Herbert Meril Michaelson (1905-1909)

MICHAELSON

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/24/2010 at 16:36:51

Roland Record
12 August 1909

Herbert Michaelson Dies From Terrible Burns

Mere Babies Secure Matches and Set Fire to Barn and One Little Child Receives Burns that End Fatally, the Other Child Is Unharmed

Last Saturday afternoon at about 2:15 o'clock, Herbert, a little three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Michaelson, and Gertrude, a little five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hagen, went to a barn owned by Miss Bertha Brekke and proceeded to build a bonfire in the hay, having previously secured matches in some unknown manner. As near as could be found out from the children, Herbert had climbed into the manger and had started the fire, while the little girl was in one of the stalls. Seeing the flames the little girl rushed to another door, but failing to see her little chum, she rushed to the Twedt Hardware store and called for help. Meanwhile Herbert's feet and hands became scorched and he jumped from the manger and ran for the door, but he hardly reached the door when he fell and was unable to get up again. By this time the flames were filling all parts of the barn, so it was almost a miracle that the little boy ever came as far as he did.

By this time people had noticed the fire and Erwin Dale rushed to the barn and grabbed the boy and succeeded in getting him from the burning building and others grabbed the child and brought it up to Dr. Rice's office, where his burns were dressed. Both arms were terribly burned as were both legs, and his face was scorched a little, but not very much. It was at first thought that the burns were not more serious than that the boy might recover, but on Sunday morning he grew worse and on Monday forenoon he passed away.

The barn was situated directly back of the Twedt hardware store across the ally, and only twenty feet from the barn a small wooden shed was situated that contained a large tank filled with gasoline, so the for a time it was considered dangerous to be around, but good fortune had the breeze blowing from the southeast, so that the flames were blown away from the tank. The barn contained nearly three ton of hay, about fifteen bushels of corn and a heavy work harness valued at about $30.00, all owned by John Hagen. He carried no insurance, that it was a total loss to him.

The fire hose was put in operation, but all efforts to save the building were futile, so their efforts were directed at saving Nels Osmundson's residence and barn, and other small buildings in the neighborhood.

Herbert Meril Michaelson was born August 9, 1909 [should be December 8, 1905], and was 3 years, 8 months and 1 day old, when called to his Eternal Home. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Michaelson, he leaves two sisters, Sylvia and Ione, and four brothers, Jeffrey, Milton, John and Boyd, and numerous other relatives to mourn his untimely and sad death. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon from Trinity church, Rev. H. J. Holman conducting the services. A very large number of people were present to pay their respects to the sorrowing family. The casket was covered with many beautiful floral offerings, and the church was prettily decorated. The remains were laid to rest in the Roland cemetery. The parents and sorrowing brothers and sisters and relatives have the sincere sympathy of numerous friends in their hour of deep sorrow.