Family Stricken Working To Save Life of Infant; Escaping Fumes From Oven Gradually Overpower George Peck and End Life of His Child; Father Dangerously Ill; Physician Faints While Lending First Aid to Suffering Group; Are Found by Chauffeur

Thirteen-month-old Kenneth Peck, 1447 South Sixteenth Street, is dead, his father, George W. Peck, credit manager for the Andrew Murphy Company, is believed dying at his home, and three others, including the baby’s mother; the family physician, Dr. N. P. Rasmussen, and Miss Catherine Cogan, are seriously ill as the result of asphyxiation, caused by a leaky fast stove at the Peck home Sunday morning.

Mr. Peck was at home taking care of the baby, while Mrs. Peck was attending the services at St. Patrick’s Church, Sixteenth and Martha. Soon after Mrs. Peck’s departure for the church, the child developed an attack of cholera, and Mr. Peck telephoned for his wife to come home at once. She returned with Miss Cogan, and then telephoned to Dr. Rasmussen.

Was Heating Water

Meanwhile she put a pan of water on the gas stove to heat.

Mr. and Mrs. Peck were so taken up with their efforts to alleviate the baby’s distress they did not notice the escaping gas, nor did Dr. Rasmussen when he arrived in a taxicab.

When Mr. Peck fainted Dr. Rasmussen attributed it to excitement but within the next few minutes Miss Cogan also was overcome, and then Mrs. Peck.

While the physician was taking care of them he too, fainted, but before losing consciousness he summord Dr. L. D. McGuire.

The taxi driver discovered their plight and notified police. Police Surgeon Shook responded with pulmotors, but when he arrived the baby was dead.

Miss Cogan was removed to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Dr. Rasmussen was taken to St. Catherine’s. Mr. and Mrs. Peck were treated at home. Except for Miss Cogan, whose condition is somewhat improved, the rest are thought to be in danger.

#2-Pilot 2 May 1917

Kenneth Peck

The George W. Peck who lost his little son, Kenneth, in Omaha Sunday morning from escaping gas and was himself overcome, also his wife and a friends, is a son of Sheldon Peck, of this city. All recovered but the little boy, who was but thirteen months old and therefore not able to withstand the poison. Mr. Peck was staying home with the baby while his wife went to church. It was cool and he turned the gas heater on but didn’t know the gas was escaping from some defect in the stove. The baby acted queerly and he sent for his wife but before she arrived the child became unconscious. A friend came home with Mrs. Peck and she was soon overcome, then Mrs. Peck and finally Mr. Peck and the doctor. A taxi driver who brought the doctor summoned assistance from the police department and the escaping gas was discovered. Sheldon Peck and son, Fred, Mrs. Walter Peck and Mrs. Marvin Gollehon went down to attend the funeral of the baby, which was held at 10 o’clock yesterday morning. George is credit man for Andrew Murphy & Son.

Find A Grave Memorial#99547326; Son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Peck. According to his burial card he died April 29, 1917, age one year, and was buried May 1.

Gravesite Details No visible marker 7/2/17.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.