1927 — Jan 26, Gas explosion, Mormon recreation hall, basketball game, Turner, ID — 7

— 7  AP. “Seven Dead in Idaho After Explosion…” Standard Examiner, UT, 1-27-1927, p. 1.

 

Narrative Information

 

Jan 27: “Turner, Idaho, Jan 27. (By The Associated Press). Although bowed down by the sorrow of tragic death which took seven members of this little farming community in the mountains of southeastern Idaho last night, the survivors want no official probe of the cause of the explosion that took such terrible toll. Attention today was to the survivors and arranging for the burial of the dead.

 

“An acetylene lighting plant, defective for the past four years, and in inquisitive investigator who struck a match to find the leak resulted in the explosion which wrecked the Mormon community hall, which was filled with between 250 and 300 residents of Central, Grace, and this town, which is only a settlement. The attraction was a basketball game between teams representing Turner and Central. It was to be followed by a dance.

 

“During the progress of the game the lights went out. Someone went to the basement and in the dark turned the supply valve wide open. Some moments later a match was lit and this was followed by the explosion.

 

“The side walls and ends of the building were blown out and the ceiling and roof dropped upon the spectators and players. The high-backed benches protected the spectators and prevented a much heavier toll.

 

“The dead: [List of the dead and their ages is provided — five were from one family (McCann) two brothers in 50s and three pre-teen sons of one of the brothers. Also a Turner school teacher and a basketball player from Central were killed.]….With the exception of the third McCann boy, death came to the victims within five minutes of the explosion, in the opinion of Dr. Hubbard, who said their lives were crushed out by the falling roof and ceiling. The other McCann boy died at 9:40 o’clock this morning. ‘This is not the first time there has been trouble with the lighting plant,’ Dr. Hubbard told The Associated Press. ‘Four years ago I told the church people that it ought to be thrown out.’….” (Associated Press. “Seven Dead in Idaho After Explosion at Basketball Contest.” Ogden Standard Examiner, Ogden City, UT, 1-27-1927, p. 1.)

 

Jan 27: “Turner, Idaho, Jan 27 (AP)….last night…an acetylene gas explosion wrecked the Latter Day Saints’ (Mormon) hall here during a basket ball game….

 

“The building was a frame structure about 70 feet long and 35 feet wide. It was lighted by an acetylene or carbide gas plant located in a pit about five feet wide and five feet deep….” (AP. “Idaho Village Mourns for 6 Blast Victims.” Twin Falls Daily, Idaho, 1-28-1927, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Idaho Village Mourns for 6 Blast Victims.” Twin Falls Daily, Idaho, 1-28-1927, p. 1. Accessed 11-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/idaho/twin-falls/twin-falls-daily-news/1927/01-28?tag

 

Associated Press. “Seven Dead in Idaho After Explosion at Basketball Contest.” Ogden Standard Examiner, Ogden City, UT, 1-27-1927, p. 1. Accessed 11-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/utah/ogden/ogden-standard-examiner/1927/01-27?tag