The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-28

Mrs. Mary McEachran, of 906 First
street, was so low last night that it was
deemed necessary TO administer TO her the
extreme JUNCTION which is the last rite of
her faith, for the living.
She was not expected 10 live till morn
ing. 1t was thought that if she could live
over night there would be some hope for
her life, but the indications were very I'M
favorable.
Yesterday morning Mary McEachran. as
good. faithful aud industrious woman as
ever lived, left her children at home and
with cheerful heart went to the home of
w. S. Norris TO work. Mrs. Norris, who
was at Chicago, was expected home last
night and Mrs McEachran desired to have
tue house in order for her. She had done
washing and other work for Mrs. Norris
for years and naturally took great Inter-
est in having the house in apple pie orde +
upon her arrival.
Mrs. McEachran was melting some
paraffine on a gasoline stove and while
doing so the stuff exploded and
splashed all over the clothing of
the poor woman until she was a
mass of flames She ran screaming
across the street to vacant lot and rolled
herself on the grass in an effort TO eXtiE-
guish the flames. Her terrific screams
alarmed the nefghborbood. The house be-
ing on fire the department was called out
and the boys did good work IN assisting
Mrs. NcEachran aud saving the building.
The injured lady was taken back into Mrs.
Norris and efterward TO her own home al
500 East First street. DIR. Bennett attend
ell to her and did everything possible. She
was badly burned about the hands and
rel I'm H,4h h. aI-r
and hips where her clothing Was tight
around her.
When a reporter for the EAGLE called
last night she was in great pain and
misery which she was enduring with ex-
traordinary patience
The EAGLE never appealed TO the hearts
of the kind ladies and gentlemen of Wichi-
u in vain, III behalf of person in real dis
tress. This is IA case where sympathy will
not be misplaced. Mary McEachran is the
mother of poor little wee baby 10 months
old notwithstanding which she has been
working and trudging day in aud day
out all through the summer. She has
husband. to be sure, but times have been
hard on poor people and it took all both
of them could make, and more too, to sup
port themselves. Mr.. Eachren is an honest
and industrious Scotchman and it is no
fault of his that they are poor. He works
when he eau get work, but that is not
often. Inc result was thaG many house
hold things had to be parted with to keep
the wolf from the door. Mrs. Eachren
has washed for many of the ladies of
Wichita and all of them will testify to the
fact that she is woman worthy of any
thing the people can do for her distressed
family
Yes" said the husband reluctantly,
'we are very poor, SIR" and the poor old
man cried like child, but we will be
much poorer if Mary goes from us | am
afraid she is going, and then what will
the poor little baby and our other child
do?" He sobbed aloud again, and then,
with the poor mans hope, answered, God
help them"
1t was not necessary to ask him if he
was poor. A glance about the house
showed that. 1t was completely destitute
of any comfort. 1t was fine, but appal-
ling, illustration Of the old saying that
one-half of the world don't know how
the other half lives. Yet it is all honest
poverty. Everybody vino knows the
family knows this. 1t is to be hoped that
the good ladies of Wichita will ascertain
what Is needed To bring comfort to that
distressed home and then supply it. II
will be bread cast upon the waters, and q
genuine and worthy act of charity.
Lster-A message has just been received
that Mrs. McEachran died from her in
lurles,