Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 29, 1919
Man Burned With Acid - Fell Into Acid Tank at Standard Oil Refinery

Frank McCabe, 46 years old, of Wood River, died this morning at 12:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's Hospital, the result of burns sustained when he fell into the acid melting tank of the soda ash house of the Standard Oil Refinery at Wood River last Sunday. The tank was filled with a very corrosive acid. McCabe went from the press house to the soda ash house of the plant, according to testimony of Robert Parks, to get some soda for cleaning purposes. He was employed at the press house. He went upon the platform of the soda house and tried to get in the side door, which was locked, and then tried the end door, which was also locked. Stepping over from the tank from the platform, he fell into the tank. He fell with his arms and shoulders on the outside of the tank. According to Parks, McCabe got out of the tank without assistance. McCabe told Parks he stepped on the end of the plank. The tank containing the acid into which McCabe fell is five feet deep, one foot being underground. Four feet of liquid was in the tank, at a temperature of 161 degrees Fahrenheit. McCabe is also said to have told John Tricker that he stepped on the plank and went down into the tank. He was badly burned below the waist and suffered much pain. McCabe was married, and had been a resident of Wood River for seven years, during which time he was employed at the oil refinery.
He had been a resident of this section for 20 years. He leaves his wife, Ada, three sisters and four brothers. The funeral will probably be at one o'clock Sunday afternoon from the home on Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, and interment will be in the Bethalto cemetery.