Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-19
COMMITTED TO THE FLAMES.
A Yo'snO LADY Locked Uo In a Room Is De-
vOssrra by the Hungry Elen,eat.
Illo;,,x A I

cOtsTTd on the Hungry Ele21aedt.
Plainview News, Aug. 1871
The most terrible accident, if it may be
called an accident, that we have had occasion
to chronicle for many day, happened at
Hampe's mills, about twelve miles north Of
this town, last Sunday night, or rather Mon
day morning. It will be remembered that
four weeks ago we made mention of John
Becker breaking his leg while riding through
that valley. Well, as Mr.. Becker's condition
made il impossible for him to be taken to his
residence, he was left at his mothers house,
Mrs. Weiland, who keeps kind of little
grocery in front of the mill. When Dr. left,
who was called to attend the wound !,
reached the place, he selected Miss
Katie Weiland, a step daughter of Mrs. We'll
and, as the most fitted person in the whole
crowd to take care of the unfortunate man.
Miss Katie heroically volunteered her SER
vices, and since that time up to last Saturday
did most noble work in taking care of her
unfortunate step brother, never dreaming,
of course, that ere her task was half accom-
plished, fate hundred times more deplor-
able was awaiting her; q fate which would i'm
pose upon her the most excruciating pains
that could be inflicted upon human flesh.
and, who knows, but that, eventually, take
her very life. After having faithfully attend
ed to the sick man, Sunday evening, Miss
Welland retired to her own room, and for
fear that she might be called up
during the night, left her
lamp burning, partly tnrned
down, and retained the most of her clothing
so as to be in readiness to respond to any
want at moments notice. At about two
O'Clock she was awakened by sudden flash,
but before she hardly had time to stir the
lamp exploded. She at once thought of the
poor unfortunate man who lay up stairs,
helpless with broken leg, and made up her
mind that the only way to save him was not
already furious. She picked up blanket
and threw it over the lamp to smother the
fire, but this only served as additional food
for the element. Determined not to be baf.
fled in saving the house and its occupants
she grabbed feather bed and threw it on
the blaze, and to more effectually
equelch the fire, jumped on top of j,
herself, when the flames mockingly and mer.
cilessly came mp from each side and encir
cled her in their fiery bosom. All this hap
pened in much less time than it takes us t,
recount it, and all of these heroic efforts tc
subdue the flames were accompanied witt
| screams to awaken the household. Wher
help came to ter assistance it was found tina
her door was securely o ted from the inside
and she was In condition unable to ope1
the door. Of course it did not take long t
force an entrance, but when one is in com
plete mass of flames, as che was, with he]
1 garments all on fire, the very smallest par
tlcle of moment tells more forcibly thar
under any other imaginable circumstances
When Miss Welland was rescued from hel
fiery prison, her clothing, which con
sisted of heavy felt skirt ant
other garments, were almost com
pletely burned off of her, and her body and
limbs, from her collar bone nearly. down t.
her feet, was one solid blister. The flames
were summary extinguished and messen
ger dispatched for DR.. left, who made his
appearance about daylight. He at once pu
the poor suffering girl under thorough
course of treatment, and on Tuesday morn
ing. when Nesos reporter accompanied thu
doctor to the scene of the accident, he wa.
not little surprised to find the poor crea
ture still living. While the physician wa,
administering relief to the unfortunate one
the reporter gathered the foregoing facts
and questioned the different members of tn,
house in regard to the oil used. He wa,
informed that Mrs. Weland bough
her oil by the barrel and dealt it out to he
customers in the neighborhood. lie there
fore went down into the cellar and examined
the barrel and found that this oil, which
Mrs. Weiland says she purchased of Joh1
Schwlrtz, of Wabashaw, had been sold tx
her contrary to law, as it had never been in
! spected, either by the State inspector or hi.
deputy. The barrel was marked by the man
ufacturers CLIO test" which is all the law
of Minnesota require; provided 1t is APPROX
ed and marked approved" by the State in
spector Or his deputy.
LATER.-Since the above has been put i,
type we learn that Miss Katie Weiland diet
on Wednesday night.