The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-21
FIVE NEW-MADE GRAVES
The Family which Was KILLED by Light
ming laid Tenderly 60 Rest-An Ac-
count of the Ceremonies.

Just as the soft twilight Of summers
dav stole over Oakwood yesterday there
WAS enacted scene full of sorrow and
ilnpressiveuess, for all that was mortal of
Dale Emmett. his wife and their three
children WAS lowered to its last resting
place In mother earth. They were instantly
killed by lightning on Tuesday night at
their home on Nicholson street. just outside
Of the corporate limits.
Hundreds Of curiously- people
looked upon the remains at Biliups' under
taking establishment yesterday. The rooms
are under the 81. Charles Hotel and the
pavement IN front of the place WAS filled
during the forenoon by groups Of men and
women. The night previously Mr.. Blllups
removed the bodies from the burned home
on Nicholson street. and they were kept IN
his establishment during the night larry
in the morning they were shrouded and
placed IN the caskets and by o clock persons
spilled for permission 10 view the remains.
Officer Huntington. Of the First station.
stood at the door TO prevent a crush among
the hundred or two people and ne 0nly
permitted a few 70 enter al "A time. 1hey
silently looked upon the dsrkened faces
aud passed out. only 70 make room FOR
others. There were old and young people,
white and colored, among the visitors and
the greater portion ot-them were from the
lower walks OF life.
Expressions of genuine sorrow tremb-
lingly came from every lip. and tho sad
sight drew many tear from the eyes OF
those who looked upon 1t.
sTBEwED FLOWERS.
During the morning lsdy came in with
bunch of lovely flowers which che strow-
ed upon the caskets. She would not give
her name, but said she did not know the
deceased ones. Her action was prompted
only by that sympathy that makes the
world akin
While the continuous line of people
piled in and out Of the front portion Of
the establishment an inquest was held IN
q rear room as 10 how the dead had met
their deaths Squire Barney Frischkorn
acted as coroner, and he was assisted by
Commemorative Attorney Sands and Dr.
Charles H. Chalkley.
Mr. W b. Christian was the most impor-
tant witness who testified He IS painter
and q runner for Engine Company NO. 3.
He stated that upon hearing the alarm OF
FIRE. and running 10 Blr Emmetts house.
be saw the corner Of no root ID blaze. lie
was first to enter the room where the
dead were. They were sleeping on the sec
ond floor of the residence
While he was attempting 10 get through
window Mir. Charles ii. DAVIS came up
the staircase went 20 the bed and lifted
Mrs. Emmett out towards the window:
Davis. however. was overcome Dy neat anu
had 10 retire Dir. Christian then entered
the room and aided in removing the bodies.
When he caught hold of Mrs. Emmetts
arm the skin peeled off, and all OF the
bodies were so hot that IL was almost i'm
possible 20 handle them.
THE CHILDREN.
The Oldest of the children was lying on q
pallet and was most severely burned. The
pallet was near the chimney and was only
few feet from heater in the room. The
heater had no pipe 10 it, and apparently had
not been used recently. Mr. Christian saw
no FIRE in the room. and only the roof was
burning near the chimney. He was positive
that all were dead before they were re-
moved from the room.
Mr.. Billups. Sr., who superlntended the
shrouding of the bodies said that when he
took charge Of the remains the bodies were
not cold. but the lower extremities were.
The bodies were soon considerably swollen,
and they were more swollen this morning
than last night. The feet were much con-
tracted. especially those OF the chlld VINO
was on the pallet.
AsIEEp WHEN KILLED.
Mr.. Billups said the eyelids were all closed.
He supposed all were asleep when death
came Blood was oozlng from the top OF
the head OF the boy who was taken from
the pallet. This child's night-clothing was
burned of. but that on the other bodies was
only slightly scOrched.
The witnesses all saw about $3.50 o'clock a
severe flash of lightning, followed lmme-
dately by terrific peal OF thunder. II
was fifteen 20 twenty minutes later that
bIr. Emmetts house was observed 10 be on
fire. One person was of the opinion that a
tree in Mr.. Emmetts ward was struck by
lightning. Several observed a hole IN the
roof Of the house about eighteen inches 10
diameter The fire was extlngulsbed very
quickly. and only q portion OF the rooi 10
the main building and some OF the shed
roof were burned. .
The members of the Jury did not think il
necessary 10 have p0st-mOrtem maze.
Upon the testimony Of Mr. Christian they
were satisfied as 10 the cause Of death.
Dr. Chalkey when asked for his views
said that he had not examined the bodies.
From what be had learned the people were
killed by lightning His theory was that
tho fluid came down the chimney, was at
tracted by the heater 10 the boy on the
pallet and thence 20 the sleepers III the
beds.
THE VERDICT.
II took the Jury but few moments to
prepare the verdict. which was that the hYe
persons had died from the effects OF light
ming. The names and ages of the dead are
Is follows Dale Emmett, thirty-one years
Alice Emmett. thirty-two; Lille Emmett
six Norman Emmett three, aud the seven
months'-old infant, not named
About O'CLOCK as the hour approacheu
for the funeral the crowds about the doors
of Billups' establishment became dense
one. and on the opposite side OF the street
nearly two hundred people gathered. 20
lcemen kept the pavements partially clear
aud only members Of the Junior order
United American Mechanics and the I'm
proved Order of Red Men, OF which MT.
Emmett was a member, were allowed to enter
the undertakers place.
The caskets of father and mother were
covered with black cloth, q silver plate.
AT Rest" being on each. On the father ,
coffin had been placed u beautiful pillow OF
white flowers. in which were the words.
"Our Councillor" in purple immorteliss.
The pillow was sent by the Mechanics. and
the reeala Of that order. worn by
Mr.. Emmett. surrounded the pillow.
Another beautiful floral tribute on the
casket was wigwam OF flowers,
which rested on the regalia OF the Red
Men. In immortelles were the letters T.
J. and G. " meaning friendship, freedom
and charity. The flowers were sent by the
Reds Men lodge.
THE MOTHERS CAsKET.
A lovely bunch of white flowers lay on
the mothers casket and soit-tinted flowers
beda place on the white collins OF the
children The silver plate our Daring
was on each of the white caskets. on tne
fafher's cof,n xvas attached "A furied United