Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-12
PERISH In THE BLAZE
The Two Little Girls Of Hr. Walker
Burned With Ills House.
LEFT ALONE FOR A SHORT WHILE.
The Mother Returning from Near
By Neighbor's Was Horrined 20
Find Her Home ON Fire and Her
Children within-Manchester News.

ty occurred Tuesday evening shortly
after o'clock, when the dwelling Of
Mr.. George Walker was reduced to ashes
and his two little children were burned
to death.
The sad affair took place about quar-
ter OF a mile from Swansboro'. In the
Butler Addition, between the home OF
Mr. Henry Harnish and the new road.
Neither of the parents were at home
when the fire started. the father having
left with his team to haul load OF wood
to Richmond about ten minutes previous,
and the mother being at neighbor' $
home. where she had gone to get some
medicine for her youngest child. Upon
being told that the house was on fire the
mother ran with all possible speed to the
fast-burning house, and had to be held
to prevent her life from being also de-
stroyed in her efforts 10 save her two
burning children. AS 1t was, she was
badly burnt about the face and arms
in her frantic attempts. The father
arrived on the scene after all was liz
ashes, and could hardly believe his eyes.
The brave man burst into bitter tears
over the narrowing spectacle which con-
fronted his eyes.
THEIR ONLY CHILDREN.
These children-Lily. aged years. and
Roberta, aged months-were the only
children OF the hapless father and mo-
Their, they having lost their only other
child only few months ago. From the
positions In which the bodies of the chill
dren were found. it Is the natural con-
clusion that the older child, when 1t dis
covered that the house was burning.
made an attempt to save her infant Sis
or, when becoming overwhelmed by the
heat and smoke, crawled underneath the
bed, where 1t was found burned to
crisp. The baby was found as 1t was
left, wrapped up in a blanket and lying
on the bed. Only it's face was badly
burned, the blanket having saved the
other portion of its body.
The neighbors, who had gathered,
worked hard to extlnguish the flames,
and TO at least save the perishing chill
dren, but the fire had gained too much
Roadway, and all attempts to either enter
the house or put out the fire with the
very limited means at hand were in
vain.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated from the stove-pipe
in the kitchen which passed through the
roof. The house was newly completed,
and contained four rooms. Mr.. Walker
had just finished paying for his home,
and had it insured until about three
weeks ago. when the policy ran out, and,
owing to limited circumstances and re-
cent expenses he did not renew the in
surance
he .af
ceived by the father for the load of wood
which he was hauling when his house
was being burned, Mr.. Walker was left
penniless, as well as without home or
family, save his loving wife.
Great sympathy and kindness has. how
ever, thrown rays OF sunshine on the
gloomy situation, as already good sum
has been received by different subscrip-
tion-lists in Manchester and In Richmond.
The Dispatch will receive any amounts
left at its Office for the benefit OF the
distressed husband and wife.
At a meeting of Liberty Council, No.
3. j. o. u. A. NJ, last night $l5 was
raised towards defraying the expenses
occurring by this unfortunate disaster.
Mr. Walker was not member OF this
order, but resolutions of sympathy were
drawn up by the members expressing
The Belle-Isle workmen gave S25 in cash
10 the cause, and many other liberal
contributions have been received.
FUNERAL OF THE CHILDREN.
The funeral of the two little children
took place yesterday afternoon from
neighbor's residence. and the bodies were
buried together in the old family-burying-
ground, near where the house stood. The
bereayed parents were put TO no expense
by the burial ceremonies, which was
cheerfully borne by their friends.
Messrs. Toller & Son furnished the
coffin and box, and Undertaken Norris
sett conducted the funeral. Many friends
turned ont in the stormy weather to pay
their tributes Of grief to the little ones.
IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY.
The County Court OF Chesterfitld IL
still in session, but so far very little
has been done. Jacob Alexander was
convicted of perjury Tuesday. having
sworn out n warrant falsely in Swans
boro' last fall, accusing others Of steal
ing his chickens. when he had none to
be stolen. Mr.. w. Hay Garnett defend
ed the prisoner, who was fined so and
sent to Jail for thirty days. Captain A.
G.. Attkisson assisted Commemorative
Attorney Phil. Cogbill in the prosecu-
ton.
A commission Of lunacy has been or
dered for James Dickinson, the negro
who is charged with breaking into the
tool-chest of Contractor Peter Donald,
and had been sent on to the grand jury.
Several days ago the sparks from an
engine on the Farmville and Powhatan
railroad set fire TO a forest owned by
Mr.. l.. Wells. near Chesterfield Court
house and about one hundred acres or
timber was destroyed. The fire also
consumed about 600 panels OF Fencing.
The dwelling was narrowly saved,
and IL Is almost miracle that more
damage was not accomplished by the
flames, whichs were most angry at times.
The negro Coleman, who was so badly
cut in the stomach several weeks ago
with a razor ventured out few days
ago. and lies now in very serious con-
dition, resulting from taking cold In the
injured parts. Inflammation set In, and
the stitches formerly taken by the doc
tor have been severed Ky the swollen
skin.
The lecture delivered by Mr.. ID. l.. Pull
liam last night at de-Mcmorial
church proved equally as enjoyable as
his former successes. His subject last
night was "The Prosperity OF the Anglo
Saxon Church." The lecture embraced
a hundred years of peace and prosperity.
which was enjoyed at that time.
NEWSY ITEMS.
A marriage license was issued in the
Clerks Office of the Hastings Court yes
terday morning to Mr.. Claude S. SUIT
ton and Miss Lille May Crostic. who
were married last night
The City Central Democratic Commit
tee will hold a meeting In the Office OF
the chairman Mr. Ernest III. Wells,