The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-07-28
From the Corydon (Indiana) Republican,
Heart-rending Occurrence--A House
Consumed by Fire, with Four Little
Children in 1t.

Doubtless never within the history
of Harrison county has n community
been more Mortified than by the dis
tressing and heart-rending accident
that occurred nT' this county last Sat
urday night. As we Learn from Mr..
Philip Blume, who was present at the
SAD scene next morning, the particu-
lars arc about these: Mr.. and Mrs.
James II. Wilmot lett their home in
Washington township, near the line Of
Scott, and near what is called Cold
Friday, last Sunday evening, to at
tend church in the vicinity, leaving
their four children at home, the eldest
being about eight years old, and the
Youngest one. After services were
over, which were of short duration,
and as Mr.. and Mrs. Wilmot were re-
turning home, they discovered light
in that direction, and fearing that some
accident might have occurred during
their absence, FASTENED their steps,
But alasl VIXEN they arrived there
their house was all enveloped in flames,
the roof had fallen in, and their little
ones, whom they had b4t short time
previous left in the full bloom of health
enjoying their childish sports-their
innocent voices ringing out in glee-
full manner on the evening air-thc
pattering of their little feet resounding
through the room, were being devour-
cd by the fiery clement which had
gained such headway that to rescue
them would be impossible, and the
broken-heartcd mother, wringing her,
hands in anguish and grief, was com
pelled to witness the consuming ele-
ment destroy her home, with her ba7
bies in it-such agony-ah, how ter
rible! The following morning the
charrcd remains of three of the little
ones were found, side by side, and the
fourth near the door.
When the parents left the children,
they requested them not to go to sleep
until their return, but it is thought
that they had grown weary; and the
three younger ones laid down side by
side and went to sleep, while the eld-
est sat down near the door to await
the coming of the parents, and he, too
unconsciously, fell asleep. 1t is all
surmise as to how the fire originated.
Some think that the building caught
from fire being blown out or dropped
from the stove, as supper had been
over for nearly two hours before they
left home. Others seem TO think that
the children may have gotten hold of
some matches, and, in playing with
them, set fire 10 some kind of goods in
the house, from which the fire spread
until it enlarged into flames. The or
igin of fire, however, will doubtless
never be actually ascertaincd.
Since the publication of the above
we have the following particulars
The parents, as stated, had gone to
church, leaving their little one, aged
from four to nine years, at home
They left a coal oil lamp burning in
the house, and when they left locS cd
the door, so as to make the house Sc
cure anainst any one attempting to en-
ter it. The children had all gene to
bed, and were all fast asleep, and while
sleeping, it is supposed, the coal-oil
lamp exploded, setting fire to the house.
The children, awakened by the fire, or
two of them, at least, attempted to
escape, but in vain. They then COM
menced screaming and shrieking in
the most heart-rending manner for
help. Their cries were heard, but too
late, alas! for the fiery flames were
then curling about tt.o windows, and
no human aid could succor the poor
little innOccnts. r..-.
Two of them fell dead by the door,
where their charred remains were found.
The other two, the youngest perishcd
in the bed, being burned to ashes 1t
was heart rending when the parents
arrived at the scene to witness their
agony. There in plain sight of them,
but beyond their reach, lay their dar-
lings, with the fearful fire wrapping
them in its torturmg f2lls; and no
human arm could rescue them or save
them from consuming in the intense
heat 1t nearly dreve the now heart
broken parents mad. On Sunday tie
charrcd remains were gathered flom
the ruins and inferred in the family
burying ground Of DIR. John Currey,
at; Cedar Glade. Our correspondent
closes : III pray God to save me from
ever again witnessing so awful a sight
rs the burning OF these little innocents." "
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