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SUFFOCATED IN A COAL BIN
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Horrible Death at Duluth of Bernard Balder,
a Saint Cloud Young Man.
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WAS BURIED IN A COAL
CHUTE AND STIFLED
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Parents Live at Duelm; Remains
Arrive and Funeral Occurs
Tuesday
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"The Duluth Herald, of Saturday gave the following account of the accidental
death of Bernard Balder, of Duelm.
"'Buried alive, choking and fighting for life, smothered by fine coal and coal-dust,
was the fate of poor Bernard Balder in the huge coal bin on the coke oven at the Zenith
Blast furnace last night. Balder's body lies on a slab at Filiatrault's morgue awaiting directions for its interment - and
that is all. His life of 23 years was snuffed out in a moment of horror and his young wife of a few months is left to recover
from the shock as best she may and place at rest the limp remains of what was yesterday her strong young husband.
"'Balder was at work last night as usual about the coal bin when it became necessary
to loosen the coal _______ ________ ________ which is used to make coke, owing to the rainy weather, melting snow and
nightly frost, would freeze, become caked and would not flow freely, and the steady running of the coal is necessary.
about 10 o'clock last night, Foreman William Kirby and Balder went up to the bin to start the coal running again as
it had become blocked. This process of loosening was done by standing on a ladder, holding on with one hand and poking at the
crusted coal with a bar held in the other hand.
"'While doing this, Balder lost his hold on the ladder and went down with the
coal, which he had broken down. Kirby caught Balder's hand, but in the attempt to save the other went down also. Kirby, however,
fell on top of the coal, while Balder had fallen into the torrent of coal pouring down, and went under. Efforts were immediately
made to dig him out but it was about 15 minutes before he was reached and when taken out he was dead. He was covered by
almost two feet of coal.
"'He lived with his wife, to whom he was married only a short time ago, at 24 Sixty-first
avenue west. His father and mother live at Duelm,
Minn. and word was sent them. No funeral arrangements will be made until they are heard from.'
"The remains left Duluth Tuesday morning and will be taken to Foley and
from there to the home of his parents in Duelm, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Balder.
The funeral will be held from St. Patrick's church.
"Bernard Balder was born and reared
in St. loud, where his parents resided for many years prior to moving to the farm which they now occupy. The deceased married a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kane, of Minden, only last April. Besides his bereaved wife and parents,
several brothers and sisters survive. Father Brogan will officiate at the funeral which takes place at 9 o'clock
from St. Patrick's."
Tuesday, January 23, 1906
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