The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-06
BURNED TO DEATH
IN THEIR HOME
Mr.. John WesteffeIt, Wife and Daugh-.
ter Perish by Flames.
YOUNG BOY ALONE ESCAPES.
Horrible Catastrophe in Henrico Near
the City Ilssaits-House and Barn
Destroyed Supposed to Have
Caught From Fire Place.
YOUNG BOY ALONE ESCAPES.

A horrible catastrophe occurred in Hen
rico county, about seven miles from the
city, Yesterday about a. NJ, when Mr..
John Wcsterfelt, his wife and daughter
were burned to death by the flames which
consumed their home, and their bodies
were buried under the smoking ruins.
The fire broke out shortly before
o'clock and in a very few moments the
dwelling house, barn and several out
houses were in ashes and beneath the
smoking e1nbers lay the charred remains
of an entire family. with the exception OF
one little boy, who alone almost mtracu-
lousy escaped.
The home of Mr.. Westerfelt was situa-
ted about seven or eight miles from
,, Richmond, on Chaffin's Bluff, and was an
Old two-story building, in fact. a veri-
table death trap as it proved, as the sec
ond story was reached only by long.
winding stairway which had a door at
the lower end. The building was old,
and had been given to Mr.. Westerfelt by
his father.
Close in the rear stood the barn. In
which was the stable.
MIR. NJ L. West. neighbor of MIR. West
erfelt and an intimate friend OF the fam
lily, was notified of the awful accident.
early yesterday morning by a loud knock
ing at the front door, and on opening 1t
he saw the twelve-year-old boy of Mr..
Westerfelt's standing there in his night
clothes.
The boy told Mr. West that his home
had been burned and he could find none
of his family. Mr.. West at once dressed
himself, and got upon the boys horse
and FASTENED to the ruins. When he arrived
the dwelling and barn were but smoking
piles and nothing could be seen OF the
occupants.
BODIES RECOVERED.
After few moments others arrived
and by their united efforts they succeeded
in locating and dragging out the burned
bodies of three persons, which were lying
close to each other.
These were the remains Of the father,
mother and daughter.
The other horse of Mr.. Westerfelt was
found tied in the bushes, not far away.
Very few of the details could be gath
cred from the excited lips OF the boy He
said that early yesterday morning he was
awakene by his mother calling to his
father and saying:
.'John,z the house IS on fire. What shall
we do" His father. replied save every yer
thing
He Immediately jumped out of the bed
and ran down stairs and to the barn
which mad not taken fire. led out the
horses and tied them to the fence about
tjft,- yards distant. He returned to the
house, but was pa1ic-stricken TO see the
house and barn fiat and completely des-
troyed. He called for his father and moth
er, thinking they had escaped. but recelV-
! ed no answer.
He returned to the horses, and. mounting
one of them sped away to the nearest
neighbor. Mr.. West.
Mr., Westerfelt was doing o good busi-
ness as farmer, and although poor ne
owed but few debts and was highly respec.
ted by the entire community. lie was OIL
ginally from New Jersey. but had lived II,
Florida. prior to his coming to this State.
and had been resident Of Virginia
about five years. 4.
His father and brother still live IN
New Jersey He was a man OF about
middle age and had been given the farm
by his father. who also gave the farm IN
New Jersey to his brother ana the soid
gentlemen spent this time between the
two places and had just left Henrico
for the home Of his other son about
week ago.
INQUEST TO-DAY.
Mr.. West Photographed to Mr.. Wester-.
felt's brother yesterday morning, and ne
Is expected to arrive to-day.
The little boy, the sole survivor OF e e1e
stricken family. will remain at the nome
of Mr. West until his uncle arrives ana
makes other arrangements
~ It is thought that the Enre Stdrteu tiotn
the open fireplace In one of the downstairs
rooms, in which a fire was kept burn
Ing all night. On retiring Mr.. Westerfett
had put On a heavy log to last through the
night and either this rolled out OF Its
place or spark set fire to the carpet It
IS also thought that the fire had consumed
the silIs to the upper floor, and when the
family sprang from their bed they broke
Il rough the frail boards
Squire Robert c. Friend Will hold an IN
Quest over the remains this morning.