Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1916 — Automobile Caught Fire While Gasoline Tank Was Being Filled. [ARTICLE]

Automobile Caught Fire While Gasoline Tank Was Being Filled.

Wednesday afternoon when Nate Welsh of Jordan tp., went to crank up his father’s Ford automobile to come to town to get the latter and his son Merve, who had been up in Walker tp. attending a public sale and calling on Robert Michael and family, the car caught fire ahd was damaged from SIOO to $l5O before the flames were extinguished. The top was burned off, the upholstering ruined and the paint badly blistered. The fire was started by the engine back-firing. The shed where the car was kept was also badly damaged. Later reports state that Nate was filling the gasoline tank, having a lantern to work by, and the gasoline caught fire from the lantern. Tie was straining the fluid"* through a chamois skin when the skin caught fire, but fortunately the flames did not communicate to the tank itself, or it is probable the young man would have been burned to death. At is was he escaped with slightlyburned clothing. The car can be repaired. it is said, for from SSO to $75.