Melvin John Zuch

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-213992

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32953
• Occupation: 1893, Sullivan Twp, Grey Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Misfortune: 1930; accident - sewer gas

Notes:

Heavy Quality Of Gas May Have Been Cause Of Disaster

City Engineer Shupe At Lose To Account For Horrible Accident In Which Three Men Lost Lives; Gas Was Hydrogen Sulphide

TANK IN OPERATION SINCE 1901 WITHOUT ACCIDENT

While theories and suppositions appear to be abundant,an official expression of opinion as to the cause of the disaster at the Mill street sewer farm yesterday was not available today. Three men lost their lives in the tragedy as vaporous sewer gas, deadly in its action, seeped into one of the four large tanks where men were engaged in cleaning operations.

The gas, commonly known as sewer gas, is technically known as hydrogen sulphide, or as it is known to chemistry students by its symbols, H2S. It is particularly repellent to the nostrils and is usually swift and effective in reaction.

A certain amount of this gas is found in sewers. City Engineer Shupe stated today, altho it is unusual that it should be present in sufficient quantities to asphyxiate men so quickly.

Asked for his opinion as to the cause of the disaster, Mr. Shupe said that he finds it difficult to explain. He believes, however, that the gas, heavier than air, collected in the bottom of the tank and
gradually ove rcame the workmen. The fact that it is heavier than air would permit it to collect in the cavity particularly in view of the humid nature of the air.

He also believes that the absence of a breeze outside may have permitted the formation of this "gas pocket" in which the three lives were lost. The lid was off the tank and had a stir been present in the air, the heavy gas cloud might have been dispelled.

The tank in which the triple fatality occurred has done service since 1901 and this is the first mishap of its kind to occur in connection with this piece of equipment. Afterall these years, the engineer stated, the fatalities occurred with a new sewage disposal system in course of preparation. The tank was one of rather an ancient vintage which had to be cleaned by hand. In tanks on the new sewer property, the cleaning is done automatically.

Former Chairman Speaks

Dr. J. F. Honsberger, first chairman of the sewer committee, today outlined the events leading up to the construction of the plant at which the disaster occurred. It was built, the former chairman said, only after Dr. Nasmith and Dr. Arnyot, had spent an entire summer in this city, surveying sites and conducting experiments. The provincial department of health approved the plant on the recommendation of the experts. In view of this approval, it is likely that the attention of the department will be called to the disaster. Crown Attorney Bowlby today intimated his intention of summoning an inspector from the department to look into the mishap.

Benefit By Compensation

Survivors of the three gas victims will receive remittance from the Workmen's Compensation Board, City Engineer Shupe said today. At the preliminary inquest yesterday, September 9 was set for the hearing of evidence before Coroner Dr. J. E. Hett. The inquest will be held at the city hall at 7.30 o'clock in the evening.

Three Beyond Aid

Replying to a statement by Dr. C. Belyea who went to the scene in the ambulance and revived ,Alex Mayer thru artificial respiratory methods, Deputy Fire Chief Kern, today said that no amount of artificial respirationwould have saved the other three men. Dr. Belyea had said yesterday that, in his, opinion, the three victims might have rallied, had someone capable of administering artificial respiration been on the scene.

The deputy chief added that he applied the Schaefer method on the two men whom he dragged from the tank without avail. One of them, he said, was breathing when brought to the outer air but died while he was attempting to revive him. The other died before means of inducing respiration could he resorted to.

Moreover,Mr. Kern said, Mayer, the man whom Dr. Belyea revived, was the only one of the four men in the tank to show any outward signs of life. He was moving while the other three were lying quite still.

Determined To Investigate

"I am determined to investigate this disaster to the fullest possible extent," Coroner Dr. Hett said today. He added that the post mortem did not reveal the nature of the gas which caused death.

Explosion - The Daily Record 3 Sep 1930 pg 1

___________________


Charles Zuch, Doon Road, killed by sewer gas at the Kitchener sewer farm yesterday morning, is survived by his wife, three sons, Harry of this city, Arnold and Nathaniel of Woodstock, Marie, (Mrs. R. Black), Albany, N. Y., Zetta, (Mrs. E. Mitchell), Kitchener, Zelma and Ruby at home. One brother, six sisters and three grandchildren also survive, He was in his 63rd year and was born in Bloomingdale. He was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Funeral particulars were not announced.

The Daily Record 3 Sep 1930 pg 15

Charles married Annie Wilfong 19 Dec 1893, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada. Annie (daughter of David Wildfong and Elizabeth Sophia Krohn) was born 30 Jan 1873, Carrick Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; died 8 Nov 1948; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Willfang
• Name: Annie Zuch
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-36126
• Residence: 1893, Carrick Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 000131-8088
• Residence: 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

David Wildfong, "is married to Elizabeth Grohn. They reside near Neustadt, Ontario, where he is farming."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

David married Elizabeth Sophia Krohn 2 Jan 1855, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth was born Abt 1832, of, Waterloo Twp., Region of Waterloo, Ontario; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Sophia Wildfong
• Name: Sophia Krohn
• Eby ID Number: 000131-8088.1
• Residence: 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 000131-8081
• Residence: 1830, Bechtel Tract, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Biehn's Tract Lot 01S, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Jonas Wildfong, "was born October 20th, 1790. He was married to Catherine Livergood who was born May 14th, 1793, and died February 9th, 1874. After his marriage he resided on his father's old homestead where he died November 20th, 1860. His family consisted of nine children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Jonas — Catharine Livergood. Catharine (daughter of John Livergood and Sallie Sararas) was born 14 May 1793, , North Carolina; died 9 Feb 1874; was buried , Freeport Pioneer Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Wildfong
• Eby ID Number: 00073-4260
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tunker
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian

Notes:

Catharine Livergood, "was born May 14th, 1793. She was married to Jonas Wildfong who was born October 20th, 1790, and died November. 20th, 1860. They resided on the old 'Wildfong Farm' now in possession of Ferdinand Miller. Mrs. Wildfong died February 9th, 1874. Their family consisted of nine children"



Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].