Tragic Death - Auburn Boy

Auburn News:

The tragic death of Guy Neal, eighteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Neal, of Auburn, which occurred, last Wednesday night, cast gloom and sadness over the town and community that will not soon be dissipated.

The young man was the victim of an accident that occasioned his death with appalling suddenness.

He had been manager for the “Dixie” soft drink and lunch room, and one of his duties was to charge carbonated water tanks for the fountain. On Wednesday evening he was charging one of the tanks from a gas drum, without having a gauge to show the necessary amount of pressure. As a consequence, he let on too heavy a charge, which caused an explosion of the tank. The force was so powerful from the explosion that young Neal and the tank were blown upwards to the ceiling and over a partition that is six feet in height.

He was immediately removed to his home after the accident and medical aid was summoned. It was learned that he had sustained a badly fractured thigh as well as several broken ribs on his left side, and that he had received fatal injuries to his heart and left lung. His death occurred about three hours after he received the injuries.

He was an exemplary and promising young man who had a host of warm friends and his untimely death has occasioned much sorrow and regret among his relatives and acquaintances. He had shown remarkable business ability for one of his age and had a promising future in that respect. Moreover, he had a fine moral character, was unusually bright and manly, and had the respect and liking of every one who knew him.

Funeral services were held for him at the Baptist church at Auburn, Thursday afternoon at three o’clock, and were conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Chesterfield Turner, of Russellville. The attendance on the occasion was as large as was ever seen at a funeral in Auburn, which attested the esteem to which he was held.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his grief-stricken parents and his many sorrowing relatives.