Telegram-herald., 1891-09-12
Tfngers and Toes Contracted and
Toes Drawn Up---An Un-
shapely Mass.
ITS EYES. EARS AND NOSE EFFlCED
9he Mothers Agony and = Fathers silent
sorrow-A House Catches Fire by the
Explosion of . Lamp-Capt ker-
win, of No. q, Brings Out the
ChArrsd Remains

Teunis DeHaan, his wife and two
email children, arrived in Grand Rapids
from Holland, three months ago, and
rented house at No. liz Fourth-ave-
the husband secured work and the
family were on the road 10 prosperity.
Last night the father came home from
his labor as usual. The evening meal
had been prepared by the mother, and
clustered around the table, tho parents
and their children enjoyed . hearty
supper, happy in the knowledge that
they were under the protection of the
stars and stripes instead of being SUBJ
jects of the Netherlands. The repast
over, JOHNNIE, the oldest child COM
planned of feeling sleepy. His mother
carried him up stairs, put him to bed
and carefully tucked the clothes around
him. The little fellow was afraid to
remain alone IN the dark, so the indul-
gent mother left lighted lamp in the
room. She then descended and busted
herself finwashing d shes and doing other
work. Mr.. DeHaan sat near by smok-
ing his pipe. No thought OF danger en-
tered either of their minds-content-
ment reigned supreme. Suddenly Mrs.
DeHann turned her head in alarm.
A cracking noise, as if something was
burning was distinctly borne to her
ears. Simultaneous with the hearing
of this sound . volume of smoke burst
into the room.
The House on Fire
The first thought Of the mother was
the sleeping baby boy.
She rushed for the stairway, but was
met by flash Of scorching flames and
she was driven back. The father, real
ning the danger which threat
ened his little son, made
y wild dash into the writhing blaze,
which. with every minute. was incress-
ing IN its fury. He, too, was forced to
retreat.
Mrs. DeHaan ran into the back yard,
uttering piercing screams at every step.
Her cries attracted the attention of the
neighbors. A man standing across the
street ran TO the corner of Third-st. and
Grandville-ave: aud turned in the
alarm. Tom Burns, living near by,
jumped over the back yard fence. Mrs.
DefIaau WAS rolling on the ground, cry
ing, "My child. my child! someone
save my boy" in the Holland language.
Mr. Burns bravely made an attempt to
ascend the stairs, but the fire had
burned away the supports, so that when
he stepped upon them they gave way.
He barely escaped with his life, his
hands and face being bIistered severely.
Peter Pipe, living next door, tried to
gam an entrance through the front
door. but his daughter threw her arms
about bis neck aud begged HIM to de-
sist.
Mr.. DeHasn frantically ran hither
and thither in search of . ladder.
The fire quadruppled in its intensity.
The house was one seething mass OF
flames, and forked tongues of FIRE
dashed out from every window.
The fire department finally arrived
The first thing the tiremen heard was
the horrifying fact that . child was
being burned alive. Their movements.
if possible. we're quickened. A ladder
was placed first at one window and
then another. At last the right one
was ascertained. A stream of water
was turned into the room aud when the
blaze had been slightly subcued, Capt.
Kerwin. Of No. 8, entered with . lamp.
a Dead Child Found.
No extended search was necessary.
A sight in the corner OF the chamber
caused . momentary fsIntness to over.
come him. He turned his face away
and tired to shut out the awful vision.
Roasted TO . crisp, standing erect in
The cvrner, Just back of the bed, with
its face against the wall, its arms up
raised, hands eIasped to the sde of its
head, and bralns oozing out upon the
floor. Was all that was left Of little
Johnnie DeHsan. Noticing that the
flames we're creeping toward him. the
sturdy captain picked up the remains
The flesh ssistered his hands and crack.
al A ne touched it. He carried
the body ous and across the street 70
the residence of Peter vetting where il
was placed upon the floor and . news
paper spread over ID. Coroner Peuvar-
den was notified. who viewed the corpse
ard turned il over to Joldersms Bros
the esrandvilIe-ave. undertskerA The
fire was Put out after it had completely
sssted the house and sntAiled los Of
$500.
Thechild had evidently clinsoed from
the bed and tried 10 dnd 10 Say 70 shf