet from the house. According to Pearl Schramm, who was questioned by a Pioneer Record reporter a short time after the tragedy, she was in the pantry when the explosion occurred. It happened so suddenly I can’t say just what really did happen, said Pearl. I was in the pantry with Marjorie and the next thing I remember is getting pulled out of the wreckage by Mr. Lindsay. The injured were taken to the Andy Gilbertson home for attention until the arrival of the physicians.
First To Arrive
W. A. Arbegast, neighbor, was one of the first to arrive at the scene, “I helped take them out of the wreckage. The explosion was terrific,” said Arbegast. Another early arrival at the scene was John Heafner. He also helped in rescuing the victims. The Lindsay girl, according to neighbors, was killed instantly. Charles E. Anderson, another neighbor who lives close by, said that the explosion happened near noon as he saw Mr. Lindsay going home to dinner.
Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, IA., Thurs., Aug 15, 1940, p.1, col.4
Blame Gas Fumes For Death Explosion In Arthur On July 31
Gas fumes escaping from a storage tank into the basement of the A. E. Lindsay home at Arthur were blamed for the explosion on Wednesday, July 31, which rocked the entire community, taking one life and injuring four others. This decision was reached by State Deputy Fire Marshall, A. Libberden, Des Moines, and Sheriff, L. W. Kuhl, following a two-day investigation.
Dig Up Tank
The old storage tank which was used as a gasoline container to furnish fuel for the lighting system operated in the home many years ago, was dug up Tuesday under the supervision of the investigators. The tank, located about 20 feet west of the home, was undisturbed by the explosion. The tank was stationed below the first floor level of the basement and two pipes were not plugged in the basement.
Gas Fumes
The investigators speculated that gas fumes were forced into the home and basement by seeping water which drained from the basement into the tank. The water forced the fumes into circulation and the explosion occurred when Mrs. Lindsay sparked a match to light the kerosene stove. Sheriff Kuhl also stated that the tank contained three separate compartments and was wood lined. The tank was taken to the city dump after the completion of the investigation.