Elyria, Ohio, USA
1929 - FIVE KILLED BY GAS EXPLOSION.

Elyria, Nov. 9 (INS) - Five workmen were killed and four seriously injured when a gas explosion damaged the plant of the Timm Spring Company, here this morning.

The blast occurred shortly after 7:00 a.m. as the workmen were entering the plant.

Only one of the dead men is identified so far. He is JOHN RAPLE, aged 21, a workman.

All of the bodies of the dead men were horribly mangled, making immediate identification difficult.

The blast is believed to have resulted when one of the workmen lighted a cigarette.

The shock of the explosion was felt all over the city. Scores of window panes crumbled. Several homes nearby the Timm plant caught on fire.

All available men of the police and fire departments were rushed to the scene of the explosion. Scores of volunteers aided in getting the situation under hand.

The Timm plant employs fifty men. Because of the early hour, many had not arrived at the building. Had the blast occurred a few minutes later, the loss of life would undoubtedly have been greater.

Damages caused by the blast were estimated at $100,000.

Three of the dead had been identified by 11:00 a.m. They are:
MICHAEL SWETZ, aged 24.
JOHN RAPLE, aged 38.
LOUIS BUTCHER, aged 40.
BUTCHER is the father of seven children.
The two other dead are believed to be WALTER H. SIMPSON and WALTER KEYES.

The injured are:
MRS. MARGARET OLTMAN, whose condition is extremely critical.
MARY DOWNS.
MYRON SAUSLER.
SAM HUSTON, foremen of the plant.
AUGUST GREMMEL.

The Van Wert Daily Bulletin
Ohio
November 9, 1929

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