Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1916 — CHRIS KALBERER KILLED IN LAFAYETTE [ARTICLE]

CHRIS KALBERER KILLED IN LAFAYETTE

Man Who Built and Operated Tile Works Here, Killed When Ford Car Blows Up Tuesday. Chris G. Kalberer, well known to a great many Rensselaer people, was killed at Lafayette about 5:30 Tuesday evening when the Ford car which he was driving blew up. Mr. Kalberer owned and operated the tile factory in Rensselaer for several years, and although he never made his home in this city, he made frequent visits to this place to look after his business interests.

The accident occurred at the north end of Grant street. Mr. Kalberer had been to the home of Charles Gwinn, near the county farm and was returning to his home when the gasoline. tank exploded. Mr. Kalberer’s right leg was blown off a few inches above the ankle and his entire body was cooked and lacerated. Fragments of the automobile were blown in every direction and the tops of corn stalks in a nearby field, were cut off by parts of the car. After the explosion the automobile went to the north side of the road and then shot across to the south side and went into a fence whore it stopped. It evidently was running at a rapid rate of speed. Mr. Kalberer was found fifteen feet from the blazing car and it ; s believed that he was thrown from the machine by the impact with the fence..? By Jme aid reached Kalberer he was writhing in agony and his entire body was enveloped in flames. Despite his terrible sufferings Mr. Kalberer never lost consciousness and asked that he be killed. He was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s hospital and everything possible was done to save his life, but he passed away at 8:15.