CUYAHOGA COUNTY OHIO - HODGSON Newspaper Article (1911) *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Hodgson hodgson@azstarnet.com October 6, 1998 *********************************************************************** Cleveland Plain Dealer, 23 January 1911 Three Funerals in One Brothers, Two of Whom Were Asphyxiated Will Be Buried Tomorrow. The triple funeral of Edward, Archibald and Henry Hodgson, the latter two of whom were asphyxiated at the West Side plant of the East Ohio Gas Co., and the former, who was prostrated and died from grief over his brothers deaths, will be held at the Hodgson residence, 2616 Franklin av N.W. tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Services will be conducted by Rev. J.O. Fall of the Western Seaman's Friend Society, of which three Hodgsons were members. The Woodmen of the World will also assist in the funeral services, and the funeral rites of the Woodmen order will be observed. Joseph Hodgson, father of the victims and superintendent of the gas plant in which the youths met their death, is gradually recovering from the brave but futile attempt to rescue his sons. He was taken from the hospital to his home yesterday. Father and Sons Stricken by Gas. Gas Claims Two in Pit of Death. Fumes From Leaking Valve Overcome Three Who Try for Lives of Victims. Father Fails in Attempt to Save and May Add to List of Dead. Two men were killed, a third man went to a hospital in a critical condition and two others were overcome by gas in a valve pit at the point of the People's Gas Light & Coke Co. River rd. 24 W. and W. 25th st., yesterday. Joseph Hodgson, 54, of 2616 Franklin av N.W. superintendent of the plant, is in a serious condition. Hodgson's two sons, Archibald, 24, married, 2603 Franklin av N.W. and Henry, 21, single, who lived with his father are dead. Patolman Burrows and Toll of the eighth precinct recovered after being led away from the mouth of the pit. The pit in which the father and his two sons were overcome is about fifteen feet deep and three feet in diameter and is in a shed adjoining a big gas tank. At the bottom is a valve that conducts gas from the tank. This valve had been leaking and the father sent his sons to repair it. As Archibald lowered himself into the pit Henry saw him stagger and fall against the side. He immediately went to the rescue and also was overcome. The father found the two boys unconscious. Patrolman Burrows acting sergaent and Patrolman Toll hurried to the scene, while the firemen of engine Co. 4 together with Saxon's and A.R. Nunn's ambulances were called. Joseph Hodgson then went into the pit, but was overcome. Burrows and Toll tried to effect a rescue, but felt themselves being overcome and crawled from the pit. The firemen used a noose and grappling hook to pull the three unconscioous men out. Henry was placed in Saxton's ambulance but died before St. John's hospital was reached. Archibald was taken to Lutheran hospital in A.R. Nunn's ambulance but succombed two hours later. The father was taken to German hospital by Saxton's ambulance and was revived. __________________________________________________________________________ Jane Hunter Hodgson Tucson, Arizona hodgson@azstarnet.com