Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-12-25

ANOTHER VICTIM OF Coal OLA
SHOCKING AND DISTRESSING DEATH OF
A MorHER.-Mrs Mary McComas, No.
32 Miller street, was shockingly and
fatally burned at l-2 o'clock on Sat
urday afternoon by coal oil explosion.
She was abou: prep paring supper forher
husband, John McComas, who was EN-.
ployed as finisher at Otto Duke & Co.'S
planning mills. She was always careful
in the use of the oil, and took every
precaution she thought necessary to
prevent an accident. A lamp was burn
ing on the table, and desiring to use
another one which gave more brilliant
light, she filled it with oil from quart
bottle and lighted it. In attempting tc
extinguish the first light she blew on
the flame while at its full height. caus-
ing it TO communicate with the oil.
The fluid Immediately ignited and car
ried lie flame to the bottle, which
exploded with report. The burning
oil scattered over Mrs. McComass
clothing, and in an instant she was
enyolved in flames She had frequently
rlassured those about her that in case
an accident from oil happened to her
she would extinguish the fire herself by
wrapping her body in any carpet or
clothing at tand. With great presence
of mind she seized ch;lds spread, but
which proved to be too small to be of
any use, and began fighting the blaze,
endeavoring in vain to save her face
and head. Her three children, age one,
four and six years respectively, who
were in the room at the time, began
screaming at the fearful sight their
mother presented. The two older ones
ran to the front door and opening it
with some difficulty, gave the alarm
outside. The unfortunate mother fol
lowed The children to the front door,
but remembering that her infant lay on
the floor in the inner room, threatened
by the burning furniture which sur
rounded it, she flew hack to its rescue,
her motion in the meantime fannimg the
flames into liveler active. Mrs. Scctt,
living in an opposite house, heard the
confusion, and summoned her husband,
Winfield Scott, who gave assistance,
drawing Mrs. McComas into the street
and extinguisning the flame by wrap
ping her in width of carpet. Then,
with the assistance Of Mrs. Scott and
Mrs. Sherwood, the burned clothing
was removed and the woman taken
into the house of Isaac Beardsley, her
own home being on fire. An alarm
was sounded from box l29, but before
the arrival OF the engines the fire was
put out by the neighbors, assisted by
Edwin Sandys, letter carried. Mrs.
OReil,y, Grimes and Warner were
called in and endeavored to alleviate
the sufferings of the victim during the
few hours she was PERMITTED to live.
The entire body, black in color, present
ed frightful appearance from its
roasting. The flesh i'll sorae parts tell
eff and the hair was burned to the
roots. The floor doorsteps and side
walk were covered with blood, coming,
No doubt, from wounds inflicted by
fragments of the exploded bottle. The
bloody imprints OF her hands remain on
the wall. The only words spoken by
the burning women were, "Save me
save mel" Before dying she threw her
arms about her husband and endeavored
to mutter some words of affection for
her children. Her sufferings were very
acute until about ten o'clock the same
night, when she was relieved by an
easy death Those who knew her say
she was handsome woman, and was
beloved by all herneighbors. Mr. Scott
and Mrs. Sherwood were burned on the
hands and arms while removing the
clothing of the sufferer. The remains
will be taken to Abingdon, Hartford
county, to day for interment.-BafH.
more Sun.