Two Men Suffocate

Olney, Ill - Two employees of the National Vinegar Co. suffocated today in a 20-by-20 foot storage vat.

Dead are Frank Nichols, 23, and David Wilson, 19, both of Olney. A plant worker who discovered the deaths, said Nichols entered the vat to clean it and was overcome by the heat and fumes. Wilson, son of the plant manager, Jack Wilson, then went in to rescue Nichols but was also overcome he said. The worker said Wilson was in the tank only three or four minutes. Authorities said the vat had about 2-1/2 feet of settlings or mash in the bottom.

Rescuers attempted to revive the victims once they were brought outside, but they were pronounced dead at the scene. Richland County Coroner, Susie Landis investigated the deaths, her first day in her new post as Coroner.

Wilson was the fiancée of Representative George E. Shipley’s daughter, Demitrie. Shipley, D-Olney, and his daughter were scheduled to arrive in Olney from Washington, D.C. today. Shipley’s daughter and Wilson were planning to get married this summer. Babe Ruth Tournament of Champions Parade in Mattoon Saturday is expected to be canceled because of the death.

Published in Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL) – August 14, 1974

David Paul Wilson, age 18, died in the tragedy at the National Vinegar Company yesterday August 14, 1974

David was born at St. Charles, Missouri, the son of Jack and Margaret Wilson.

He was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Olney.

He is survived by his parents, one brother Steve and one sister Linda both at home. Other survivors are grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Les Wilson of Cuba, Mo., Mrs. Verna Wilson of St. .Louis, Mo. and Russ Alt of Olney.

Funeral services in Summers-Marshall Funeral Home, Olney with burial in Crest Haven Cemetery, Claremont.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)