The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-01-22
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Result Of the Explosion Of an
Ozoline Lamp.
Five Persons Involved in the
Flames.

Our readers will remember the reading in
yesterday mornings difpatches of a terrible
accident at st. Joseph whereby five persons
were involved in the flames caused BY the
explosion Of an ozosline lamp. As the par.
dculars we're not given, We take the follow.
ing extract from the Herald of yesterday:
Yesterday morning about five O'Clock the
residence of james McGinnis, southwest
corner of Nineteenth and Edmond streets,
was the scene Of one of the mos, horrible and
heart-sickening accidents that We have ever
bsen catled upon to record. 1t was OCCASION
ed by the bursting OF a ozoline lamp. Usual.
ly in such cases, accidents are the direct re-
suit OF sheer csrelessness, but in this there
was no want of precaution, ard the sad re-
suit is what might have befallen any one.
AT the above hour, the family arose from
their beds, and Mr.. McGinnis, his wife,
their eldest daughter Annie and the baby
Florence repaired to the kitchen. Shortly
afterwards, Mrs. McGinnis sent Annie up
sairs to bring down tie lamp for reflling.
Tne lamp was brought, and Mrs. McGinnis
6 led it with ozoline within one inch of the
burner. then lighted the wick and turned
down the chimney, when the lamp exploded
with loud report, hurting the flames in
every direction about the email room. The
oil can, which contained nearly "a gallon OF
liquid, was so involved in the explosion and
contributed largely 10 the devouriBg ele-
ment which completely filed the room.
The bulk Of the flames shot like lightning
across the room, and over Annie sitting be-.
tween her mother and the I'D in which Law
little baby Florence. Immediately, MIR.
MctSnnis seized his wife and babe and threw
them out OF the window. BY this time An.
was in sheet Of flame and her father very
badly burned from head to foot.
Joseph, one Of the sons, was up stairs at
the time; but hearing the report, rushed be-
low. and in his efforts to do something was
severely burned on both hands, and his hair
was singed. Tina other children rushed out
doors screaming ''Murder Murder d, Fire /! !
Fire
The neighbors were aroused by the wild |
cries of terror, and forthwith went TO the |
house 10 witness a scene which battles dis- |
cripiion. Mr.. Kent arrived first, and was
soon followed by other neighbours. The room
Was ablaze. The mother and babe were
struggling with the flames which enveIoped |
them upon the froz a ground. The brave
father, suffering int nseiy, was found sitting
upon the porch in delirium, his every foot
step from the scene of the terrible accident
being marked with blood. The eldest daugh-
ter, Annie, had crawled out of tie caldron
Of fame and was erdeavoriDg TO climb the
stairway.
The flames were su5dued and the build
ing saved with very slight damage. The
door leading from the kitchen was charred,
the window castings were burned, and the
floor and ceiling blackened with flame and
smoke. Drs. Chesaey and Brock were sent
for and subsequently, Drs. Donelan and
Doyle.
In the mean lime the sufferers were laid
upon couches and everything that the knowl-
edge and kindness Of deeply sympathizing
neighbors conld suggest was done. But the
flames had done their fearful work. Annie,
years of age and just budding into
was burned TO a crisp from
head TO foot, ard after most asonzng
struggle death relieved her at eleven O'Clock.
James MoGinnis, the father was severely
burned all over HIS body, and died twenty
minutes past twelve clock. Mrs. McGinnis
and baby were tahen the residence of Mrs.
Stiles, where We are confident that no pains
nor expense VIII lie spared for their relief
and comfort. Ms. Margaret McGin-
mis- was very severely burned on the face,
neck and both hands and arms; and the baby
On the face, both arms and lower limbs. The
latter, seventeen months old, has been sick
Tor some lime with pneumonia, and its re-
coyery is doubtful.