Lenora M. Gilmore
b. October 1874
- Father: Robert M. Gilmore b. circa 1837
- Mother: Alice Getchell b. circa 1844
- Lenora M. Gilmore was born in October 1874 in California.
- Robert M. Gilmore and Alice Getchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Plymouth, Amador County, California. Other members of the household included Lenora M. Gilmore, William A. Gilmore, Frank M. Gilmore, Harriet Catharine Gilmore, Marquis D. Gilmore and Ida Viola Gilmore.
- She married William J. Dixon in December 1894.
- Lenora M. Gilmore and William J. Dixon appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, at 132 Fourth Street. Other members of the household included Viola Ruth Dixon.
- She married Otto Charles Harmson, son of John Harmson and Philippina Dexheimer, circa 1907.
- Otto Charles Harmson and Lenora M. Gilmore appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Sacramento, Sacramento County, California, at 809 I Street. His name was recorded as Arnold Harmson.
- Lenora M. Gilmore became a widow at the 29 April 1911 death of her husband Otto Charles Harmson.
- The following appeared on 30 April 1911 in The San Francisco Call: (Sacramento) Otto Harmson, a general helper, was blown to pieces and J. Butcher and Andrew Johnson were seriously injured in an explosion of an acetylene gas tank in shop No. 5 of the Southern Pacific Company here Sunday. A spark from a cigarette which Harmson is said to have been smoking caused the explosion.
Harmson, with Johnson and Butcher, were transferring the gas from a large tank to a small tank truck drawn by a horse. Harmson was standing over the truck when the explosion occurred. The gas was under a 6,000 pound pressure, and the force of the explosion threw Harmson through the side of the building.
Johnson and Butcher were immediately rushed to the railroad hospital and treated for their numerous burns. Johnson is in a serious condition with probably internal injuries. He was severely burned about the head and face. Butcher was injured about the knees.
The force of the explosion shook every building in the city, shattered the windows in the depot and in the cars standing on the track. A flying piece of steel struck the horse which Harmson was driving, and completely severed one of its hind legs as if cut with a knife. A tremendous hole was torn in the building, and rocks and steel thrown in all directions.
The railroad officials say that a light, presumably from a cigarette, ignited the gas. They say smoking is positively forbidden in the shops. Harmson is survived by a widow and two brothers.
- Last Edited: 5 Jan 2014
Family 1: William J. Dixon b. November 1859
- Viola Ruth Dixon+ b. 28 August 1895, d. 13 August 1990