Myrtle J. Aldrich

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-39382
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Pupil, Nurse

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174285036
• Interesting: accident, misfortune
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-135063
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Engineer
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Engineer
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Misfortune: 1897; burned to death

Notes:

ALDRICH (Berlin, Ont.) Jan. 26 - A terrible fire which has already resulted in one fatality and through which others may follow, happened here tonight at 7: 30. Two terrible explosions in rapid succession frightened people living in the near vicinity of the Gas company's works.

A reporter lives near the scene, and running out of the house, saw the gas works were on fire. The sound of a man's voice shouting "Help! help!" in a frantic voice was heard. Not long after an alarm was sent in, and the firemen were on the scene in quick time, and had streams playing on the flames.

Those who arrived on the scene first found E. Carl Breithaupt, manager of the Gas company and who is also manager of the electric street railway, lying on the low roof of a shed adjoining the burning building. He was terribly burned and bruised about the head and body. He was taken to Dr. G.H. Bowlby's residence and his injuries looked after. He was unconscious. It is feared his back is broken. When the reporter called at the doctor's residence shortly after, he was told that Mr. Breithaupt had recovered consciousness, but that it was not known, whether he would live or not. Near the burning building, a workman employed about the works, named Weller, was found in an unconscious state. He was carried to an adjoining house, where he now lies at this writing, unconscious.

But a horrible discovery awaited the searchers. A smothered cry was heard inside the burning building, and two brave firemen rushed in the teeth of the flames to attempt a rescue. The other firemen turned the hose on them, and by this means they were enabled to get at the imprisoned man, who was lying near the oil tanks, under a heap of burning wood and bricks. Before they got him out, however, he was dead. His hands and feet were literally burned off, and his face was burned beyond recognition. Though he could not be positively recognized, it was known that the poor wretch was William Aldrich, the electrician of the building. He was laid out on the snow, until Suraris' undertaking wagon was brought, when he was taken to the undertaking establishment.

There are different stories as to how the fire originated, but as all those in the building, at the time are dead or unconscious, it can only be a surmise. The general impression prevails, that the three men went into the building where the gas is made and the tanks of oil are kept, in order to make some repairs. One must have had a cigar, and a spark from it evidently dropped into one of the tanks. Immediately the oil must have exploded, and Mr. Breithaupt, and Mr. Weller were thrown outside, while poor Aldrich, less fortunate, was dashed against the stone wall of the building to die horribly, being literally roasted to death.

Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday, January 27, 1897

William married Mary Jardine 22 Sep 1869, , Perth Co., Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of James Jardine and Jane) was born 7 Mar 1850, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Apr 1923. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Aldrich
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-135064
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1901, 136 Young St, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Directory: 1912, 136 Young St, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Residence:
Aldrich Mrs Mary : [Current Address 2023] 136 Young St [Historical Address] 52 Yonge

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-100066
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; blacksmith

James — Jane. Jane was born 1820, , Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Jardine
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-100071