Koehn, Albert (1903-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 May 7 p. 1

Birth date: 1903

text of obituary:

Kerosene Explosion Takes Lives of Father And Son at Cimarron

EARLY MORNING FIRE RESULTS IN DEATH OF ALBERT KOEHN AND INFANT SON

Friends everywhere are grief-stricken over the death of Albert Koehn and his infant son, who lost their lives through a fire at their home at Cimarron, Kansas, on the morning of April 28.

David J. Koehn, Review correspondent at Montezuma, gives the following report of the accident:

Montezuma, Kansas, May 1, 1941. — A very sad tragedy occurred Monday forenoon, April 28, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Koehn near Cimarron, because o a fire which took the life of Mr. Koehn and their little baby boy.

The weather being cool, the father started a fire in the heater, using kerosene to do so. The live coals in the stove caused an explosion which threw kerosene and fire over Mr. Koehn and into the room. A very thick smoke blinded his eyes so that he could not find the door. All this time his clothes were on fire. By the time he came out and the fire was extinguished he was very badly burnt on his body and face.

The baby in his bed in the same room was rescued as soon as possible but too late to save his life. The boy died at the doctor’s office, where both were rushed by their neighbor who happened to come by at this time.

Mrs. Koehn, who rushed to the rescue from the other room, was also burnt in the face and on the hands. Mr. Koehn was quickly taken to the hospital in Dodge City, where he passed away 24 hours after the fire. He tried to do what he could for himself and his family, comforting his wife, until they reached the doctor. There he became unconscious. He fell into a coma about 12 hours before his death, from which he never recovered.

The father and son leave a heartbroken mother and a five year old daughter, who escaped uninjured. Mr. Koehn was 38 years old. Funeral arrangements will be made upon word from his father, Jake C. Koehn, brothers and sister from Washington.

The fire in the home was extinguished by neighbors, after much damage was done to the contents of the house. May w remain the bereaved ones.