INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM THE USE OF GASOLINE, IN MICHIGAN IN 1889.

At the office of the State Board of Health an effort is made to collect the facts respecting every alleged casualty attributed to the use of gasoline in Michigan. It will be seen, by the following reports received at this office, that there were reported during the year ending December 31, 1889, nine casualties from the use of gasoline in Michigan, in which ten persons were reported to have been burned, one woman being fatally, and two more probably fatally burned. Such details as could be obtained in regard to each casualty are here given.

Fatal Burning of a Woman in Durand, Shiawassee County.

The Detroit Evening News of May 21, 1889, gave the following account of the fatal burning of a woman by gasoline, in the village of Durand:

"A signal act of bravery was that of Len Acker, in the fire in the Commercial House at Durand last Friday, when the gasoline in the kitchen took fire and enveloped the room in flames. Acker and three others, two of them women, were in the apartment. Both men escaped unharmed, but Acker returned for the women, and having rescued one, came back for Mrs. Copeland, the other, who had fallen under the table. The room was full of fire, but he pulled his coat over his head and crawled about searching for her until his hand was so badly burned that the flesh fell off in places. It is doubtful if he ever has full use of the member again."

A letter was sent from this office May 24, to Dr. A. G. Cowles, health officer of Durand, from which the following extract is taken:

"I should be glad to hear more concerning the fire and the cause. Will you please write me such facts as you can in regard to it."

The following reply was received from Dr. A. G. Cowles:

Yours of 24th received, and in reply would say concerning the fire from gasoline. A. M. Acker, dealer in hardware, put a gasoline stove in the kitchen for trial. It was used in the forenoon, and about 2 P. M. he was sent for to come and fill the gasoline stove, there had been a wood fire in the kitchen stove to use in getting dinner, and the gasoline stove, stood close to the side of the wood stove, so that when the rod holding the tank of gasoline was turned over for the purpose of filling, it brought the tank close to the hearth of the wood stove and it is supposed the gas caught from the fire in the wood stove, as there was no explosion other than the igniting of the gas and filling the room with fire.

"The dealer escaped unharmed, the two women could not get out on account of the stifling effect of the burning gas. Mr. Acker immediately returned and assisted one in getting out, and returned for the other, about the time help came with water and threw three pails of water in the room, and happened to throw it upon the woman who was lying upon the floor unconscious. Mr. Acker failed to find her, and continued the search until his left hand was severely burned and he was driven out by the heat. The men who threw the water pushed in and rescued the woman, who, upon being brought to fresh air revived, had her reason and talked until midnight when she died. The burns on the surface were not severe enough to cause death so soon (her hands being the worst), but inhaling the hot poisonous air prevented the lungs from acting after reaction. The two men who saved the lady (Mrs. Copeland) were Mr. Morehouse, and Mr. Simpson. There was no damage to the building other than the room (the kitchen). I treated Mrs. Copeland, and was with her when she died, and have dressed Mr. Acker's hand since that time. In all it was the saddest accident that ever happened in Durand."

Hands and Face Burned by Gasoline in Detroit.

The following was clipped from the Detroit Journal, May 11, 1889:

"A gasoline stove exploded at 367 Baker street yesterday afternoon and set fire to the house. Mrs. L. Baby, the occupant of the house, was badly burned about the hands and face in putting out the fire, but no damage was done to the dwelling."

No further report was obtained.

Severe Burning by Gasoline at Grand Rapids.

The Detroit Tribune, July 5, 1889, contained the following:

"Mrs. Johnson A. Dunham, was seriously burned today by an explosion of gasoline. She attempted to fill her stove with the jet burning, and her face, arms and breast were covered with the flaming fluid, and most of her hair burned off."

No official report was obtained.

Gasoline Explosion at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County.

The Detroit Tribune, of June 21, 1889 contained the following:

"Ypsilanti, June 20. Mrs. Harry Guild, was working about a leaky gasoline stove today when the inflammable liquid caught fire, which soon communicated to her clothing. She ran to a neighbor's, and the prompt application of a blanket smothered the flames. She was considerably burned about the arms and shoulders. A little girl's clothing also caught fire, but her body was not burned."

A Girl Shockingly burned by Gasoline at Miner's Theater, Detroit.

The Detroit Evening News, of October 14, 1889, gave the following:

"The agonizing screams of a woman resounded throughout Miner's theater, at an early hour this morning. Bolliver, the colored footman, who was sitting in front of the house, ran quickly back and a horrible scene presented itself. Ida Scherrer, a young girl, was standing in the middle of the back corridor. She was enveloped in flames, and was wildly swinging her arms about her head. Save me! Save me! she implored, at the same time falling to the floor and rolling over and over in a vain attempt to extinguish the fire. Her dress was nearly burned off, and her hair was singeing. Bolliver stripped his coat off and wrapped it about her, smothering the flames. Her suffering was terrible. She moaned and begged those about to save her from further agony. A coupe was called and she was taken to her home, 194 Chestnut street. She resides at that number with her parents. Dr. Edgar B. Smith was called. He made an examination and found that her hands and arms were frightfully burned, as were also her legs. Her condition is considered by the physician as dangerous. She is only 19 years old and during the present season has been employed about the theater. Shortly before 7 o'clock this morning she went to a closet to draw some water. The place was dark and she lit the gasoline stove. It blazed up and the reservoir ignited. She became frightened and attempted to put out the names with her hands. Her clothing caught fire, and in her excitement she ran into the hallway.

An alarm was turned in, but before the department responded the fire was out. The woodwork in the closet was badly scorched."

A Girl Terribly Burned by Gasoline at Sturgis, St. Joseph County.

From the Detroit Tribune, August 13, 1889:

"Mabel Harris, aged 16, was terribly burned while filling a gasoline stove at Sturgis yesterday. She may live."

No official report was received.

Supposed Fatal Burning by Gasoline at East Saginaw.

From the Detroit Evening News, Oct. 10, 1889:

"Mrs. Louis Dall, a widow aged 87, was probably fatally burned this morning by a lot of gasoline, which had been carelessly poured upon the floor of Dr. E. E. Curtis' kitchen at his residence, on the Pendyer farm. The oil ignited by Mrs. Dall stepping on a match. Her clothing was almost burned off, leaving her legs, body, arms and face in a terrible condition. Dr. Curtis was in bed at the time, but hearing her heartrending screams sprang up and threw quilts and blankets around her, extinguishing the flames after burning his hands, legs and night shirt.

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The woman was taken to Saginaw City hospital, where she now lies in a precarious condition."

No official report was received.

Fire at Lansing Caused by Gasoline.

A gasoline stove, at James Christmas', 204 Butler street, caused a fire, Jan. 15, 1889, damage about fifty dollars.

Explosion by Kindling a Fire with Gasoline, at Sault Ste. Marie.

The following to Hon. H. D. Platt, State Inspector of Oils, from the Deputy Oil Inspector, at Sault Ste. Marie, and dated June 28, 1889, explains this case:

"One of our local newspapers reported a kerosene oil explosion recently at 73 Dawson street. I have carefully investigated the report and find as follows: Miss Grace Aberdene, a domestic in the family residing at 73 Dawson street, this city, was on Monday afternoon, June 10, lighting the fire in the cook stove. It not burning quite brisk enough to suit her, she took the gasoline can and poured the fluid on the fire. The result was an explosion, throwing some of the fluid on her clothing which took fire and burned her right hand, arm and shoulder very badly. She is at this writing nearly recovered. The explosion did no other damage than burning the young lady and destroying some of her clothing.

Hands and Face Frightfully Burned by a Gasoline Torch in Alpena, Alpena County.

The following clipping from an Alpena local paper was received from Hon. H. D. Platt, State Inspector of Oils, together with a letter from W. E. Rogers, Deputy Oil Inspector at Alpena:

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'Joseph Haines, a plumber who works for W. H. Campbell, met with a serious accident last Thursday. While at work, he was using a hand gasoline torch; it exploded, and he was frightfully burned about the face and hands. He was placed in charge of Dr. Howell, and is recovering as well as can be expected under the circumstances. His eyesight is not injured. The burning oil was blown on his face, hands and clothes, and presented a horrible sight with the flames streaming from him. Assistance was promptly rendered, and the fire about him smothered out. A great deal of the outer skin was burned off his hand."

List of Casualties consequent on the use of Gasoline in Detroit, Calendar year 1889. (Supplied by William H. Baxter, Fire Marshal, in Detroit.)

List of Casualties consequent on the use of Naphtha, in Detroit, Calendar year, 1889. (Supplied by William H. Baxter, Fire Marshal in Detroit.)

INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ILLUMINATING OILS IN MICHIGAN, DURING THE YEAR 1889.

At the office of the State Board of Health care is taken to collect the facts respecting every casualty or accident alleged to be due to illumiating oil, in Michigan. Besides watching for newspaper reports throughout the year, and the reports by the several deputy inspectors of illuminating oils, at the close of the year, the health officer of each township, city and village, is asked to report in his annual report, every casualty due to illuminating oil.

During the year ending December 31, 1889, 53 accidents were reported to or came to the notice of the office of the State Board of Health, eight persons having been fatally burned.

Of the 53 casualties which occurred, sixteen contain positive evidence of the actual explosion of a lamp containing kerosene oil.

The details, as far as could be ascertained, are given in connection with each locality. A list of casualties is supplied by William H. Baxter, Fire Marshal of Detroit.

A summary relative to the "Flashing point" of the oil alleged to have caused the explosions, fires and injuries in six instances, according to tests made after the fires or injuries, is as follows:

Lamp explosion in the village of Coral, January, 1889:

"The thermometer registering 122 degrees when the flash occurred." F. A. BALDWIN, Dept. Oil Inspector.

Fire in the city of Detroit, Jan. 15, 1889:
"Going as high as 122 degrees before flashing."

"ROBERT PELHAN, JR., Dept. Oil Inspector."

Fire at Sault St. Marie, Jan 29, 1889: "Oil same as that from which the lamp was filled, flashed at 123 degrees."

"C. H. CHAPMAN, Dept. Oil Inspector."

Lamp explosion in the Metropolitan Hotel, Manistee, May 6, 1889: "It stood 128 degrees."

"LEANDER WEAVER, Dept. Oil Inspector."

Fire in the village of Lake Odessa, Sept. 6, 1889:

"Flashed at 123 degrees. Fire originated in part of house where a kerosene lamp had been left burning, but nothing is known as to whether or not the lamp caused the fire."

"E. T. YEOMAN, Dept. Oil Inspector."

Explosion of lantern in the township of Irving, Oct. 26, 1889: "It vaporized at 123 degrees F."

"A. D. BANK, Dept. Oil Inspector."

Supposed Lamp Explosion at Coral, Montcalm County.

On January 8, F. A. Baldwin, Deputy Oil Inspector, wrote to Hon. H. D. Platt, State Oil Inspector, as follows:

"DEAR SIR:-Permit me to report the following (supposed) lamp explosion which occurred at the residence of M. A. Boomer, in this village. The circumstances as near as I can obtain them are substantially as follows: The lamp (an ordinary table lamp) had been filled that evening, and had been burning only about half an hour and was therefore nearly full.

"The family were seated at the table, when without any perceptible cause, the lamp exploded. The oil did not take fire, though the wick continued to burn until blown out by the party who picked it up.

"I procured a sample of the oil from which the lamp was filled, and gave the same a careful test, and found it well up to the required standard. The thermometer registering 122° when the flash occurred. I forward the burner, which seems to be the same kind as those commonly in use here and is nearly new. "I cannot account for this occurrence, and should be pleased t have you acquaint me of the result of your investigation. Should you require any further information concerning this matter, will gladly furnish it (if possible)."

Fatal Burning of a Woman at Cassopolis, Cass County.

The Detroit Tribune of January 18, 1889, contained the following item: "Cassopolis, Jan. 17. Mrs. George Martin, the young and handsome wife of an engineer at Hopkins' flouring mills, was preparing supper last night by the light of a kerosene lamp, which was standing on a rickety table near the stove. In moving about she carelessly struck against the table, overturning the lamp, which rolled to the floor and broke.