Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1916 — CHRIS KALBERER KILLED [ARTICLE]

CHRIS KALBERER KILLED

Former Owner of Rensselaer Cement Tile Factory Dies When Auto Mows l T p. Chris Kalberer, who started the cement tile factory in Rensselaer a few years ago and was quite well known to many people here, died in St. Elizabeth’s hospital at Lafayette Tuesday evening at 8 o’clock from injuries received when the gasoline tank of an auto truck he was driving blew up two hours previous as he was returning to West Lafayette from the country. He was ">9 years old and leaves a wife and one child. Miss Maude Kalberer. Wednesday’s Lafayette Journal gave the following account of the accident: Chris G. Kalberer, one of the best known residents of West. Lafayette and Tippecanoe county, met a ter-

rible death last night when the gasoline tank on a truck which he was driving exploded. His right leg was blown off a few inches above the ankle and his entire body was cooked and lacerated. The accident occurred at the north end of Grant street. Mr. Kalberer had been to the Charles Gwinn home near the county farm and was returning to his home, 321 Vine street, West Lafayette. He had just turned from the county farm road into . Grant street when the explosion occurred. Fragments of the automobile were blown in every direction and tops of the corn stalks ill 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 into a fence, where it stopped. It was evidently running at a rapid rate of speed. Mr. Kalberer was found 15 feet from the blazing car and it is believed be was thrown from the machine by its impact with the fence. Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Hagaman were the first to reach the unfortunate man. He was writhing in agony at the road side and flames were devouring his clothing and inflicting great torture. Mr. Hagaman tore the burning garments from Mr. Kalberer’s prostrate form and beat out the flames. Mr. Hagaman was soon joined by H. P. Ruthrock, who had been attracted by the report of the explosion.and they attempted to relieve the man’s sufferings while medical aid was being summoned. Besides being burned and lacerated over the entire body, Mr. Kai-

berer's right foot was blown off a few inches above the ankle and great streams of blood were flowing from the horrible wound. He suffered excruciating pain. Despite his terrible sufferings,. Mr. Kalberer did not lose consciousI ness and told Mr. Hagaman who he was. He then begged the two men to kill him and end his sufferings. Time after time the dying man asked those about him to do something to hurry his death. The cause of the explosion will perhaps never be known. Two distinct reports were heard by Mr. and Mrs. Hagaman, who were within 200 yards of the scene of the accident. The theory advanced by garage men is that the gasoline tank on the automobile may have sprung a leak. The gasoline dropped to the hot muffler under the car or the fumes ignited from the heat of the engine, either of which would have caused the explosion. The second explosion is believed to have been made by a tire that bursted. The entire front end of the automobile was wrecked. The seat was blown to splinters, and parts of it were found scattered along the roadside for a distance of 200 feet. After the explosion, the car took fire and flames shot into the air several feet. The fire was extinguished by W. N. Hollingsworth, who is employed at the Hagaman farm. He had a barrel of water in a wagon and poured it on the burning car.