The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
Letter from Fishersville.
ricrLARs OF TIE BURNING OF MRS. GREGORY
FIsHERsyILLE, VA, January !. 1879.

PARTICULARS OF TIE BURNING OF MRS. GREGORY
FIsHERsyILLE VA, January !, 1879
Editors Valley Virgtnion:
Never has it been my lot to record 80 sad a ca
lamity as that which occurred in sherando on the
death OF Mrs. Maiinda M Gregory, the particulars
OF which We have just gathered by visiting her
heart-broken husband. MIR. G. had Just finished
his supper and upon rising from the table his
wife asked him to take as a present to the near
est neighbor can OF fruit. She handed him the
thirty minutes less. Clarke. their youngest
son, was with his mother. At about 1880 an ex-
plosion was heard by Mrs. Stanton. the lady t.
whom the fruit had been sent, and she. upon
looking toward Mr.. G.s house, discovered it to
be. as she Thought. on fire. She at once gave the
alarm to her husband and Mr.. Gregory, Who were
in shoe shophard BY They leaped tie fence and
ran to the house. Mr.. G. states that he found
the Kitchen door open and perfect flood OF fire
impression that his wife was up stairs throwing
from the windows such articles as could be han
died in order to save them. His little son stood.
his voice. He finally collected his senses suf-
fciently to tell his father that his mother was
burning to death in the yard Mr.. G. turned and
leaving the house seemingly in flames, sought his
wife in the yard. When he found her, her clothing
had nearly all been consumed. and she was lying
prone upon the snow. Twas the work OF but an
instant to tear her burning garments from her,
and (the fire having subsidized OF its own accord in
was promptly on hand. and every effort that skill
could suggest was put forth to succor the poor
sufferer from DEATH but the fire had done its work
too we'll, and after having lived in torture until
2:30 a. m. the 2lth, her soul took its fight to
realms OF eternal happiness.
Mr.. Gregory tells me that in coming from MIR.
Stanton'S he passed and saw his wife lying upon
the ground, but. in his haste and confusion, took
her to be bundle OF bed clothing that had been
disaster was caused by the explosion OF coal-oil
can, from which Mrs. g. was filling chimneyless
lighted lamp, The little boy states that the light
beginning to grow dim his mother took the can,
and while pouring the oil into the lamp through
an aperture in the side for that purpose, the
kitchen door blew open and blew the blaze into
house, and when ten or fifteen steps q way fell,
then raising, she ran again toward the house.
falling twice more-the last time remaining
where she was found.-qufte near the kitchen.
From her feet to her breats she was burnt to q
crisp-one OF her breasts having been entirely
DESTROYED. Before dying she expressed perfect
Willingness to depart. and calling her children
ana husband about her. requested Them to
meet her in heaven.
Der, 1927. She leaves four children, two Of when
(girls) are married. The others (boys) are aged
sixteen and eight. She was member of the
Methodist church and had been for seventeen
years.
And now. Mr.. Editor, speaking from my own
personal knowledge OF this good lady-a knowl-
itate to say that q more popular and obliging
neighbor; more selfdenying and constant
and mother, or more CONSTANT Christian, it has
never been my privilege to know.
Since this sad accident occurred. gloom has
pervaded the entire community Had there been
corpse in every housein Sherando,on Christmas
there could not have been more solemnity exhib-
tied than there was on this occasion.
Mr.. G. requests me to return thanks to the
community for many kindnesses shown him i'll
this. his saddest hour. We point him in his be-
spirits, and we hope that this afiiction may not
be entirely unproductive OF good He has lost
the best OF companions and we the best OF friends
one whose memory we shall cherish so long as
we live A. "A