Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1904 — FATAL ACCIDENT AT MONON. [ARTICLE]

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MONON.

ftf». Matilda Berry U Burned ta Death While Starting a Fire With Coal Oil. .While attempting to start a fire with coal oil early last Saturday morning, at her home in Monon, Mrs. M. J. Berry, mother of Mrs. U. M. Baughman of this city, received bprns from which she died at about 4 o’clock the same day. It seems that Mrs. Berry had gotten up very early in the morning, attired only iu her night clothes, to start a fire in the kitchen stove. She poured coal oil direct on the kindling from a- can, and apparently there was still some fire in the stove from the night before, for the flames burst up and communicated with the can of oil, bnrstiDg the can and scattering burning oil all over the unfortunate woman and covering the floor. After vainly attempting to fight the flames for a moment Mrs. Berry called her daughter, Mrs. Baughman of this city, who with her little daughter was occupying an upstairs room. The latter ran to her mother’s assistance and attempted to wrap her in some portiere and smother the flames. This proved inefective, but the little girl dragged some bed quilts to the room and after some time the fire was smothered from the burning woman. Leaving her little daughter holding the bed spreads about the form, Mrs. Baughman ran nearly a block for a doctor, returning in a few moments with him, but the lady was burned so badly that nothing could be done except afleivate in a measure her sufferings. She was conscious and maintained her strength wonderfully up to a half hour before her death, getting up and sitting in a chair a part of the time. Mrs. Baughman was burned somewhat on one hand and foot in trying to subdue the flames and was greatly prostrated by the shock. She is still in Monon with Mr. Baughman at this writing. Mrs. Berry had often visited her daughter here and was well known to many of our citizens. The funeral was held Monday and was largely attended. Deceased was about 65 years of age and a highly respected lady. The sympathy of a host of friends is extended to the bereaved relatives.