Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-10
SIXTH VICTIM OF THE FIRE
NrS Thomas oDsnisls succumbs TO Her
Injuries Thursday.
PLACE A HATEFUL ONE FOR THE FAMILY
First wife of o'DsnieIs and one child
killed There Number Of Years
Ago by stroke of
Lightning.

Mrs. Thomas o'Daniels died yesterday
morning at the South Omaha hospital as
the result OF burns received in the fire
which blotted out the lives of her five
children. The father. who IL was feared
at first would lose one or both Of his hands
as the result of his efforts to extinguish
the fire in the clothing Of his unfortunate
wife. is in better shape than was supposed
and II is now certain that both of the hands
will be saved.
The bodies OF four Of the children we're
recovered from the ruins yesterday fore
noon, but IL was not until well along toward
evening that what little remained Of the
youngest was recovered from the debris
They are now all at the undertaking rooms
Of G. H. Brewer in South Omaha and so
thoroughly consumed are they that all will
be buried in one coffin.
Mothers Body Beside Them,
Beside them lies the body of their mother,
who died at the South Omaha hospital at
SIS a. m. AL through the night she had
periods of consciousness during which her
only wish was for the welcome approach
OF death. After she became quiet she never
rallied but sank steadily to the end. Dur
ing the night the father and the uninjured
daughter. Ethel. were at her side The
FIRE did not touch the body OF the woman
above the waist, but to that point the burns
were extensive and deep over half the sur
face Of the body being affected. This fact
usually ends in death, but the terrible
shock of the loss of all her children would
doubtless have made less extensive burn
end fatally. Early in the morning the
father and daughter returned to the neigh
borhood, but had scarcely arrived when
they were recalled to the hospital. They
arrived just a few minutes after the end
came to the wife and mother. There was,
however no last moment of consciousness.
Thought OIL MIXED or Impure.
The accident which led to the fire was
due to the explosion Of kerosene, and 1t is
said that the family had never made use
OF gasoline. It Is thought possible the oil
was of impure grade or had been mixed
with gasoline in some way Mrs. ODaniels
was able to explain afterward that she
went to the closet where the oil was kent
TO hll a lamp and on striking a match
the explosion Immediately followed. Her
pain was SO sudden and so great that she
knew nothing until her husband rushed
into the blazing room and dragged her into
/ the yard. where he tore the burning gar
/ ments from her and beat out the
! flames with his hands. II was in this way
I he sustained his severe burns. His right
hand is most seriously injured. By the
/ time this was done the fire had cut on
I all approach to the stairway, which led
TO the rooms where the children were
| sleeping. Heighbors were the ground
within Ave minutes. Apparently the chill
! dren mover left their beds, for no face was
seen Mt the windows. With five gallons of
/ oil for a start, the house. remodeled from
the barn and composed of dry and fiimsy
lumber. went up like finder box.
Cruel Fate Follows Family.
Misfortune seems to have followed ODan-
iels more persistently than is the usual lot
Of man. His first wife and little son were
killed by lightning stroke, which led to the
burning Of DR.. Miller's old home seven
| years ago. Later a son was accidentally
/ shot This last fatality robbed him of four
children and his wife. The oldest girl lying
dead was a daughter of his wife by q
former marriage, the girls name being
! Lille Shaeffer. aged Is.
| Lille had not been we'll yesterday and
retired earlier than usual.
BY request of the father it has been de-
cided there will be no inquest. The case is
plainly a most deplorable one. Hundreds
of people interested or curious, visited the
undertaking rooms during the day TO catch
view of the charred embers. Many OF
the door had to be closed so that the body
OF Mrs. O'DanieIs might be embalmed.
DR.. w. j. McCrann, who waited on Mrs
O'DanieIs. said the grief attending the
death OF the family was among the most
pitiful cases Of his long experience. Mr.
O'Daniels, he said, was by nature very
quiet and easy going, always having his
faculties under control Knowing this, tbs
! neighbors appreciated his vain attempts &C
keep Arm hold of his feelings and reason
Though he did all brave man could, II
will be long before he can think calmly NJ
the circumstances, or wishing that hi
might have thrown himself into the flames
for his children's sake. Had there been thu
slightest chance of saving them he would
have done it.
/ DR. George L. Miller, owner Of Seymour
park and of the place where lived thu
! O'Daniels family, five of whom met deatf
by ire wednesday night, met Mr.. O'Daniel
and his only surviving son and daughter
Thursday morning. DR.. Miller Offered
assistance 10 Mr.. O'Daniels and asked th'
daughter to come and make her home will
him and his wife in Omaha. Miss o Daniel
thanked him fervently. but said she woul'
stay with her father.
Funerals This Afternoon.
The funerals will take place this after
/ noon at . o'clock instead OF Saturday, a.
preferred by the surviving members OF tn
stricken family. The reason for the earl!
funeral was the state of the children, upol
which no work Of embalming could be done
Dr. r. l. Wheeler will preach the funera
sermon. The burial will be in Greenwood
cemetery on Center street. The service
! will be held at the Brewer undertaking
parlOrs.
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