Death of Alfred JOHNSON, Kendall County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Wanda Reed SCALDED TO DEATH BOILER OF STEAM THRASHER EXPLODES ON THE GEORGE DANNEWITZ FARM, CAUSES DEATH OF ALFRED JOHNSON One of the saddest and most fatal accidents happening in this community in many years occured Saturday morning at the George Dannewitz farm three miles north of Plano at 9:30 a.m. when the steam thrasher engine of Charles Kopter, without warning, blew up. At the time Alfred Johnson was temporarily firing the engine and was seated just at one side of the firing door, causing him to receive the full blast of hot steam and coals of fire over his body which threw him nearly 100 feet. His alarmed and sympathetic mates rushed to his assistance and as soon as it was possible he was brought to his home in Plano, where Dr. Miller, who was acting physician in the absence of Dr. Lord, administered to him in his terrible agony and at once ordered him to be taken to the City Hospital at Aurora where everything possible was done for him that skill and loving hands could do. But his terrible burns which had literally cooked his body made recovery impossible. About 10 o'clodk Saturday evening he passed away. In the terrific explosion the front of the boiler facing the grain elevator blew out with great force carrying live coals of fire into the seperator and over into the straw stack before the separator could be pulled away from the burning straw. The inside was burned out thereby practically ruining the entire thrasher rig, which we understand was not insured. If this is true Mr. Kopfer's loss will be almost total. Mr. Dannewitz had no insurance on his straw but was extremely fortunate that they were threshing out in the field at this time. While the property loss is considerable and the inconvenience is great it is a small matter compared to the loss of a splendid young man's life. Taken from the Kendall County News, Plano, Illinois August 15, 1928 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed