Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-07
HORRIBLE DEATH
Mrs. F. W. Dickins the Victim Of a
Gasoline Explosion.
BODY BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION
Force of Explosion Blows Out
Front of Residence.
TWO WORKMEN INJURED

renee at his office in the Navy department,
he being the second officer in the bureau of
navigation.
Mrs. Dickins was in the third story of the
family residence, 1894 10Th street north
west. using a quantity of gasoline in clean
ing rugs and other articles of household
goods stored there. Two plumbers. Joseph
Vaughan and his assistant, had been work
ing on the roof repairing water spouting.
Having finished their labors they entered
the room where Mrs. Dickins employ
ed, carrying between them a naphtha blow
furnace, commonly used by timers
Vaughan detected the fumes of gasoline
when he first entered the place. A quanf-
ty of the fluid. which he mistook for water,
covered the floor. The Vapor strong
that Vaughan uttered cry of warning to
his assistant but it was too late. terrific,
binding explosion occurred at that instant,
the force of which blew out the front wall
of the third story.
The entire store room was soon a mass of
roaring flames. Vaughan was knocked
down, his assistant barely escaping, he be-
ing blown out of the aperture made IN the
front wall. When Vaughan recovered his
senses he saw through the smoke the blaz-
Ing ngure or woman prone upon the floor
Ealiantly he fought his way through the
flames to where she lay and tried to assist
her from what now a veritable fur
mace. He dragged her to the door leading
down stairs. Her body seemed entirely life
less, however, and it seemed useless to
make further effort Vaughan continued at
his task. however. until at last after being
burned badly, but not dangerously, about
the face and hands, he was compelled to
flee for his life The force of the explosion
was upon Mrs. Dickins, the can of gasoline
blowing up almost at her elbow.
Fire Alarm Sounded
AT 1915 o'clock an alarm of fire sounded
from box 326. located at the corner of Goth
and n streets. Truck was first upon the
scene. Flames at this time were leaping
out from the great hole made by the explo-
sion. The firemen attempted to enter, but
We're driven back by the fierce fire which
was raging in the upper story. Engine COM
panieS /, and >. and Second Assistant
Chief ]. D. kurtz were soon on the ground.
Several streams of water We're played upon
the fire from beneath, and it was not diff
cult to handle In very few minutes a
squad of iremen made their way into the
room where the explosion occurred
Tenderly they lifted and brought to the
parlOr below the body of Mrs Dickins.
which was burned into an almost unrecog-
n1Zable mass of charred and blackened
flesh few moments later the remains
were borne into the residence of DIR. Will
liam S. Dixon of the navy, who lived next
door, at 1886 10Th street. DR.. Dixon was
present, but his services were not needed.
1t was not known at first that the BODY
was that of Mrs. Dickins as the timers
rad not recognized her as she sat at work
II was soon identified by neighbors how
ever, from the bits of clothing that re-
mained. and by a servant who knew that
Mrs. Dickins had gone to the third floor to
do some cleaning work in the front store
room.
A messenger was al once dispatched for
Capt Dickins who was found at his Office
in the Navy Department. Without appriS-
ing the officer of the terrible fatality which
rad come upon his household. he was hur-
ried home in carriage. Arriving upon the
scene and viewing the wreckage. a single
glance was sufficient to justify his worst
fears. In entering the house he nearly fell,
but was supported by his messenger. Capt.
Dickins was well-nign overpoWered with
grief. which came upon him with a sudden
ness that added to the pain of bereavement.
Hesrepaired to DIR. Dixon's home, and there
remained throughout the morning.
Expression of Sympathy.
There was a spontaneous outburst of
sympathy in the neighborhOod, which is
largely made up of naval officers and FAM
lies among whom Mrs. Dickins had been
most popular. She was in fact, leader in
the naval set of the national capital. The
Dickins home is just in the rear of the
British embassy. and is not far from Du-
pont Circle. 1t is a three-story brick resi-
dence, and is owned by Capt D.chins, he
having long resided here. Mrs. Dickins had
lived in this city for quite long while, re-
naming here while her husband was absent
on sea duty.
Joseph Vaughan, the plumber who
so badly burned in the explosion. and who
nade subsequent attempt to rescue Mrs.
Dickins. was taken to the Emergency Hos
pital in the police ambulance His wounds
were dressed and he was taken to his
home, on FoXhall road near Georgetown.
His assistant escaped without material in
jury. While Vaughans burns very
painful, and extend over all of his head,
and from his hands to his elbows, they
not serious. AT the hospital he told the
story of the dcporable accident, the facts
of which are related above.
Vaughan is a young man, twenty-five
gAfl IL nf.lyi iforr
tacle in the bandages which inclosed all of
his head and face, with the exception
of eyes and nose. He spoke with difficulty,
and seemed very much depressed over the
unwilling part he had played in the dire oc-
currence of the morning. The story of his
heroic efforts to save Mrs. Dickins had to
be drawn from him.
Experiences the Shock.
Dr. Dixon. who resides next door, and is
an intimate friend of Capt Dickins, a fell
low-officer, was sitting in his study on the
second floor of his residence, when the ex-
Dlosion occurred.
The shock was most pronounced" said
DR.. Dixon, in speaking of the tragic affair
II ran to the back window, thinking at first
that scaffolding on which some painters
had been working had fallen. This was
only a first impression, however, as / soon
realized that such an accident would not
have so Jared the house. I then looked out
of the front window, and saw what a dread
fu thing had occurred. Mrs. Dickins was
beyond all help when the body was rescued
She must have died instantly"
The force of the explosion was terrific.
Bricks from the front wall were sent fly
| ing in all directions, and the entire front OF
| the third story was blown out. The stone
steps leading into the residence were shat
tered and split
I In the third floor, where Mrs. Dickins
was working, were stored many articles or
household furniture. There were carpets
| and bedding. books and bric-a-brac. The
| rear room used as an extra bed room.
| The third floor was a mass of wreckage.
| The damage to the house is considerable.
| the first and second floors having been
| flooded from the water which flowed down
| the stairway in torrents. No arrangements
| for the funeral have been made as yet
| Mrs. Dickins woman about forty
| years of age. She had no children. She
Il ai.o.. IL