The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-16
DEADLY NAPHTHA GAS.
SUDDEN AND MELANCHOLY END OF
A NOBLE LADY's EARTHLY LIFE.
Mrs. w. 8. Bruce Overcome by the
Powerful Agency of Death While in
the Act Of Completing Superior
Piece OF Art Work.

Naphtha gas has claimed its first victim
in Memphis.
1t was Mrs. w. s. Bruce, a lady OF rare
culture and refinement, who was at the
time OF the melancholy occurrence engaged
in the prosecution to finish OF superior
piece OF art work.
AT IL o'clock yesterday morning col
ored servant boy in the household OF Mr..
w. S. Bruce, whose elegant home is on
Monroe street, saw what he believed to be
the sleeping form Of Mrs. Bruce on chair
in rear room OF her house. Her sitting
posture and the discoveries knowledge OF
why she was in the room aroused uneasi-
ness in his breast, and he wasted no time in
acting. Hurriedly proceeding to the room
Of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Byrd, on the
second floor, he nervously exclaimed,
"NIrs. Byrd, believe Mrs. Bruce has
gone to sleep over her kiln" Mrs.
Byrd knew iull well her mother
would not have fallen asleep in that
position, and at once OWNED that
she was either very sick and unconscious,
II not worse. She therefore fastened to
the scene, seized her mother and tried to
arouse her, and learned the truth. The
lady was nearly or quite dead. Summon
ing assistance, the unconscious lady was
taken into the fresh air, and physicians
telephoned for, pending whose arrival
such means for her resuscitation rs pro-
sented themselves were administered.
Only faint signs of life were discerned by
feeling the pulse, but these entirely disap-
peared before DIR. Ed. Mitchell the first to
reach the scene and not more than three
minutes after being wired, arrived. Drs.
Maury and Il. A. Nicely, the latter q SON.
in-law OF the deceased, reached the house
soon after, and every resource OF medical
skill was called into operation, but with
no avail. The conviction is that the lady
was dead before assistance Of any kind
came, and that the feeble pulse was but a
lingering ray from the light OF lie that
had gone out forever.
The physicians pronounced Il the work
OF naphtha gas, which some scientists have
strenuously insisted was too dangerous TO
life 10 be given place in any home or
institution where human beings find q
pace.
The melancholy demise Of Mrs. Brncc,
J considered from the standpoint OF loss TO
r her family and relatives, TO the religious
community aud the refined, cultivated cir
cles OF society, is greatly intensified by tho
; manner OF her taking off. The bereave-
ment came while she was in the act OF
/ applying the last touches 10 a magnificent
l piece OF art, designed for present 10 one
r Of her daughters. IL was in the shape Of
} China painting, in which twelve plates
| had been beautifully decorated, an
accomplishment in which the lady
| excelled. The painting was completed,
I and TO be made enduring was about 10 be
, put through the burning process. For
this Mrs. Bruce had provided herself with
/ a kiln, especially designed for the purpose,
Q the fuel being gas, conducted from an
open Jet through rubber tube TO a con-
: neciion in the oven. She had about
. placed the decorated plates In position
; when the shock came. When she first
J entered the room the colored boy accom-
, panied her 10 remove the heavy iron pieces
: covering tho kiln and, in obedience 10 her
? commands, went TO perform some Other
y duties about the house until called TO re-
d place them. The boy allowed time 70
g elapse sufficient, as he supposed, for his
!, services 10 be required. and appeared al
the room door, with results as previously
: stated.
y Mrs. Bruce had lowered every window
. in the room and closed the door, 10 keep
out the air that would interfere with the
: heat and perfect burning OF the painted
china. by some means the stop-cock on
l. the extra large gas pipe had also been lel
= open. As the lady leaned over the open
L kiln the gas rushed up In Overwhelming
z force found lis way 10 her lungs anc
Y caused her death before she could get &
!. open air, or even rise from the chair ii
y which she was sitting. When her family
y reached the room she was leaning ovel
u the kiln in life-like attitude, and would
;. have been mistaken 10 have fallen asleeI
y by any one not familiar with her mission
. in the room and her naturally robus
= health and animated habits.
u Mm. Bruce was central figure IN
society OF which this or any other cit,
q could well boast. A shining light among
* the First Baptist Church membership, sh'
= was foremost in every movement for swce
" charity's sake. In her social life she wa
indeed a quccnly matron, revered by all
and in the home circle kept the fire o
love burning brightly and with ever
b. increasing warmth as she passed dow
the hill OF earthly life. There isn't per
son In this community whose counienancI
was free IRON shadow OF sorrow whcI
e the intelligence got abroad, and who's
C. sincercst sympathy did not at once 20 on