On This Date in Minnesota History: September 11

September 11, 1904 – A powder explosion in Nelson Bros. bicycle shop in Aitken blew out the front of the building and the sides sprung out while further damage was done to the second floor where the Nelson family was living. Two persons were severely injured.

J. Walter James, a balloonist who was to make an ascension at next week’s county fair, was constructing a mammoth rocket, which he proposed to use instead of a balloon to elevate himself and his parachute.

While filling a long piece of boiler tube with powder for his bicycle feat, two kinds of explosives that he manufactured himself came in contact and ignited.

James was terribly burned and it is feared may lose his sight, and a young son of James O’Neil, who was struck by the flying shell, was so badly injured his leg had to be amputated. He later died from his injuries.

The Minneapolis Journal; “Two Hurt; Shop Wrecked. Aeronaut at Aitkin May Lose His Sight By Powder Explosion; Boy May Die.”; Sept. 12, 1904; p. 2.

Aitken Age; “Terrific Explosion Sunday nearly Cost Two Their Lives”; Aitken, Minn.; Sept. 13, 1904; p. 1.

http://www.ci.aitkin.mn.us/vertical/Sites/%7B9F360B34-0F91-4BCE-A7F7-452366ADB164%7D/uploads/%7B8D2FE0FD-3C84-4BCA-830B-2C55156A2CD5%7D.GIF

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