Amador ledger., 1905-12-29
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
An Aged Couple Burned to Death All
Amad0r on Christmas Eve.

One of the most terrible caIam1ties
that ever happened in the county
occurred at Amador City on Christ
mas eve. Henry Williams, aged 80
and his wife Elizabeth, 76, occupl-
ed small dwelling of two rooms in
the rear of Chichizola's store. They
lived alone. and in their advanced
age we're supported mainly by their
relatives in Jackson. They usually
retired to rest between and O'Clock.
1t may be that being a festive time,
and having received a number OF
Christmas presents from their re-
latives and friends, they delayed
going to bed longer than usual on
this fateful night-theirllast on earth.
They had been inviting neighbors
during the day to come and see the
nice things their children had sent
them. The night was a bitter cold
one, and probably the old couple had
piled on the yuletide logs a little
more literally than usual, and there
| by brought on their own destruction.
Neighbors passing the place early in
the evening say they detected the
odoI of smoke and smoldering tim
bers. One person is reported to have
heard a woman's voice crying for help
to put out the fire. These circum-
stances are recalled now when the
dreadful facts are known. They
passed unnoticed at the time, in the
noise and hustle of Christmas rejoic.
ing. Shortly after ten a Iurid glare
attracted attention to the vicinity of
the Williams home. 1t was found
to be in flames. The sleeping room
was visited by those first at the fire,
and the bed being empty. it was con-
cIuded tnat the pair had either escap-
ed or we're away from home. Indeed
it was reported as the flames were
licking up the building and the life
| blood of the occupants, that they we're
away at Jackson spending Christmas
with their married daughter. After
the home was reduced to ashes this
was the theory entertained, until Mr..
Ham bly,, on his way home about half
an hour after the fire had done its
work, discovered the charred bodies
of the victims in the smoldering
debris.
The bodies were found where the
kitchen, stood, and the posture of the
victims told pititul tale of heroic
devotion and struggle for life. Mrs
Williams was in STOPPING position on
her hands and knees. Her husband
was STOPPING over her. Evidently,
they had attempted to escape by the
kitchen door. In the effort the old
lady, overcome by smoke and ex-
ertion, had fallen helpless. Her hus-
band, true to the last, reached with
both arms to carry her to safety, and
was himself overcome and sutfocated.
the remains we're burned beyond re-
cognition. For over fifty years they
had travelled life's pathway together,
and in death we're not divided. The
cat-the only domestic animal and
pet of the old pair shared in the
sad fate Its remains lay close beside
the two human bodies. Mrs Williams
had her corset on when she fell to her
death. Some think that perhaps they
had not yet retired when they dis
covered the fire. On the other hand
it may be that she attempted to put
on some clothing when aroused to
realization of danger. The rings that
she wore we're found near where the
bedstead stood. She was in the habit
of taking them from her hands on re-
tiring for the night, and John Mite
hell her SON. in law, picked them from
the debris the following day.
Chas Savage noticed the fire about
twenty minutes after ten O'Clock, and
ran to the scene. He found the bed
room door opened and the kitchen
door locked. He knew the inmates
were there when the fire started, as
they rarely went away from home, and
never at such a late hour.
John Pierce and Farley Phipps, who
arrived on the scene soon after the
discovery of the fire, broke in the
bedroom door, and got as far as the
other door, when they we're driven
back by the volume of smoke. They
did not see either of the old folks,
but the bed was disarranged. showing
that they had occupied it, and had
evidently endeavored to escape. They
took out the bedding, and as the bed
was vacant they concluded the occup-
ants had made good their escape.
E. H. Godat was the first to reach
fire, in company with Sam Walker
| and Mr. Canepa. He pushed open a
window of the bedroom, and saw the
bedclothes therein, as if thrown aside
hastily, as though the bed had beer
recently occupied. But no one saw
or heard the victims after the dis
covely of the fire until their charred
remains were found in the ruins after
the flames had subsidized.
The following persons constituted
the jury at the inquest held on the
morning of the 25th: H. F. Coster,
Geo j. Tucker, E. A. Cook, John
Hagerman, f. M. Bryant and Frank
johnson. Not the least light was