Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-16
MOTHER is
A HEROINE
COMBATS FIRE TO SAVE
CHILDREN
MEN STAND DlSMAYED WHILE
WOMAN WORKS
Prevents Explosion of Oil Tank Which
Might Have Carried Death and
Destruction in Its
Wake

Rare presence of mind on the part
of a woman prevented an explosion
which might have resulted in the loss
| of a number of lives and the destruc-
| tion of much property late yesterday
afternoon.
The heroine of the affair is Mrs. W.
f. Berton of 1908 East Fourth street
Among her neighbors and friends she
Is known principally on account of her
sweet disposition and quiet manners.
She has never been looked upon as one
who would display bravery in the face
of danger, yet her actions yesterday
are such that even the most noted
heroines of history might envy her.
Mr.. and Mrs Berton with their g.
year -old son Frank and baby boy oc-
cupy apartments in the Salt Lake hotel
at 1908 East Fourth street.
Recently William r. Man!on. the
owner of the property, purchased Il
forty-gallon tank of kerosene for use
in his store. While driving through
the yard last Saturday driver accl-
dentally turned the stop cock on the
tank. and before it was noticed the Oil
ran from the tank and spread over the
yard and over piles of hay which were
stored there.
new tank containing forty gallons
of kerosene and a second one containing
fifty-two gallos of gasoline were then
placed in the yard. These tanks stood
on wooden piles, raised several feet
from the ground.
Finds Firecracker
Yesterday afternoon Frank, son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Berton, was playing in
the yard short distance from the
tanks. While running about the yard
the boy found an unexploded fire
cracker. Joyously picking it up the
little fellow ran into the house where
without his mothers knowledge, he
found a number of matches.
Returning to the yard and little
dreaming of the danger of his action
Frank lighted the firecracker and
threw it on the ground.
At once flames started and In rev
minutes the yard was filled with
fierce fire of burning oil, which speo
toward the filled tanks.
With a cry which awoke the echoes
and caused neighbors to spring to their
windows, the boy bounded toward the
house, but before he could reach it his
mother dropped the baby she was
nursing and sprang into the yard.
Woman Is Heroine
Quickly grasping pail of water
which stood near, the DraVe WoLldh
dashed it over the timber supports OF
the tanks. Then turning with quick
movements she scooped up pail after
pail of sand which she scattered over
the supports and lower parts OF the
tanks. at the same time calling out
commands to the men who had gath
cred to get pals and assist her.
Within a few minutes the free which
might have had such disastrous results
was under control and then cheer fol-
lowed cheer for Mrs. Berton as the lit
tie woman clasped her boy to her
breast in a feeling of gratitude that he
had not been injured.
"I have never seen a braver action
in my life" said Mr.. Manion last night
while we stood in horror gazing at
the fire Mrs. Berton's quick mind
grasped what was needed and by her
heroic actions she showed us the way
to prevent our homes and property
from being destroyed.
Had she hesitated for a single min
ute it would have been too late. After
the fire we investigated and found that
the flames had eaten their way to the
very bottom of the tanks"