Geo. Baugher 1875-

BAUGHER, BUSHELL, BUSHEL, ROWE, ROWEN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/18/2001 at 09:44:36

HE WAS INSTANTLY KILLED
Awful Death Comes to Geo. Baugher at Stockport--Gas Tank
Explodes--Funeral Yesterday at Anson, Mo.

The news that Geo. Baugher had been instantly killed at Stockport was received here at 8 o'clock, Sunday evening, and created a feeling of horror so unexpected and startling was the intelligence. The particulars were meager in the extreme and [it] was not until Monday that a [clear] recital of the terrible mishap was to be had.

The following is the correct version of the affair as learn by our Mr. Sherman, who was on the scene early Monday.

Mr. Baugher attended to the opera house and among his other duties, he had the care of the acetylene tank and lights and this had become frozen during the cold weather of the proceding [sic] week. All day Sunday Geo. had been endeavoring to thaw the tank, which is located in a room built for its accommodation at the rear of the hall, and had succeeded in placing it in good order after supper.

As he attempted to raise the heavy lid which confines the gas the contents instantly exploded from a lamp which was near forcing the lit upward and crushing Geo. with the force of blow. The lid was raised to the ceiling, but as far as known did not fall on the stricken man. The upper half of the body was fearfully mangled, the head being crashed into an unrecognizable mass, the breast crushed, while the jaw was broken in two places and the neck dislocated.

George Rowe stated that he was present when the explosion occurred. Mr. Baugher had entered the room with a light and was cautioned by Rowe to be careful; but Geo. answered that there was no gas in the tank. Rowe _____________without the door and states that _____ lifted the lid of the tank just as exp[losion] came. The flames burned Mr. Rowe ___________ the face and singed his hand _______ was not marked by the flames. [Parts missing from this paragraph]

Mr. Rowe as soon as he had recovered [from the] shock, called to Geo. but received no response and it is thought that death was instantanious [sic].

Help was at once summoned and the mangled form was removed to the home and the heart rendering news was bourn [sic] to the wife and words sent to relatives in this city and the aged parents at Acasto.

Geo. Baugher was well and favorably known to our people, having at various times made Bonaparte his home and it was here that he was married to Miss Sadie Bushell, to which union a boy was born, now aged some three years.

Geo. was a fine specimen of manhood, strong, of good disposition and a friend to everyone. He left here for Stockport some two years ago, but has often returned for a short stay in was always a welcome visitor.

The funeral was held yesterday at 9 a.m. from the house and the body was taken to the home of his childhood, Anson, for interment.
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Stockport News.

George W. Baugher was born at Anson, Missouri, July 8, 1875 and spent his boyhood days there on the farm. He was baptized in the Baptist church in Farmington, May 30, 1896, a and was married to Sadie Bushel June 13, 1897. They moved to the home of George's parents and lived there about one year. Little Earl their only child came to gladden their home November 25, 1900. In 1901 they moved to Stockport where George went into the harness business. He was a skillful workman and had a large patronage. He formed a partnership with Joe Douglas and later sold out to Mr. Douglas and was chief workman in the shop, and lately upon the sale of shop stock to Leaverton and Knowles became their salesman and workman. He lived the truth of that text in Prov. 18, 24: "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly." We will miss him but the dear wife and baby, father and mother and three brothers will miss him more.

He was a member of the Odd Fellow and K. of P. lodges in Stockport and they have lost a good and beloved brother.

About one year ago he took up the work of caring for the hall and as it was light work he could be easily had aside from other work hours, was taken up cheerfully all for his home and happiness.

The funeral services were held at the M. E. church Tuesday morning Rev. Tennent preaching from James 4, 14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be gone the morrow." The members of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. lodges, of which he was a member, formed a line and March together to the church with funeral procession. After the services the remains followed by the sorrowing ones were taken overland to Anson, where they were laid to rest on Wednesday.

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George Baugher of Stockport Suddenly Meets Death.

By the sudden escape of gas in an accetylene plant in the opera house, the water in which had become frozen, George Baugher met instant death Sunday night, when he attempted to adjust the apparatus, using a lighted lamp for the purpose. George Rowen who had gone to assist him was badly but not seriously burned in the face.

The accetylene gas plant is in the rear of the room and upon a platform over the dressing room the water used in generating the gas from the carbide had been allowed to freeze in the tank. The janitor, Mr. Baugher, was thawing it out and had gone into the little room with a lighted lamp and placing upon it upon a nail, had taken hold of the gas drum to remove it, thinking of course, that it contained only water or ice, when it was moved enough for the gas to escape, the explosion came. The gas in the tank ignited forced the large drum up against the walls and ceiling, crushing Mr. Baugher's jaws and chest and dislocating his neck, causing instant death. George Rowen and had gone to assist him and was standing just outside the little room. He was badly burned in the face, but not serious. He called for help at once. Drs. Graber, and Morris & Morris were there but he was beyond all human aid. The funeral was held at the residence at 9 a.m. Tuesday, also a service at his old home in Anson, Mo., at 2 o'clock Wednesday, where the interment took place. Mr. Baugher was born in Anson, Mo., July 8, 1875, was married to Sadie Bushel of Bonaparte in 1897. They have lived in Stockport the past three years, George being in the harness business. He leaves a wife and one child, a little boy three years old.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. L. Tennent of Hillsboro. The remains were escorted by almost 100 brothers of the K. of P's and I. O. O. F's. A very large crowd of sympathizing friends attended the funeral at both Stockport and Anson.

When the sad news of the accident was received at the father's home at Anson, the shock was so sudden that his father, Mr. Geo. W. Baugher Sr., was completely overcome, and it was many hours before he could be revived.
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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.