Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1915 — GAS IX WELL LETS GO; ONE DYING; 16 INJURED. [ARTICLE]

GAS IX WELL LETS GO; ONE DYING; 16 INJURED.

Explosion as Workman Lights Ripe After Drilling for Water Js Completed Wrecks Humping Station. \ alparaiso, April 3.—One man is believed to be dying, four persons are seriously burned and a dozen others are suffering, from minor burns as a result of an explosion ot gas in the new water works pumping station at Hebron, Porter coun--iy, this morning. A well 1,000 feet deep had just been completed and gas collected in it was ignited when .• workman struck a match to light his pipe. Elmer Alyea was the -most seriously injured of the persons, he was hurled hack from the mouth of the well when the explosion took place. No hope is entertained for his recovery. Ross Witters, Gene Adams, Harry Lawrence arid Lee .Morrow also suffered serious injuries, but all probably will recover. After the xvell had been drilled a crowd of persons from the town gathered at the pumping station to watch the completion of the work. .Several of them were close to the xvell when the explosion occurred, among them being Alyea, who is a cripple. The explosion wrecked the pumping station, and the loss on :lie building and equipment is estimated at SB,'OOP.