Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-05-21
A COAL-OIL HORROR.
a Terrible Accidenf-FOur Children
Horribly Burned.

Horribly Burned.
From the Memphis Avalanche, May 10.
One of the most distressing occurrences
that ever happened in Memphis was the
| burning of four little children on Mosby
street yesterday afternoon. The little ones
named Meenie, Paul, Annie and Ida Frank,
had been left at home, No. 104 Mosby street
by their mother, while she went to market,
distant some seven squares. Meenie, the old
est child, aged IL years, had been directed
by her mother to light fire in the kitchen
cooking stove ere her return from market.
About 6 O'Clock she, accompanied by her
younger bro her and sisters, went into
the kitchen for that purpose. After pro-
perly arranging the kindling, Meenie took a
one-gallon can nearly filed with coal oil,
and poured small quantity of the contents
upon the kinding. Placing the can con-
tanning the oil upon the stove, she lighted
the kindhng with a match, and in a few
minutes the fire was burning briskly. The
evening being cool, all the chi dren gathered
around the stove for the purpose of warming
themselves. In about FIVE minutes after
the fire was kindled the stove became heat
ed up and melting the solder Of the bot
tom of the can caused it to leak, and
in an instant its contents became
ignited and a terrific explosion oc-
CURED. The seething, burning mixture
flew in all directions and completely envel-
oped the chliren in flames which licked up
their clothing as if of tinder. With loud
scream the Oldest children started for the
yard, while Ida, baby Of two years, fell
to the floor enYelOped in fire.
Mr.. Thomas Baker, an officer of the po-
lice force, living directly opposite to Mr..
Frank, was at The time in the act of start
ing to roll call. Hearing the screams he
ran across the street and into Mr.. Franks
house, when an appalling spectacle met his
view. The baby Ida was lying on the floor
her clothing a sheet of fame, while the 9TH
er three were running through the
yard like wild, with their clothing and
hair ablaza. Comprehending the situation
at glance, Mr.. Baker threw off his coat,
in which he enYeloped Ida, smothering the
flames in a few seconds. Snatching a tub
of water, he ran after the other children,
and in less than a minute he had, by his
prompt actions, extinguished the burning
| clothing of all three. Prompt as his ac-
tions were, he was too late to save the lit
tie ones from a severe burning. Other
ISt8lDOIs L1A dlIlNCu lli4o bitllCg anu "
their aid the fire which threatened to
burn the house was extin-
guished, and the little un-
fortunates were removed into
the house. Starting for a physician, Mr..
Baker fortunately met DR.. Saunders, who
at once proceeded to the relief Of the little
sufferers. Upon examination, it was found
that Meenie was burned severely around the
body and legs. Her face, arms and hands
were also burned. Paul, aged 10 years,
was burned on the arms and legs, his body
fortunately escaping the flames. Annie,
aged years, Ike Meenie, was severely
burned about the body and limbs. The
baby Ida was the most severely injured of
all, she being literally roasted from head
TO foot. Her eyes were burned out, and
her hair singed of, while her body was a
solid crisp of smoking, Cracking flesh. The
poor ill-.. -.if0rtunBte was horrible sight,
and fingered n the greatest agony until
about O'Clock when death came to her
relief. When an AvalaEchian visited the
house a few hours later the survivors were
found resting comfortably easy under the
effects of cooling Ointments and oils. Tie
attendent surgeons state that Paul may
survive his injuries, but there is little or no
hone for Meenie or Annie.