Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-12
AN AWFUL AFFAIR.
The Sad Fate Of Miss Helen
McC0mas.
Another Added to the Many
Gasoline Stove Horrors.
A Heartrending Accident Yester-
day at Boyle Heights.
"A Young Woman Who Was Social
Favorite Fatally Burned-De-
tails of the Sad
Affair.

Deep gloom was cast over Boyle
Heights early yesterday afternoon when
it became known that Helen McComas,
the eldest daughter OF Judge and Mrs.
McComas, OF 1926 Pennsylvania avenue,
had probably been fatally burnt owing
to the explosion of patent gasoline
stove. The young lady, who is about
IS, started to prepare little lunch. A
moment later an explosion was heard
and the rear part of the house was seen
to be in flames. The fire department
responded with alacrity, but the blaze
was put out before the engines arrived.
1t was several minutes before it be-
came generally known that the damage
was more serious than if the house had
been entirely destroyed. Mrs. Nc
Comas, the agonized mother, and a
young man named Leonard, who lives
opposite, made the awful discovery that
Helen McComas was in the kitchen,
her clothes in flames. The poor girl was
carried out into the yard and covered
with blankets. The clothes were burnt off
fire. An attempt was made to carry
her into her room, but Leonard could
only carry her as far as the dining-roo
and she lay on the floor, while Drs.
Campbell, Harris and Barber did all
they could for the suffering young
woman. All the usual remedies were
applied. The neighbors gathered around
and did all they could for the family.
The sad news spread with great ra-
pidity.
A messenger was sent to the district
attorneys Office for Judge McComas,
and he arrived home Just about one
hour after the deplorable accident.
His daughter was still conscious, and
although the judge never spoke word,
Helen knew he was in the room, al
though the cruel flames had blinded
her. She was conscious and spoke to
her mother in monosyllables as she
leaned over her beloved child.
1t was my fault" said the young
woman. II was in hurry, and |
poured the oil into the tank with the
burner lit.''
Many of the ladies present and even
some Of the men turned aside to shed
tear as they looked at the terribly in
ed, yet she heroically attended to Helen,
who was suffering the greatest agony.
The doctors shook their heads when
asked whether there was any hope.
The poor girls face was burned in some
parts almost to crisp, while her body
was burned more or less from head to
foot.
Miss McComas was one of the most
charming and bright young ladies in
Los Angeles. She was general favor
ite on account of her amiable and sweet
disposition, and the news OF the unfor-
tunate accident will be read with uni
versal regret.
At O'Clock, just three hours after the
accident, the poor, suffering girl found
relief in death. She suffered only few
minutes after the accident, as the doc
tors relieved the pain by copious injec-
tions of morphine. She was conscious
until few moments before her death,
and constantly asked for water, which
was given her, drop by drop.
The family have the sympathy of a
large circle OF friends in their bereave-
ment. The body will be cremated. The
funeral will in all probability take place
on Wednesday.
Mr.. Leonard, who helped to carry the
young lady indoors, was slightly burned.