December 2, 1916 – Three workmen were killed and a fourth mortally injured late today when the large terra cotta cornice stone, weighing three tons, fell from the top of the new Rochester Masonic Temple, now under construction, a distance of 50 feet, carrying two of the men with it and striking two others who were working directly below. Scores of passerby witnessed the accident.
The dead:
Robert Mortenson, La Crosse, Wis.
Louis Bang, Rochester
Arthur Kruger, Mankato
The injured:
Andre Crawford, Chicago, both legs broken, head crushed; will die
The accident happened shortly after 3:15 p.m. Contractors were at a loss this evening to give a reason for the displacement of the stone. It had just been placed.
Mortenson and Bang were working on the cornice when, without warning of any kind, it swung from its position and fell to the ground. Both of the men were killed instantly.
Kruger and Crawford were working below. The stone struck them a glancing blow. Kruger was caught directly under it, and Crawford pinned beneath one side.
Crawford and Kruger were rushed to the City Hospital. Kruger died a few hours later. Physicians tonight expressed no hope for Crawford’s recovery.
Coroner J. E. Crewe has ordered a complete investigation.
The dead:
Robert Mortenson, La Crosse, Wis.
Louis Bang, Rochester
Arthur Kruger, Mankato
The injured:
Andre Crawford, Chicago, both legs broken, head crushed; will die
The accident happened shortly after 3:15 p.m. Contractors were at a loss this evening to give a reason for the displacement of the stone. It had just been placed.
Mortenson and Bang were working on the cornice when, without warning of any kind, it swung from its position and fell to the ground. Both of the men were killed instantly.
Kruger and Crawford were working below. The stone struck them a glancing blow. Kruger was caught directly under it, and Crawford pinned beneath one side.
Crawford and Kruger were rushed to the City Hospital. Kruger died a few hours later. Physicians tonight expressed no hope for Crawford’s recovery.
Coroner J. E. Crewe has ordered a complete investigation.
The former Rochester Masonic Temple was destroyed in a fire in Feb. 1916.1
1http://www.lakesnwoods.com/RochesterGallery.htm
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
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