Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-27

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.CciuOlu uaS our CITY Dctu NiSibcu W -
painful AN accident as the one we are called
upon to give to our readers in the, follow
ing paragraph, the sad reality of which is
heart rending in the extreme, and has
caused the deepest sympathy in cur Com
munity. About O'Clock Sunday night
persons in the neighborhood of the Tennes-
see school for the blind, were startled by
the screams of a woman, near by. In a
few seconds light was p seen as If
some building in the vicinity were on fire.
This was at first thought to be the case,
and an alarm of fire was Immediately given.
But what is worse and more shocking to
contemplate, the form OF woman wrapped
in flames, and calling aloud for help, was
seen to quickly run across Cedar street,
just above its intersection with Summer, and
there fall upon the side walk. Being at
tracted by the sound, several persons rushed
to the assistance of the unfortunate lady
who, frant &c with terror, had fallen by the
side of the pavement and was screaming
with pain and agony for help. a Eegro
man ara gentleman named L. L. Harper,
of Louisville, KY, were the trst TO reach
the prostrat form, and used their utmost
exertions in tearing off the burning gar
ments and eleasing her from the burning
robe of dea,th- a blanket was obtained
and being enveloped in this after most OF
the burning garments had been torn on,
she was carr ie, into the Blind Institute, Tor
by this tim,s she had already been re-
cognized as the amiable and most
esteemed wife of DR.. J. n. Sturteyant,
Superintendent of the Institute. Drs.
Kerchival Barley, Madden, Briggs,
and Nichol were summoned and did all
that human aid could to alleviate the suf-
ferer and save life. For three hours or
more Mrs. Stulteyant rested comparatively
easy and some what comfortable, but COM
menced suffering intensely about l O'Clock,
and breathed her last at quarter past )
O'Clock the following morning.
When first made known, it was generally
reported that the cause of the accident was
the explosion Of coal oil lamp, and YER
dict so rendered by the COroner's jury In
their inquest the day following. Since
then, however, we have been placed In pos
session of authentic and reliable informa-
ton, ascribing it to the ignition OF the coal
oil, by running out of the lamp on to its
side, ard not to an explosion.
A few moments before the accident occur
red, Mrs. Sturtevaut was reading aloud TO
some of the children of the school, and had
not left their room buS short wmle Tor
her OVID before her sore ans were heard IN
every art of the house, causing the great
est cor lsternation and alan IN among the IN
mates and those who Were on the streets
near by. When she was tlrst heard 10
screa m, her husband and Miss Laylnla
Crui cher, who were in one of the basement
roo ms, instantly rushed up stairs. Miss
CrT ltcher seeing light in Mrs. Sturteyants
roc I'M, thought the house had taken
fir G, and as she entered the room
saw large coal oil lamp
with its chimney of, sitting on the bureau
opposite the door, and the carpet and rug
on fire. She Immediately ran into another
room, where, seizing thick blanket, she
returned and threw it on the lamp and
burning bureau, in order to extinguish the
fire. In doing this she knocked the lamp
off Of the bureau, but succeeded in smother
ing it. Running out to call for assistance,
she, as well as DIR. Sturtevant, who, being
blind, was also endeasoring to obtain help,
thinking the house only was on fire, were
astonished 10 learn that Mrs. Stur-
tevant had been burning all the
while during the fearful time
her piercing screams for help had been
heard. Previous to her death the unfOrtu-
nate victim stated that she had placed the
lamp upon the bureau and in doing so
tipped it to one side, thereby allowing the
coal oil to run out on the burning wick,
taking fire, and as she turned around to go
out of the room, discovered the blaze on
the lower part of the dress Seeing no one
near, Mrs. Sturdevant ran into two or
three rooms with the hope of meet
ing some one who could put
the flames ont. Not seeing any
one in any of the rooms up stairs she went
below, and knowing what danger there
was in going among the blind inmates, the
poor woman, already wild with terror,
rushed through the back gate into the
street, screaming all the while for help.
Two persons, one with shawl, by
means of a shawl Of which he easily
could have extinguished the flames, were
near Joy when sine ran out at the gate, but
instea of aflording assistance, commenced
runntag downthe street aud left her to her
miserable fate. Maddened with pain
and terrified with the despair of her
situation, she sank exhausted
upon the pavement where she was picked
up by the above parties. Though the dress
was of wersted, yet being lined with cotton
burned rapidly and the flesh was burned
raw over two thirds Of the body. The
right side of the face was terribly burned
and it is strange that she could have suryiv-
ed so long. Before being carried into the
house, where she was properly cared for by
physicians and tenderly watched over by
by Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Ballard, Mss Crucher,
her husband and other friends, alarge
crowd of excited people collected around
the place where she had fallen, aud SONS
one stole the watch snd chain she had on.
An examination of The room showed that
oil must have been split on the
floor, since the fire burned through the
rug and carpet to the mating underneath.
We tender the bereaved husband and rela-
tives our deep sympathy in this their So! and
most painful misfortune. The deceased had
a large circle of friends who mourn, with
unfeigned sorrow and true grief rs. loss OF
one whose many excellent qualities and
winning virtues will be treasured as bright
Jewels of memory and of love.
Mrs. Sturtevant was native of Win
chester, Tennessee, and her maiden name
was Elizabeth White Robertson. She was
in the thirty-fourth year Of her age, and
most of her life has been devoted to school
te. aching, with the earnestness and success
de. noting natural qualifications of the nigh
est order for the profession of her choice,
an d the requirements and accomplishments
in ali eminent degree necessary to salts
ia Glory performance of its duties. As
te acher she was jealous and Industrious in
b pursuit of knowledge, and ac-
Gu rate and pains-taking in i'm
pa ring instruction to others. As friend,
ID was sincere and steadfast in her attain
m snts As wife, all that ceaseless devo-
.io N and unfailing fidelity could make her.
In disposition she was generous, confding,
IN d devoid of Discrimination. Through all
b troublous vicissitudes through which
h State Institution with which she, had
be EN- so long connected has passed Mrs.
ST urtevant'fas Rost distinctly illustrated the
n Dble qualities of her nature. The sightless
Al Id afflicted children of the State found in
he n the tender kindness and watchful solicit
~ de for their safety, happiness and improve
% e1lt which were as tireless and unceasing
IS If inspired by mothers holy'ioss. The
u neral occurred yesterday afternoon at
h instituion, the impressive services Of
he Episcopal Church being read by Rev.
Mr.. Ellis, and was attentively listened to by
me- NV who knew and loved her whose NOR
al part was to be consigned to the grave,
Du whose spiritual existence had
";Gon TO the land. 1Ipon whose blissful shore,
Tho re rests no a<low, falls no stain;
Whe re those who me ct, shall part no more,