Newell D. Ormiston died attempting to save Lane B. Cowell from suffocation, Montezuma, Iowa, August 10, 1920. Cowell, 39, town marshal, entered the valve chamber of a sewage disposal plant and was overcome by gas as he was ascending a ladder out of the chamber. He fell to the bottom of the chamber, which was seven feet deep. Ormiston, 31, attorney, descended the ladder and with the help of another man who had followed him raised Cowell to a sitting position. Ormiston was then overcome, and his companion, who had had no thought of the presence of gas, was also overcome. The latter and Cowell got out of the chamber in a way unknown, because they were dazed and no other persons were present, and later recovered. Ormiston was removed by other men after he had been in the chamber about a half an hour but could not be revived. 22289-1783
22289 – 1783
22289-1783