Son of Albert Berry & Elizabeth J. Probst.
Husband of Louise Nancy Dunsmoor, married 1909.
On May 22, 1919, the Douglas Starch Works exploded, taking 43 lives and caused a $2 1/2 million loss. There were 109 men in the plant at the time of the explosion.
The pillar of dust and flames shot skyward about 5000 feet and the explosion was felt 30 miles away. Doors were blown open and windows shattered at the Cedar Rapids Country Club three and one-half miles away. Fire trucks were everywhere. A crowd had gathered and firemen told them if they really wanted to help they should go to their homes and bring back anything that could be used as a stretcher, such as old boards or the front door from their homes. The victims were carried to the building across the street from the plant where the Red Cross had set up an emergency Hospital. Also, treated there were men, woman and children who lived nearby. Two firemen were hospitalized; Fireman C. Craft was injured by a brick hurled by a blast from one of the minor explosions and Fireman H. Hall was overcome by smoke inhalation. Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
Husband of Louise Nancy Dunsmoor, married 1909.
On May 22, 1919, the Douglas Starch Works exploded, taking 43 lives and caused a $2 1/2 million loss. There were 109 men in the plant at the time of the explosion.
The pillar of dust and flames shot skyward about 5000 feet and the explosion was felt 30 miles away. Doors were blown open and windows shattered at the Cedar Rapids Country Club three and one-half miles away. Fire trucks were everywhere. A crowd had gathered and firemen told them if they really wanted to help they should go to their homes and bring back anything that could be used as a stretcher, such as old boards or the front door from their homes. The victims were carried to the building across the street from the plant where the Red Cross had set up an emergency Hospital. Also, treated there were men, woman and children who lived nearby. Two firemen were hospitalized; Fireman C. Craft was injured by a brick hurled by a blast from one of the minor explosions and Fireman H. Hall was overcome by smoke inhalation. Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
Son of Albert Berry & Elizabeth J. Probst.
Husband of Louise Nancy Dunsmoor, married 1909.
On May 22, 1919, the Douglas Starch Works exploded, taking 43 lives and caused a $2 1/2 million loss. There were 109 men in the plant at the time of the explosion.
The pillar of dust and flames shot skyward about 5000 feet and the explosion was felt 30 miles away. Doors were blown open and windows shattered at the Cedar Rapids Country Club three and one-half miles away. Fire trucks were everywhere. A crowd had gathered and firemen told them if they really wanted to help they should go to their homes and bring back anything that could be used as a stretcher, such as old boards or the front door from their homes. The victims were carried to the building across the street from the plant where the Red Cross had set up an emergency Hospital. Also, treated there were men, woman and children who lived nearby. Two firemen were hospitalized; Fireman C. Craft was injured by a brick hurled by a blast from one of the minor explosions and Fireman H. Hall was overcome by smoke inhalation. Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
Husband of Louise Nancy Dunsmoor, married 1909.
On May 22, 1919, the Douglas Starch Works exploded, taking 43 lives and caused a $2 1/2 million loss. There were 109 men in the plant at the time of the explosion.
The pillar of dust and flames shot skyward about 5000 feet and the explosion was felt 30 miles away. Doors were blown open and windows shattered at the Cedar Rapids Country Club three and one-half miles away. Fire trucks were everywhere. A crowd had gathered and firemen told them if they really wanted to help they should go to their homes and bring back anything that could be used as a stretcher, such as old boards or the front door from their homes. The victims were carried to the building across the street from the plant where the Red Cross had set up an emergency Hospital. Also, treated there were men, woman and children who lived nearby. Two firemen were hospitalized; Fireman C. Craft was injured by a brick hurled by a blast from one of the minor explosions and Fireman H. Hall was overcome by smoke inhalation. Of the 43 men who lost their lives, 10 bodies were never found, 10 bodies were partially found and buried in a common grave in Linwood Cemetery. There is a monument inscribed "Erected In Memory of Employees of Douglas Company Who Lost Their Lives - May 22, 1919" at the burial site.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
