Person:Anton Neidhardt (1)

The Hebron Herald Vol XXXIII NO. 33 Thursday, September 11, 1930

Tony Neidhardt and 4 Children Die In Gas Silo

George, Fred, Margaret and Frieda Follow Parent in effort to Save Lives.

Excitement ran high in Hebron Monday afternoon, when word was passed around that a call for help had come in from the Tony Neidhardt farm a mile west of town, saying that men were in the pit silo and unable to get out.

Many cars filled with men started to the farm and it was not long until over a hundred men had assembled at the farm, and such a gruesome sight they saw-five helpless bodies lying in the slush in the bottom of the silo, about ten feet below the surface of the ground.

Tony Neidhardt, with the help of his two sons, George and Fred, started work abut 1:30 o'clock in the afternoon cleaning out the refuse in the silo, preparing it to be refilled for the winter feed. The silo is about ten feet deep and extends about fifteen feet above the ground, and is about fifteen feet in diameter.

In the process of cleaning, as reports have it, altho' a little conflicting, the elder Mr. Neidhardt was in the silo filling a tub with refuse, consisting of water, old ensilage, etc. Fred drove the truck that pulled the tub to the tip, and George stood at the door of the silo and dumped the tub as it came up, into a trench where it flowed away. Apparently all went well, for possibly an hour, while the water on top was being hauled away. After the crust of the more solid matter became broken up, methane gas was released. This gas is formed by the fermentation of corn stalks or similar matter. All of a sudden George noticed that his father was not moving so he called Fred. Fred in turn called his mother who was working [illegible] distance away saying, "come quick, father is in the silo and won't talk to us." When she arrived she found that both George and Fred had gone into the pit, and apparently had been overcome as soon as they reached the bottom. The mother called her two daughters, Frieda and Margaret.

Frieda got a rope and went down a step-ladder on the side wall of the silo. She was about three steps down, holding the rope for George to grab when the fumes got the best of her and she fell face down. When Margaret saw the plight of her sister she forgot about her own welfare and again the deadly fumes got in its work and she too, toppled into the slush of the death pit. In each case, excepting George's the victims fell face down, so besides being overcome by gas, they drowned in the poisonous liquid. George was over where the water was not as deep, so his end did not come as quickly, but the effects of the deadly gas also caused his untimely demise.

Seeing the terrible thing that had happened to her husband and children, and feeling that she could not be of any help to them, Mrs. Neidhardt hurried to the house and called into this city for help. Armin Urban, Bernie Tiedman, Rheinhold Metzger and Bill Free were the first ones to appear on the scene. Bernie Tiedman went into the pit but finding the gas managed to get to the top again. Chas. Lerenz and A. R. Bolke were there by then. Mr. Bolke thought that possibly the gas had left the chamber, and thinking that he saw two of the bodies move slightly, he hurried into the pit without having a rope tied to himself. He tried in vain to get a rope tied about the body of one of the girls, when he was overcome. By this time, his son Waldo with others had arrived. Waldo had a rope fastened about himself and went in to rescue his father. He tied a rope about his father's arms and then ascended. The crowd found that they were unable to pull him out In this manner, so Waldo again went in and placed the rope around his shoulders, then he was pulled to the surface and revived in the fresh air. He was taken to town and is recovering from the effects of the gas, but at this writing, Wednesday, is still confined to his bed.

Then the task of getting the others out was begun. John Neidhardt, a cousin and nephew of the dead proved himself a hero in going into the chamber and attaching ropes to the five. After affixing the ropes to one, he would immediately come to the top and into the fresh air, remaining there while the body was taken out. This he did five times. While he was in the chamber he held his breath. George was taken out first as he still showed signs of life. The girls were brought out next, then the father. Fred was brought out last as he was completely covered with the slush and lying underneath some of the others. In these cases death seemed almost certain, as the bodies were already badly discolored.

However, the several hundred people that had assembled worked with the two local physicians, Drs. Weyrens and Nelson, in trying to bring back life by artificial respiration. Hopes were held out for George as he continued to breathe althou' there was no response from the others, the bodies were worked upon until about seven o'clock. At times Margaret's body showed as if there might be a spark of life, but it was only temporary.

It was believed that if a pulmotor could be secured, possibly it would help. Dickinson was called but the one there was found to be out of order, so Bismarck was called. Harry Potter, aviator in the capitol city brought one from Bismarck as fast as his fleet ship could bring it here, and arrived about 6:00 o'clock. Working with the pulmotor and oxygen, the local physicians worked on George until 2:15 o'clock Tuesday morning when his spirit went on with that of his father, sisters and brother.

A shock like this is something unheard of in the history of this community, and is almost unbelievable. The Neidhardt family is one of the most prominent in the community. Living as near town as they did the deceased ones were known in the city as well as if they had lived with its limits, and were liked and highly respected by everyone. They always took a keen interest in all church, community and civic enterprises, and their tragic passing will not only be mourned, but sincerely missed by the entire countryside.

Two daughters, Annie, 16 and Clara 9 with their mother survive, and they have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in this, their greatest sorrow of their lives.

County Coroner J.K. Kennelly and deputy Sheriff John Handtman, Jr. of Mandan came out Monday evening, but decided that no inquest was necessary as the cause of the death of the five was asphyxiation and drowning.

Funeral services are being held today at St. John's Evangelical church of which they were all members.

Rev. J. M. Muinz will officiate at the services and the list of pall bearers is as follows: Tony Neidhardt William Ziegler Christ Birkmaier Jacob Hoerauf Wendel Bratzel Conrad Klick George Ding

George Neidhardt Albert Schmallenberger Reuben Terras Carl Hoerauf Ernie Funk Walter Klick Carl Ding

Fred Neidhardt Alvin Klick Clarence Hoffman William Krueger, Jr. Arnold Klick John Treiber Rheinhold Kraenzel

Margaret Neidhardt Ernest Glass Gustav Kraenzel George Ding, Jr. Tred Treiber Paul Schlenvogt John Ahl

Frieda Neidhardt Paul Kraenzel Walter Galss Arnold Duckwitz Armin Urban Ervin Walters George Urban, Jr.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR GAS VICTIMS TO BE HELD TODAY

Business Houses Will Be Closed From One to Five P.M.; Children Buried in One Big Grave

Two graves will today receive the earthly remains of the five members of the Neidhardt family that lost their lives so tragically last Monday afternoon as the four children risked and lost their lives in trying to save that of their father and each other.

Mr. Neidhardt will sleep his last long sleep in a grave by himself while nearby a large grave has been prepared to receive the caskets of the four children, George, Fred, Margaret, and Frieda.

Funeral arrangements have been in the hands of rev. M. M. Munz, their pastor, Emil Krauth and Alvin Rehm and several thousand people are expected here to pay their last respects to the departed.

Tony Neidhardt

Anton Emil Neidhardt was born Oct. 4 1880 in Froschgruen, Bavaria, Germany, and in 1892 came with his parents, brothers and sisters to this country and settled on a farm 6 miles west of this city. On Oct. 14, 1894, he was confirmed in the St. John's Evangelical church by Rev. A. Debus.

May 18, 1905 he was married to Mary Treiber, and to this union was born six children, two sons and four daughters. Two daughters, Annie and Clara with their grief-stricken mother remain to mourn his sudden departure from this life and the other four, who gave their lives in trying to save his. He is also survived by two brothers, Jacob and Henry and a sister, Mrs. Chas. Ellen residing in New Jersey. Besides these a host of friends and other relatives who held him in the highest of esteem, as to know him was to like him.

He was a faithful member of St. John's Evangelical church, and with him his entire family were active in the active work of the church. For the past six years he has served the church as a member of the Board, and his co-workers on the church board will this day carry him to his final resting place. He died at the age of 49 years, 11 months and five days.

Besides being an active church worker, he also was a good farmer. He owned two farms, one about 6 miles west of the city and the other, the home place a mile out. The two farms comprised 1600 acres of land, and his home farm was known as one of the show places of this section of the country with its large barn, modern brick house and other buildings in proportion. He had served as member of the Hebron School board for the past ten years, and was an active member of the Community Club when it was functioning and doing a worthy cause.

He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger, even tho' a begger, never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands, and he was at home at the bedside of the sick. He had borne adversity and enjoyed prosperity quietly. He had filled the various relations of life as son, husband father, friend and filled them well. His best monument will be the good report that he left behind him in his community in which he has lived for nearly forty years.

George Neidhardt

George August Neidhardt was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Neidhardt, and was born July 19, 1906 and was 24 years, one month and 19 days of age when he met his tragic death on his father's farm last Monday afternoon.

With a number of classmates he was confirmet in St. John's Evangelical church by Rev. A. Debus on March 28th 1920. He attended the local schools and graduated from the Hebron High School with the class of 1927. He always was an active student in the affairs of the school, and took part in the various activities as they came along. Basket ball, Glee Club, class plays, and the like. His death has brought the bitter cup of sorrow to the lips of griends and relatives. His was a heart of gold. He was one of nature's noblemen in it truest sense--brave, generous, manly. His was a soul honor, and his friends and friendships were sacred to him.

Fred Neidhardt

John Henry Fred Neidhardt was born on the family farm 6 miles west of this city, Feb. 11 1908, the second oldest boy in the family. He attended the common school of his neighborhood, and completed his religious course as prescribed by the churchand was therefore confirmed in St. John's church on Oct. 16, 1921 by Rev. Debus. Fred always took an active interest in the farm work laid out to him by his father, and was one of the promising young men of the community. He never shirked when duty called, which held true to the very last, as how could a man nobler die, than while trying to save the life of his father. The many good things that he did will be his monument by which he will be remembered by all that knew him.

Margaret Neidhardt

Margaret Anna Mary Neidhardt, the oldest daughter of the four girls was born July 19, 1910, and was at the time of her untimely passing 20 years, one month, and 19 years of age. She was confirmed in her religious schooling in St. John's church, on Sept. 23, 1923 by Rev. A. Debus. She was of great help to hermother and bore the burden without hesitation, that the oldest daughter in a family of children has helping their younger sisters as they grow up.

She was a true friend, and her devotion to those she loved would make a bright chapter in any life. While she has gone from the conflicts, the sorrows and pleasures of life, she will still live in the hearts of those that knew her best. She was a kind, loving daughter, and her devotion to the family circle had no limit.

Frieda Neidhardt

Frieda Margaret Neidhardt was born on the Neidhardt farm Nov. 10, 1912, and was confirmed in St. Johns church on Oct. 10, 1926. Like her father and brothers and sisters that today lie with her in the deep slumber of death, she was by Rev. A. Debus, the grand old man that served this community for so many years, and has gone to his reward where he is waiting to meet them and greet them. At the time of her untimely passing she was 17 years of age. Her future was so full of promise. In spite of her age she could play the cornet well, and was a member of the family orchestra that will not play and entertain any more. We dare not ask why she should be taken fron mus in her prime, unless, as the flowers are picked before the frost finds them that we may not witness their decay.

Hebron Mourns

Never in the history of Hebron and its community have people been faced with a catastrophe similar to the one that occured last Monday afternoon, in which five lives in one family were so suddenly and pathetically snuffed out.

The incident was so tragic and pathetic that we are unable to find words to properly express the feeling of gloom and sorrow that has been hovering over the community since it happened.

It is a matter of where one tried to save the life of another, and gave his or her life instead. It is a matter of Heroism to the fullest extent of the word.

Others that came at the call of help also risked their lives, and after the bodies were once out of the pit they all worked ceaselessly but in vain to restore the spark of life that had passed on to the eternal haven of rest.

Helplessly, we of the community stand by, lending a helping hand wherever possible, but unable to sooth the sting of the great sorrow that is upon the remaining members of the family, relatives and friends, that only time can heal.