Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-04-17
HORRIBLE HOLOCAUST.
4 Dw weIIing Consumed and an Aged Couple
Burned Ia Death at an Early Hour This
Morning

A Dwelling Consumed and an Aged C"upI"
Burned To Death at AN Early Hour This
Morning.
This morning between IL and l O'Clock
the residence of Mr.. Jonathan Duuthett,
who resides short distance southwest of
Xenia. ON the Cincinnati pike, was discoy-
cred to be on fire. and in short time was
totally destroyed. But most horrible to tell,
MI and Mrs. Douthett were burned to
death, and nothing hut a few charred re-
mains of their bodies were found after the
fire had subsidized. The origin of the fire
i, ,hrouded in mystery.
Chas Morris, colOred man, who worked
on D"uthettS farm and slept at nights in
the building, makes the following state
ment:
Il was up stairs asleep when Mrs. Dou-
THEFT called me, and supposed was be
ing called for breakfast. | dressed and
went down stairs, and the door leading
from the stairway was fastened on their
side with a bolt. | tried To open it, but
could not and called tn Mrs. DuUthett, VIII"
did not answer. At that time | heard the
cracking of the flames. and knew the house
Ia be- on fire. ran back up stairs aid
| Jumped out of the side window and ran for
| help, thinking to save the house, and think
ing at the same time that Mr.. and Mrs. DOu-
THEFT were ont of the house"
! When he returned to the house il was too
late for any earthly help. Very soon the
neighbors began to arrive, and not long
there.
As soon as the heat would permit. search
was made for the old lady and gentleman,
and ere long their Charred remains could
be seen. Hoes We're attached TO poles
and with these improviSed hooks the bodie,
were pulled out of the ruins. Nothing re-
manned of them but the trunks. the arm
and legs of both being burned off. Mr.
Douthett's head from the upper lip is gone
OF this eStimablr couple but enough re
mains to fill a small box.
The colored man Morris, in speaking o
the origin Of the fire, said that last evenin!
Mrs. Duuthett was engaged in gathering
dry leaves and branches of trees that wer,
scattered about the yard. and that she pu
them in willow basket and set it on til,
hearth. That in the fireplace a fire of appl
wood and walnut was burning. II is prob
able that sparks from this fire set the baS
ket in flames Mr.. DOuthett has been yer,
weak and subject To sinking spells, and il
her efforts to save him Mrs. DOuthett los
her own life. His body was found in on
room and hers in the next room adjoining
Mr.. DOuthett was one of Greene county
most intelligent and best known citizens
having been resident there for man
years, and possessed the respect and conf
dence of every one, As did his estimabl
wife.
The CUlOred man referred to abOv
has been put under arrest. but n
developments have yet been reache,
pointing to anything but accident. The oil
couple were very feeble and were probabl
overcome before the flames reached then
and died in the full consciousness of thei
situation. yet unable to help themselves.
Mr.. DOuthett was worth considerable
money, but never kept any considerabl
amount about him, and the suggestion o
robbery and murder are hardly well found
ed from present information.