Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-29
MR.. CLARKE'S SAD DEATH.
Details of the Terrible Fire in Princess
Ann County.

THE REV. F. G. CLARKE LOSES HIS LIFE
TRYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS
AN APPEAL FOR HIS FAMILY, WHO ARE
IN DESTITUTE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Details of the burning of the residence of
the Rev. F. G. Clarke, near Tunis's Sta
ton, on the Virginia Beach railroad, We'd
nesday night, which reached here yesterday
by persons living near the scene of the fire,
increase the horror of the affair and mark
it as one of the most horrible that has oc-
CURED in this part of the country in many
long years.
1t is now known that the fire originated
in the kitchen of the house, in which fire
was burning in the stove when the family
retired to bed at II o'clock. Miss Bette
Pullen, a niece of Mr.. Clarke's, was the
first to awaken to the fact that the house
was on fire, and her screams to her Uncle
Frank awakened Miss Ella Bidgood, of
Churchland, who was engaged in the fami-
ly as goyerness. She ran to the stairway
and found it mass of flames. She scream
ed and the eldest son of Mr.. Clarke ran up
and took her out of the house.
Mr.. Clarke lowered his wife from the
second story window to the top of the
porch and from this she got to the ground
by means of the pillars. Mr.. Clarke's lit
tie son Freddie was told to follow his moth
er, but this he refused to do, and remained
with his father, who Immediately went back
into the house to save his two daughters,
who had retreated before the advance of the
flames to the back of the house. He was
not seen again, and 1t is thought that moi
being able TO reach his two daughters, he
stopped in his room and tried to save some
of his papers and a small sum of money
which he had in one of his trunks, and this
is strengthened by the fact that when his
remains we're found they were lying be.
tween two trunks.
When Mrs. Clarke found that her bus.
band had not made his escape from the
burning house she tried to make her way
back but was prevented by her son who had
to use force to carry his point. Miss Pullen,
the niece Of Mr.. Clarke, who was among
those who lost their lives, was from King
George county, and was only II years Of
age and was staying at her uncle's residences
and at the same time receiving her educa
ton.
As soon as the ruins of the building ha6
cooled down sufficiently to allow search
to be mad3 one was instituted and the
charred remains taken out. Those of Mr.
Clarke and bis children were placed in one
oasket and those of Miss Pullen in another
and all were taken to the London Bridgs
Church. Of which Mr. Clarke had been the
pastor. Mr.. Clarke's brother, who resides
in Baltimore, is expected to arrive this
morning and will take charge of the ar
rangenent for the funeral. Miss Pullen's
parents have been notified of the sad death
Of their only daughter, and it is thought
that they will be heard from o.day.
-, ha6 0n1ty k1n.,
ieht clothes and the neighbors had to fur
nish them with others, as all they had was
| lost 10 The fire. Mrs. Clarke is in destitute
port ard the following appeal is made foI
her by the Rev. J. L. Burrows, of the First
| (Freemason street) Baptist Church in this
city.
"The fearful tragedy by which the Rev
| F. G. Clarke, devout and useful pastor
his two daughters, his youngest son and
niece were suddenly burned to death, and
the wife and two sons left without change
of raiment, has thrilled the hearts of many
in this community and excited desire witt
many to aid in relieving such distress. But
as it is hardly probable that any direct per
sonal applications will be made to our citi
zens, take the liberty, after having heard
directly of the utterly destitute condition o.
the surviving members of the family, O.
Offering to receive and transmit any fund.-
which the charitable sympathies of any O
the people may prompt them to give. | de
this simply to suggest channel through
which aDy who may desire to aid this terri
bly, smitIen household may convey theil
banefaotions. Any funds handed to me, Oh
cent in envelope to my address, will b:
promptly transmitted TO Mrs. Clarke or tt
the officers of the London Bridge Church
for the relief of the family.
| j. L. BURROWS,