Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-11-16
A Horrible Accident by Fire.

The terrible news Of the burning of two
little FIVE year old boys in q barn at
Timberville, ON Thursday, of last week,
caused feeling of widespread sympathy
throughout this section. We give the
following particulars from the last New
Market Talley:
AT about 2i o'clock this Thursday,
November 81 afternoon, the barn of d.
Nj. Beam, Esq, at Timberville, Va, was
along with his little son Shakman, and
little Owen Floyd Bennett, playmate
and cousin of Shakman and son Of Mr..
Newman Bennett, of Timberville, con-
sumed by fire. The particulars of this
horrible calamity are, as near as we can
give them, as follows:
The fire originated in a small shed or
stable that stood quito near the southern
end of the barn, and is supposed to have
been kindled by the children using
matches. Mrs. John J. Fahrney first
discovered the fire, and called to her hus-
band who was at the shop. He FASTENED
to the spot, and found that few feet in
circumference had already been burned
over. With nothing in hand but small
piece of board his efforts to put it out
were in vain, and being forced out of the
building by fire and smoke, and no help
having come, he ran for water, but when
help came and he returned, it was too
late. Unfortunately, Mr.. Fahrrey did
not know that the children were in the
building, or he could have rescued them.
From their position when found after the
fire, it is quite reasonable to suppose that
upon seeing or hearing someone coming
they placed themselves at the south end
of the shed. where were q trough and
some hay or straw, In which they con-
cealed themselves, keeping perfectly quiet
for the time. But later on when it be-
came evident that the poor children were
in the buildlng,-Mr. Bennett with one or
two others made several desperate efforts
to rescue his unfortunate child, bat was
repulsed by the angry flames. This little
shed was planked up all around-with
door on the western corner, so it will be
seen their egress was at once made i'm
possible by the fiery aend coming be-
tween them and the door. When the fiery
monster had done his work. the two chill
dren were lying side by side, in the fiery
embrace of death-the one on its back
the other slightly turned upon its left
side. Their flesh and homes that remain
ed were crisp and crumbling-being
beyond all recognition. save that they
were human skeletons of two sweet.
bright, beautiful, happy little boys an
hour or two before. But for a button |
being found on the body of the one, it
would have been difficult 10 distinguish |
the one from the other.
About six tons of hay, buggy rake,
hay fork, and perhaps a few other ar
ticles, besides fencing, &C., were burned |
some OF which belonged to Mr.. Saml. |
Pence. Total loss of property is estlmat- |
ed at about $500. No insurance.
We are sorry to say that it seems these
poor little fellows had maniS for
matches, having had on several previous
occasions kindled fires, we are informed.
Let this be another sad warning to par
ents and Others, to guard children from
having access to matches or other COM
bustible matter. Loss of property..is hard
to endure, but it can be replaced. Loss
Of life harder, hardest, it can never be
replaced in this life. But these little
darlings, we hope, have taken the ferns
of dear little angels, and have gone to
the haven of eternal bliss. The whole
community is in sadness and the deepest
sympathy for the parents prevails"