Erickson, Wendell, 1916-1926

ERICKSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/6/2011 at 19:58:27

GAS EXPLOSION PROVES FATAL
Wendell Erickson Dies From Burns Inflicted
Four Other Members of Oscar F. Erickson Household Severely Burned When Lamp Exploded

The explosion of a gasoline lamp at the Oscar F. Erickson home, about seven miles southwest of Hawarden, at 7 o'clock Sunday evening [Nov. 21], caused the death of Wendell Erickson, and four other members of the family group were severely burned. Mr. Erickson and his eldest son had gone to the Reuben Anderson home on an errand and so were not at home when the explosion occurred.

Mrs. Erickson and three children, Minnie, Wendell and Margaret, and a nephew, Hugo Gustafson, were seated around a table and Mr. Gustafson was in the act of pumping air into the lamp, which was lighted, when an explosion occurred and a hole was blown in the bottom of the gasoline tank, throwing a burning gas over all those seated around the table. Mr. Gustafson had the presence of mind to pick up the lamp and throw it out doors. Wendell became bewildered and frightened and ran outdoors causing the flames to spread more quickly over his body. He was fatally burned and he passed away about five hours following the explosion.

Mrs. Erickson received severe burns on her face, neck, hands and shoulders. Minnie had her entire right arm burned to [the] shoulder and her left arm was burned to the elbow. She was also burned about the face and on one leg. Margaret, aged 3, had her face and hands burned. On Monday she developed a light case of pneumonia but it is thought that she will recover unless other complications set in. Morris, a twin brother of Margaret, was lying on the davenport asleep when the lamp exploded and he escaped injury. Mr. Gustafson had his hands badly burned. He also suffered bad burns on his face and on one side of the abdomen.

A call for help was sent to Hawarden and Dr. A. J. Meyer rushed out and when he reached the scene and found the injured ones needed so much attention he called in Dr. A. Hyden of Alcester to assist him. It was known from the first that Wendell had been fatally burned. Two trained nurses are at the home caring for the injured ones.

Wendell Erickson was born on the farm where he passed away on April 15, 1916, and so was some past ten years of age. Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon and at the Big Springs Baptist church at 2:30, with Rev. B. L. Carlton, the pastor, in charge. Interment will be made in the cemetery adjoining the church grounds.

The community was greatly saddened and shocked when the news of the fatal burning and the suffering of the other members of the family became known. Sincere sympathy is extended to the family in their bereavement which is made doubly hard for those who are suffering so greatly from their burns.

Source: Hawarden Independent, Nov. 25, 1926.