The Way it Was

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

100 years ago

Three fatally burned

LAWTON, Okla., -- John Jamison, manager of the Hydro-Carbon Light Company here, and Andy Fitszwater were fatally burned by the explosion of a gasoline lamp yesterday afternoon.

Jamison lit the pressure lamp and was preparing to place the light.

He was hanging it up over his head when it burst and the burning gasoline poured over him.

Fitzwater was standing almost under the lamp also. The explosion took place in the county jail room in the new court house. Jamison ran outside with his clothes ablaze, and was caught by Sheriff Hammond, who threw a blanket over him and extinguished the flames. Small damage was done to property other than burning some bed clothes.

50 years ago

Damage suit filed against city contractor

A suit for damages totaling $6-250 has been filed against the Griffin Construction Co., Merriam, Kan., and the city of Nevada by William E. Smith and Ada Smith.

The first count of the suit, asking for $6,000 alleges that the setting off of dynamite and blasting powder damaged their home a the east Atlantic street address and also permitted water to run from a pond on the premises.

In the second count of the suit for $250 the Smith's charge that agreed-upon work including the installation of a sewer lateral, removal of debris following sewer construction on the right-of-way, replacement of top soil and reseeding had not been done.