The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-27
DREADFUL ocCURKENcE,
The Little Daughter of Lucien Wight
Burned to Death
Cambridge Chronicle.

uo MUSt distressing Casualty Lnat we
have ever been called upon to report here,
We think, was that occurring last Satur-
day morning, at the residence of L. T.
Wight, about mile southwest of town.
Their little daughter Marion, aged lC4
years, bright and interesting girl, and
her brother, or years old, were anus
ing themselves burning brush, some dis.
tance from the house. The dav was still.
and it was not thought that there was any
danger; but the little girls apron caught
fire, and In moment was all ablaze.
She tried to extinguish the flame. but
could not. and then started for the house,
and ran, mass OF fame. until she fell.
The little brother ran to the house and
alarmed the mother, who rushed to the
rescue OF her child. She passed little
heap of smouldering fire, but could no.
where discover the child until the little
boy came and pointed to that little heap:
and there the agonized mother. by pulling
away some of the smoking mass, found the
victim of this dreadful accident, curled up
literally roasting She had worn a water
proof cape and hood, which had protected
the head and face; bat the body and limbs
from the chin to the knees, were burned
deeply over inch of the surface. When
the mother uncovered the face, the little
girl looked up. in perfect possession of her
faculties, and said. Mamma, will | burn
to death?" If do, [ will go where Jesus
is, won't II" The feelings of that mother
may be family imagined, as she tore the
still burning clothing from the neck and
wrists of the child, and assisted her to the
house as best she could-the little thing
actually walking upon her feet, naked aud
fayed, and standing up 10 the house TO be
smeared with oil.
Leaving the child in the hands of its
grandmother, Mrs. Teachout, Mrs. Wight
ran across ths field q quarter of mile,
scaling two or three fences. to the street
by the cemetery. and hailed man passing
after a doctor. Ii was not until after all
this that she discovered her own hands to
be dreadfully burned and raw.
The stranger. whoseinsme Mrs. Wight
would be glad to know. did her errand so
quickly that DR.. Lyman was at the bed
side in an incredibly short time; but it
required but glance tos see that death
was a question of but few hours wIthHthe
child. Il was merciful circumstance that
the shock had so parslyZed the nerves OF
sensation that she suffered no pain. She
knew that she must die. but was BOT dig
tressed by it. The beautiful child faith,
indicated in the words with which she
created her mother 10 the field, disarmed
ed death of all dread in her mind; and she
only exhibited sorrow for the gtief OF
those about her. Mr.. Wight was several
miles from home when the disaster &C
Cured: and when be CAGE lc. crushed
with the awful calamity, she pleaded With
him not to cry. She wanted to ace aii her
friends and piaymates, and taxed "Ith
them all az they came: aud up t. within
few minutes of her death she retained
nerfeet possession OF her mental facultles
and moved and turned herself 10 the bed
without pain. She sank quietly, ano dled
without a struggle. about u o'clock that
night. -,
The funeral services were held at the
house, Monday afternoon, CONDUCTED py
Rev, S. +. Dickinson, aud tho IT mains
were buried 10 the cemetry near .oy IA
large mum Der OF neighb0ra and TRENDS at
tended, and Nir. Wight desires Us. tor HIN
and his family, to express thetr kF&'ei u
thanks to all who have extended sym npath9
and helm to them 10 this terrible hereaVe-
meut.
The condition of Mrs. Wight Is truly
ritituI Her. right maud Is so badly burn
ed that one finger mai! has dropped of,
and the others are rolled back upon the
fingers, undistinguisabe irom the burned
skin. The other hand is burned deeply
in the palm, and her suffering has been
great. They will doubtless both De deiqrm- OF
ed and a crippled to some extent Iney
are bandaged in great poultlces. helpless
and she can only ait and think OF her
grief without even the ability TO wipe
her tears away: and it will be months
hefore she can have any use of her hands
She had nursing babe, their only child
beside the little boy. It is truly case to
call for active sympathy of every humane