Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-24
DIED IN THE FLAMES.
Burning of the Rev. F. C. Clarke's
 Dwelling in Virginia.
FIVE PERSONS DEAD.
The Reverend Gentleman Himself, Ills Two Daughters. n Son and a Niece Were the Victtms-An Might Have Been Saved

NORFOLK, Va, May 2i. - Tho quaint and picturesque little dwelling of the Rev. F. c. Clarke In Princess Anne county. about five miles from Virginia Beach, and in grave of towering pines, was the scene at l o'clock yesterday morning, of n terrible disaster, news of which has just reached here. The Rev. Mir. Clarke was the pastor Of the Lon- don Bridge Baptist church, and was sur rounded with an interesting family, con- sisting of his wife, three daughters and two sons. Besides these he had staying ; at his residence for some tlme, Mrs. Pull len of Shiloh, Va. who Is his niece. and Miss Ella Bidgood, who is the gover- ness for tho pastors family.
 After prayers on Wednesday, night the nccupauts of the household retired at about 10 o'clock. At that time the wind was blowing n gale outside. and, as the weather was decidedly cool, a fire was From that time until l o'clock the wind kept mp in steady blasts, and as it in creased in fury tho fire In the old tire- place blazed high Soon the flames set the chimney on fire and sparks blew thick and fast from it.
 In the meantime the slecpers in the house were unaware of the danger which surrounded them, until suddenly MT. Clarke awakened and found his room full of smoke and n light blaze burning in the northwest corner of the building. He at once gave the alarm to his wife, who slept in an adjoining room. and shouted at the top of his voice to awaken the other sleepers.
 By this time the flames had spread so rapidly that they had cut off all egress by way of tho staircase. The windows were the only exits left by which tho inmates of the house could escape, and Mir. Clarke quickly tied several sheets from the bed together and lowered his wife and young est daughter to the ground. Then Mrs. Clarke saw her husband rush back In the burning building. Before he had been out of sight two minutes the rear portion of the building caved in and no moro was seen of him.
 At that time only four persons had es- capped from the building, and they were Mrs. Clarke, James Clarke. Mabel Clarke \ and the governess, Miss Bidgood. The other five, whose charred remains were found after the flames were extinguished were MT. Clarke, his two daughters, Bes- sic and Mariana. his son Freddie. and his niece, Miss Pullen. All the bodies were burnetSto a crisp, and MT, Clarle's bare bones aSe all that Is left of him.
 If Mir. Clarke's oldest son, James, had not labored under a misapprehension and thought that everybody was out of the house, there is a strong probability that all could have been saved. But in- stead of looking out for the inmates of the house, he looked out for tho prop crty, and did actually succeed In. saving the plano and placing it in place of safety. After accomplishing this feat he carried off several other articles of value before discovering that the five in- mates In the burning building had not escaped. With the exception of what the lad saved the family lost everything, not even saving clothes enough for proper attire.
 The funerals of tho five victims took place from the Oak Grove Church. of which MT. Clarke was the pastor, this afternoon. People from all over Princess Anne county, were in attendance, as the deceased pastor was very popular and highly esteemed.