Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1869 — Heroism of a Child. [ARTICLE]

Heroism of a Child.

Rev. Edwin Clay, M. D., writes from Pugwasb, Canada, as follows: , “On Friday night lasjr Mr. Corpejius Crowley retired with his fauiily to seat, a little after dark. About ten o’clock they were aroused by the sound of fire somewhere in the building. On springing from his bed he found the whole body of the house in flames. His firsUhought was to get help, so he ran at ouQfato his barn where two of his sons were sleeping. On his return he found it Hgpossiple to get up stairs, where five of his family were sleeping, or to-his father’s room - Where the old. man and a little son were sleeping together. But Mrs. Crowley, with her babe in her arms, succeeded in arousing some of those up stairs. Her brother and sister threw themselves out of the window, forgetting the three children who were stil asleep in another bed. The mother’sl screams awakened the eldest daughter, and she came to the window and asked what she should do, when her mother urged her to thi-ow herself down‘from the window, but she replied, “ No; my brother and sister must be saved.” She than returned through the heat and smoke, ami took her sleeping brother, a little younger than herself (9 years), in her arms, and carried him to the window, from which he sprang with no injury except a slight scorching of his face and hair. She then returned through the .doo* pnd brought a stUl younger sister (ft rteari) lb th* T"dew, and here the dear girl had.'njore than she could do, for her sister in her fright refiised to be thrown off, and with the flames coming up around Her, she struggled with her until she put her ont of the window; and the chilu dropped helplessly to the ground. After hanging a moment or Upon the window sill, she dropiwd down bereelf, a ( distance of nearly sixteen feet. When she rose from the ground, she,«aid;of I done, mother; but I have saved my Brother and sister from being burnt up." -' The mother with her burnt children, thin walked a distance of 670 yards (I had it measured) to the first'neighbor’s house, in a state or nudity, for they hud not saved, any clothing. I wks soon sent for, and, in abort three nourS after the fire, was attending to the wantsof the sufferingchildren. I saw there was pp‘ hope of' saving the dear girl; from her forehead to the hot-, tom of her feet she was one mass of burnt fleshJ This, .with the fearfiil shock received from jumping 80 far 1 , and walking such a. distance in the cold Q.hp night being very chilly), caused'her ,td sink veryrapidly, and nt fl in the morning she died, aged 11 years and 8 mouthy a martyr ito the lovtf of her brothel, gij<J sister. I I never before saw so much courage aiid firtnnfcM in pne Wyoung; and while dressing her burnt ana bruised limbs she uttered no complaint Her sister diedin the’ window. The rest, I hope, will all recovtt. broken-hearted, weeping their suf sering loved ones.’ 1 - 1 -r J / : u ,