Russell Force was divorced from his first wife, Grave Shriver.
He died leaving a widow, Blanche Starne Force, a son, William, and a daughter, Lucille, born posthumously. When Blanche remarried, the children were adopted by Claude Witwer.
Wayne County Democrat (Wooster, Ohio), Wednesday, December 27, 1911, p. 3:
"KILLED AT DETROIT
RUSSELL FORCE MEETS INSTANT DEATH WHILE AT WORK IN DETROIT
Russell Force, brother of Miss Mollie Force of Wooster and Enos Force formerly employed at this office but now of Detroit, was instantly killed Friday afternoon in Detroit by an explosion in a bottling works.
Mr. Force was employed in the works at the time of the accident, a fellow workman standing just back of him escaped without injury.
Mr. Force was formerly from Shreve, this county, and was the son of Wm. Force, deceased. He was aged about 33 years. He married Miss Blanche Starn of Orrville, and she and one son survive. Mr. Force was a fine young man and was well liked by everyone. He was diligent and kind. His death coming as it did so suddenly, and at Christmas time, casts a deep gloom over the relatives and friends.
The Detroit Free Press of Saturday contained an account of the death of Russell Force, former Wayne county boy, mention of which was made in Saturday's issue. Funeral services were held at Orrville Monday afternoon. The Detroit paper says: 'Russell Force, 32 years old, employed as a bottler at Mcbride, East & Pollard's bottling works, 7-9 Church St., was instantly killed yesterday afternoon when a 10 gallon syphon seltzer tank exploded, nearly severing the man's head from the shoulders.'
At the time of the accident Force was charging the tank with the powerful carbonic acid gas. On the machine which is used for charging the tanks is a regulator controlling the supply of gas. It is thought by other employees of the plant that Force neglected to watch the regulator and shut off the gas at the required pressure, or else turned the gas into the tank too fast, thus causing the explosion.
No one saw the accident as Force was at work in a spot secluded by a large number of boxes piled up around him. Without warning the heavy tank shot upwards. Force was bent slightly over while the process of filling the tank was in progress. The heavy metal caught him directly under the chin, crushing and tearing his head in a horrible manner. Death was instantaneous, as life was extinct when two other employees who were at work in the bottling department reached his side after the explosion.
Removed to the Morgue
Coroner Clerk De Laurier had the body removed to the county morgue. He also took possession of the tank and will turn it over to Coroner Burgess. The wrecked syphon will be examined by experts to ascertain if there were any flaws in it.
Examination of the tank shows that it gave way from the bottom. De Laurier will make further investigation, and if his findings warrant it an inquest will be held.
Force leaves a widow and one child. Until a short time ago they made their home at 311 Fifteenth St., with a brother, Enos Force, but recently moved to 582 Sixteenth St. His relations live in a small town near Cleveland, O. He has been employed by McBride, Earl & Pollard since last August, and was regarded as a reliable man.
Mrs. Force has been in ill health for some months, and when informed late yesterday of the death of her husband, she grew hysterical and it became necessary to summon a physician. Later in the evening she was taken from her home on Sixteenth St., to the residence of her husband's brother, Enos Force, 311 Fifteenth St., where she is attended by Dr. Thomas C. Starrs, 250 Fifteenth St.
Resting Much Easier
Last night she was resting much easier, and seemed more reconciled to her sorrow. Her two year old son, William, prattled about on the floor, unconscious of the tragedy that had deprived him of his father.
'I thought that death would visit our neighborhood,' declared Mrs. W. J. Tulloch, who lives on the lower floor of 582 Sixteenth St. Force and his wife occupied apartment above. 'Thursday night dogs kept up a continual howling around the house and kept us awake for a good portion of the night. We are from Scotland, and in the 'old country' this is taken as a sign that a death will occur in the neighborhood soon. Yesterday morning Mrs. Force broke the shade of a large lamp, and this is also an incident that excited our old country superstitions. I remarked to my husband that theses signs would mean a death, and it came out too true.'
The body of the explosion victim will be taken to Orrville, O., Sunday for burial."
He died leaving a widow, Blanche Starne Force, a son, William, and a daughter, Lucille, born posthumously. When Blanche remarried, the children were adopted by Claude Witwer.
Wayne County Democrat (Wooster, Ohio), Wednesday, December 27, 1911, p. 3:
"KILLED AT DETROIT
RUSSELL FORCE MEETS INSTANT DEATH WHILE AT WORK IN DETROIT
Russell Force, brother of Miss Mollie Force of Wooster and Enos Force formerly employed at this office but now of Detroit, was instantly killed Friday afternoon in Detroit by an explosion in a bottling works.
Mr. Force was employed in the works at the time of the accident, a fellow workman standing just back of him escaped without injury.
Mr. Force was formerly from Shreve, this county, and was the son of Wm. Force, deceased. He was aged about 33 years. He married Miss Blanche Starn of Orrville, and she and one son survive. Mr. Force was a fine young man and was well liked by everyone. He was diligent and kind. His death coming as it did so suddenly, and at Christmas time, casts a deep gloom over the relatives and friends.
The Detroit Free Press of Saturday contained an account of the death of Russell Force, former Wayne county boy, mention of which was made in Saturday's issue. Funeral services were held at Orrville Monday afternoon. The Detroit paper says: 'Russell Force, 32 years old, employed as a bottler at Mcbride, East & Pollard's bottling works, 7-9 Church St., was instantly killed yesterday afternoon when a 10 gallon syphon seltzer tank exploded, nearly severing the man's head from the shoulders.'
At the time of the accident Force was charging the tank with the powerful carbonic acid gas. On the machine which is used for charging the tanks is a regulator controlling the supply of gas. It is thought by other employees of the plant that Force neglected to watch the regulator and shut off the gas at the required pressure, or else turned the gas into the tank too fast, thus causing the explosion.
No one saw the accident as Force was at work in a spot secluded by a large number of boxes piled up around him. Without warning the heavy tank shot upwards. Force was bent slightly over while the process of filling the tank was in progress. The heavy metal caught him directly under the chin, crushing and tearing his head in a horrible manner. Death was instantaneous, as life was extinct when two other employees who were at work in the bottling department reached his side after the explosion.
Removed to the Morgue
Coroner Clerk De Laurier had the body removed to the county morgue. He also took possession of the tank and will turn it over to Coroner Burgess. The wrecked syphon will be examined by experts to ascertain if there were any flaws in it.
Examination of the tank shows that it gave way from the bottom. De Laurier will make further investigation, and if his findings warrant it an inquest will be held.
Force leaves a widow and one child. Until a short time ago they made their home at 311 Fifteenth St., with a brother, Enos Force, but recently moved to 582 Sixteenth St. His relations live in a small town near Cleveland, O. He has been employed by McBride, Earl & Pollard since last August, and was regarded as a reliable man.
Mrs. Force has been in ill health for some months, and when informed late yesterday of the death of her husband, she grew hysterical and it became necessary to summon a physician. Later in the evening she was taken from her home on Sixteenth St., to the residence of her husband's brother, Enos Force, 311 Fifteenth St., where she is attended by Dr. Thomas C. Starrs, 250 Fifteenth St.
Resting Much Easier
Last night she was resting much easier, and seemed more reconciled to her sorrow. Her two year old son, William, prattled about on the floor, unconscious of the tragedy that had deprived him of his father.
'I thought that death would visit our neighborhood,' declared Mrs. W. J. Tulloch, who lives on the lower floor of 582 Sixteenth St. Force and his wife occupied apartment above. 'Thursday night dogs kept up a continual howling around the house and kept us awake for a good portion of the night. We are from Scotland, and in the 'old country' this is taken as a sign that a death will occur in the neighborhood soon. Yesterday morning Mrs. Force broke the shade of a large lamp, and this is also an incident that excited our old country superstitions. I remarked to my husband that theses signs would mean a death, and it came out too true.'
The body of the explosion victim will be taken to Orrville, O., Sunday for burial."
Russell Force was divorced from his first wife, Grave Shriver.
He died leaving a widow, Blanche Starne Force, a son, William, and a daughter, Lucille, born posthumously. When Blanche remarried, the children were adopted by Claude Witwer.
Wayne County Democrat (Wooster, Ohio), Wednesday, December 27, 1911, p. 3:
"KILLED AT DETROIT
RUSSELL FORCE MEETS INSTANT DEATH WHILE AT WORK IN DETROIT
Russell Force, brother of Miss Mollie Force of Wooster and Enos Force formerly employed at this office but now of Detroit, was instantly killed Friday afternoon in Detroit by an explosion in a bottling works.
Mr. Force was employed in the works at the time of the accident, a fellow workman standing just back of him escaped without injury.
Mr. Force was formerly from Shreve, this county, and was the son of Wm. Force, deceased. He was aged about 33 years. He married Miss Blanche Starn of Orrville, and she and one son survive. Mr. Force was a fine young man and was well liked by everyone. He was diligent and kind. His death coming as it did so suddenly, and at Christmas time, casts a deep gloom over the relatives and friends.
The Detroit Free Press of Saturday contained an account of the death of Russell Force, former Wayne county boy, mention of which was made in Saturday's issue. Funeral services were held at Orrville Monday afternoon. The Detroit paper says: 'Russell Force, 32 years old, employed as a bottler at Mcbride, East & Pollard's bottling works, 7-9 Church St., was instantly killed yesterday afternoon when a 10 gallon syphon seltzer tank exploded, nearly severing the man's head from the shoulders.'
At the time of the accident Force was charging the tank with the powerful carbonic acid gas. On the machine which is used for charging the tanks is a regulator controlling the supply of gas. It is thought by other employees of the plant that Force neglected to watch the regulator and shut off the gas at the required pressure, or else turned the gas into the tank too fast, thus causing the explosion.
No one saw the accident as Force was at work in a spot secluded by a large number of boxes piled up around him. Without warning the heavy tank shot upwards. Force was bent slightly over while the process of filling the tank was in progress. The heavy metal caught him directly under the chin, crushing and tearing his head in a horrible manner. Death was instantaneous, as life was extinct when two other employees who were at work in the bottling department reached his side after the explosion.
Removed to the Morgue
Coroner Clerk De Laurier had the body removed to the county morgue. He also took possession of the tank and will turn it over to Coroner Burgess. The wrecked syphon will be examined by experts to ascertain if there were any flaws in it.
Examination of the tank shows that it gave way from the bottom. De Laurier will make further investigation, and if his findings warrant it an inquest will be held.
Force leaves a widow and one child. Until a short time ago they made their home at 311 Fifteenth St., with a brother, Enos Force, but recently moved to 582 Sixteenth St. His relations live in a small town near Cleveland, O. He has been employed by McBride, Earl & Pollard since last August, and was regarded as a reliable man.
Mrs. Force has been in ill health for some months, and when informed late yesterday of the death of her husband, she grew hysterical and it became necessary to summon a physician. Later in the evening she was taken from her home on Sixteenth St., to the residence of her husband's brother, Enos Force, 311 Fifteenth St., where she is attended by Dr. Thomas C. Starrs, 250 Fifteenth St.
Resting Much Easier
Last night she was resting much easier, and seemed more reconciled to her sorrow. Her two year old son, William, prattled about on the floor, unconscious of the tragedy that had deprived him of his father.
'I thought that death would visit our neighborhood,' declared Mrs. W. J. Tulloch, who lives on the lower floor of 582 Sixteenth St. Force and his wife occupied apartment above. 'Thursday night dogs kept up a continual howling around the house and kept us awake for a good portion of the night. We are from Scotland, and in the 'old country' this is taken as a sign that a death will occur in the neighborhood soon. Yesterday morning Mrs. Force broke the shade of a large lamp, and this is also an incident that excited our old country superstitions. I remarked to my husband that theses signs would mean a death, and it came out too true.'
The body of the explosion victim will be taken to Orrville, O., Sunday for burial."
He died leaving a widow, Blanche Starne Force, a son, William, and a daughter, Lucille, born posthumously. When Blanche remarried, the children were adopted by Claude Witwer.
Wayne County Democrat (Wooster, Ohio), Wednesday, December 27, 1911, p. 3:
"KILLED AT DETROIT
RUSSELL FORCE MEETS INSTANT DEATH WHILE AT WORK IN DETROIT
Russell Force, brother of Miss Mollie Force of Wooster and Enos Force formerly employed at this office but now of Detroit, was instantly killed Friday afternoon in Detroit by an explosion in a bottling works.
Mr. Force was employed in the works at the time of the accident, a fellow workman standing just back of him escaped without injury.
Mr. Force was formerly from Shreve, this county, and was the son of Wm. Force, deceased. He was aged about 33 years. He married Miss Blanche Starn of Orrville, and she and one son survive. Mr. Force was a fine young man and was well liked by everyone. He was diligent and kind. His death coming as it did so suddenly, and at Christmas time, casts a deep gloom over the relatives and friends.
The Detroit Free Press of Saturday contained an account of the death of Russell Force, former Wayne county boy, mention of which was made in Saturday's issue. Funeral services were held at Orrville Monday afternoon. The Detroit paper says: 'Russell Force, 32 years old, employed as a bottler at Mcbride, East & Pollard's bottling works, 7-9 Church St., was instantly killed yesterday afternoon when a 10 gallon syphon seltzer tank exploded, nearly severing the man's head from the shoulders.'
At the time of the accident Force was charging the tank with the powerful carbonic acid gas. On the machine which is used for charging the tanks is a regulator controlling the supply of gas. It is thought by other employees of the plant that Force neglected to watch the regulator and shut off the gas at the required pressure, or else turned the gas into the tank too fast, thus causing the explosion.
No one saw the accident as Force was at work in a spot secluded by a large number of boxes piled up around him. Without warning the heavy tank shot upwards. Force was bent slightly over while the process of filling the tank was in progress. The heavy metal caught him directly under the chin, crushing and tearing his head in a horrible manner. Death was instantaneous, as life was extinct when two other employees who were at work in the bottling department reached his side after the explosion.
Removed to the Morgue
Coroner Clerk De Laurier had the body removed to the county morgue. He also took possession of the tank and will turn it over to Coroner Burgess. The wrecked syphon will be examined by experts to ascertain if there were any flaws in it.
Examination of the tank shows that it gave way from the bottom. De Laurier will make further investigation, and if his findings warrant it an inquest will be held.
Force leaves a widow and one child. Until a short time ago they made their home at 311 Fifteenth St., with a brother, Enos Force, but recently moved to 582 Sixteenth St. His relations live in a small town near Cleveland, O. He has been employed by McBride, Earl & Pollard since last August, and was regarded as a reliable man.
Mrs. Force has been in ill health for some months, and when informed late yesterday of the death of her husband, she grew hysterical and it became necessary to summon a physician. Later in the evening she was taken from her home on Sixteenth St., to the residence of her husband's brother, Enos Force, 311 Fifteenth St., where she is attended by Dr. Thomas C. Starrs, 250 Fifteenth St.
Resting Much Easier
Last night she was resting much easier, and seemed more reconciled to her sorrow. Her two year old son, William, prattled about on the floor, unconscious of the tragedy that had deprived him of his father.
'I thought that death would visit our neighborhood,' declared Mrs. W. J. Tulloch, who lives on the lower floor of 582 Sixteenth St. Force and his wife occupied apartment above. 'Thursday night dogs kept up a continual howling around the house and kept us awake for a good portion of the night. We are from Scotland, and in the 'old country' this is taken as a sign that a death will occur in the neighborhood soon. Yesterday morning Mrs. Force broke the shade of a large lamp, and this is also an incident that excited our old country superstitions. I remarked to my husband that theses signs would mean a death, and it came out too true.'
The body of the explosion victim will be taken to Orrville, O., Sunday for burial."
Inscription
RUSSELL FORCE
1877-1911
Gravesite Details
Year of birth in error on the gravestone.
