CUYAHOGA COUNTY OHIO - Archibald, Henry & Joseph Hodgson stricken by gas, Article, 24 January 1911 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization 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 Jane Hodgson hodgson@azstarnet.com Tucson, Arizona October 24, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cleveland Plain Dealer, 24 January 1911 Father and Sons Stricken by Gas Archibald Hodgson Henry Hodgson Joseph Hodgson 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 was sent to a hospital in a critical condition and two others were overcome by gas in a valve pit at the plant of the People's Gas Light & Coke Co., Riverend N.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, 2608 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 sargaent, 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 unconscious 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