The Portland daily press., 1873-06-24

ONE WOMAN KILLED AND ANOTHER BADLY
BURNED.

Abont three o'clock yesterday morning fire
was discovered in the stable ADJOINING the
dwelling house owned by Charles Bracket, sit
mated on Saco street, about one half mile from
saccarappa village. The house was a two
story building with ell, and was occupied by
the family of Benz F. Roberts The family of
Mr.. Roberts consisted of himself, wife and sew
en- children, his mother, an old lady of about
20 years of age, and his niece, an accomplished
young lady of IS years, Mr.. Roberts was the
first to discover the fire, and he at once aroused
the family. The entire family, with the ex-
ception of the old lady and niece who slept to-
gether in the back attic, succeeded in making
their escape in safety from the house, though
they were unable to save any clothing but what
they had on. Mrs. Roberts was severely in
jured in the face and hand by coming in con-
tact, in the excitement of the moment, with
heavy place of furniture.
The fire had made such Roadway when dis
covered that it was impossible to check it and
the entire buildings were speedily reduced to
ashes. The furniture, hay, farming tools and
a COW were burnt. The saddest part of the
story remains to be told. The old lady mem
toned was sleeping in the back attic, together
with Miss Mary Body, the niece. They were
awakened by the smoke and endeavored to es-
cape by the back stairs, the only way down, but
the flames had possession of them, and so they
dashed for the window, out of which in her
crazed excitement the old lady threw herself
headlong, distance of "a feet, striking upon
her head and producing almost instant death.
The niece with more caution let herself down
as far as possible and then dropped without
serious injury. But both were severely burned,
Miss Body ON the hands, arms, face and body.
While this event was occurring the neighbors
had arrived at the burning building and both
Miss Body and the body of the old lady were
carried into neighbours house and a physician
summoned to attend Miss Body. She is
teacher in one of the public schools and is said
to be universally beloved by all who know her.
A pleasing incident was developed yesterday
afternoon. A little daughter of DR.. Sylvester,
and one of the pupils of Miss Body, had her
sympathies so much aroused by the terrible
accident, that she drew up subscription paper
and started off in the village to raise funds for
her loved teacher.
Mrs. Roberts, the old lady, is said to have
been a lady of intellect and was greatly es-
teemed by all who knew her in the village.
This sad event has cast gloom over the entire
village.
Miss Body is attended by Dr. j. M Stewart
The property of Mr.. Roberts was uninsured.
The buildings wera insured for $4,000 Coroner
Gould went out with view of holding an in
quest over the remains, but after learning all
the circumstances deemed it unnecessary
Sheriff Pencil was also on the ground, aud
from all the circumstances revealed concluded
to appoint an investigating committee consist
ing of j. S. Gould, F. M. Ray and 81. P. Murch
The fact that no fire had been used by the
family in the portion of the buildingwhere the
fire was discovered, and that one of the neigh
bors heard some one go by on run just before
the fire broke out, gave suspicious cast to the
whole affair, and the sheriff deemed it best to
investigate all the attending circumstances.
A brief preliminary examination was enter
eG into yesterday and the jury adjourned to 9
o'clock a. m. Wednesday. At the request of
Sheriff Pennell we withhold the result of yes
terday's investigation.