David Weiss

Dave Weiss Dies From Burns Received Tuesday Evening at Ranch Near Node

Body Enveloped in Flames as Oil Can Explodes Near Him

Fatally Burned, Victim Walks Mile and a Half For Help

Dave Weiss, about 37 years old, brother of Joe Weiss, Niobrara County rancher, died at the Lusk Hospital about 4:00 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, as a result of burns received at the Joe Weiss ranch, in the Node vicinity, at about 3:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, in a manner which will probably never be accurately known.

He was brought to the Lusk Hospital Tuesday evening about 7:30 o'clock, and was in such a condition at that time that his recovery was very doubtful. He had burns all over  his body and little could be done for him.

After receiving the burns, the victim walked about a mile and a half to the Germann ranch, but there being no car at that place, help was summoned from the Bruegger ranch, and Mr. Bruegger brought him to the hospital, arriving here at about 7:30.

Dave Weiss was at the Joe Weiss ranch alone at the time of the accident, and was apparently engaged in doing the customary chores about the place.

It is reported that he returned to the ranch house from the yard, and found the wood box in the kitchen on fire. He picked up the  burning wood box to throw it out,  when an oil can near the stove exploded, throwing oil over his clothing , which immediately caught fire from the blazing wood box.

Dropping the wood box, Dave said he rushed to the bed, throwing himself down and covering up with the bed clothing which smothered the flames.

He then apparently got up and put out the fire which had burned two small holes in the wall and in the floor.

Although critically burned and suffering intensely, he walked to the Germann ranch, unaided, where  help was summoned.

Joe Wise came back to the ranch house some time afterward, and seeing the damage done by the fire started on a search for his brother, finding him at the Germann ranch, and made arrangements for his transfer to the hospital as speedily as possible.

Dr. Reckling treated his burns as soon as possible, but it had been over four hours from the time he received the burns until he arrived at the hospital, and he pronounced his condition as critical, with a small chance for his recovery.

Due to his serious condition, Dave has given conflicting reports of the accidnet, according to Joe Weiss, and the exact manner in which he received the burns probably hasn't been recited.

Funeral arrangements cannot be made until relatives have been heard from. 

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The Lusk Herald, December 5, 1935

Funeral Services for Dave Weiss Held in Cheyenne

Funeral services for Dave Weiss, who was fatally burned last Wednesday afternoon a week ago, were held in Chyenne Friday, Burial being made in the Jewish cemetery there, with the Cheyenne rabbi officiating. The Peet Mortuary had charge of the arrangements here.

Little more is known about the accident which caused his death than was stated in last week's Herald. It is the opinion of many that the threw kerosene on the fire to "hurry" it up and the can exploded in his hand, although he said that it was the wood box which was afire, and that he received his burns trying to carry it out. The bottom and the top of the kerosene can  were both blown out, indicating an explosion. Joe Weiss and his son Maurice were on their way to Lusk at the time of the accident.

(Burial was made in the Mt. Sinai Jewish Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming. ) 

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