The daily gazette., 1882-06-02
DEATH FROM FRIGHT.
YOUNG woMAN's DRESS ON
FIRE.
HER BACK AND LIMBS BURNED.
Mary A. Landy Sets Fire to Her Clothing,
and While Much Injured, Dies From the
Shock to Her Nervous System, the Burns
Not Being Fatal.

One of those distressing accidents that so
frequently occur to startle and sadden
community took place yesterday in the Fifth
ward about IL o'clock in the forenoon
Mary A. Landy, young woman 20 years of
age, living-with Charles W. Howland, on
Broome street, near Eighth, asked permits
sion of Mrs. Howland to take basket of
old papers and letters and burn them ON the
lot in the rear of the house along Rodney
street. 1t had been the custom TO
barn all such scraps In the furnace
in the cellar, but as Mary appeared
very anxious to make little bonfire
consent was at last given and she started
out. The rain was hardly over and the
ground was damp, which made it difficult
to ignite the paper, and the girl returned
once or twice to the house for matches.
Shortly after her last trip she was heard to
utter piercing screams US If terribly fright
ened. Two other young women living with
Mr. Rowland at once left the house and ran
to ascertain the cause of the outcry.
On the lot they found Mary running
wildly in different directions, with the back
portion of her dress ablaze and the flames
rapidly spreading. An attempt was made
TO catch the unfortunate girl and put out
the fire, but she appeared terror stricken.
At last, however, she was gotten into the
yard at the rear of the house, where she was
seized and thrown down by David Duncan,
colored man, who hearing the screams and
seeing what the trouble was, with great
presence of mind, seized piece of rag car
pet from the kitchen floor and wrapped it
around the burning woman.
The fire was Immediately smOthered and
Mary was taken int the ekitchen, bed made
for her there and a physician sent for. Dr.I.
w. Hazlett was the first to arrive and he
was followed by DR.. John X. Kane, Mr..
Howland's family attendant The woman
was found to be badly burned about the
legs and back and her hair somewhat singed.
The dress was nearly destroyed in the back,
but the front breadths were not injured
None of the girls vital parts were affected
by the flames and all that could be was done
by the physicians and Mr.. Howland's family
who were unceasing in their attentions
The sufferer retained consciousness until
IL O'Clock last night, when she fell into u
peaceful sleep under the influence of NOR
phine administered by the physicians, and at
2 O'Clock this morning, with but little appar-
ent struggling, passed quietly into the last
long sleep. Her mother and Mrs. Rowland
were with her at the time of her death.
The burns in themselves were not neces-
sarily fatal, and death ensued, the physicians
stated from the shock to her nervous system,
she never recovering from the terrible fright.
Mrs. Landy was sent for and was with her
daughter before noon. While able to talk
with those about her, Mary was notin con-
dition to tell bow the accident happened,
but from the nature 5f the burns and the
manner in which the dress was damaged, it
is thought she had endeayored to strike a
match on her heel, from which the light cot
ton dress she wore was ignited. The letters
and scraps were not burned.
The girls body was taken to the home OF
her father, Peter Landy, 1928 West Fourth
street, from which place she will be buried.
She was the oldest Of 10 children, having
passed her twentieth birthday in February.
She had lived in Mr. Howland's family for
about six years and was much respected by
them. Father Fallon was with the young
woman before she died
Mr. Howland's family are much affected
by the tragedy, Mrs. Howland in particular
feeling the young woman's misfortune
keenly.
Mrs. Landy was in great distress this
morning, and said II seemed as If the death
of her first born was more than she could
bear.
More than a passing word Of commenda-
ton is due the young women who ran to the
aid of the frantic girl as she ran hither on
the lot in her agony, and TO the thoughtful
colored man Duncan, who acted promptly
in the emergency and had his hands burned
in his praiseworthy and successful efforts to
extinguish the burning clothes.