Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-11-26
D. A. De ARM0ND
AND GRANDSON
PERISH IN FIRE
ONE OF OLDEST DEMOCRATIC MEM
BERS OF CONGRESS DIES WHEN
HOME BURNS.
OTHERS IN FAMILY ESCAPE,
Bodies Are Recovered in Ruins of Resi-
dence, Lying Side by
Side
PROMINENT MEMBER OF HOUSE

KANSAS CITY, No, Nov. 23.-Rep-
resentative David A. De Almond, one
Of the oldest Democratic members OF
Congress, and his grandson, Waddie,
aged 8, were burned to death in a fire
that destroyed the De Almond home at
Butler, Mo, early today.
The other members of the family es-
capped and it is believed none was hurt.
The bodies were found in the ruins OF
the house this afternoon. The bodies
were lying side by side. Congressman
De Almond evidently had been carrying
his grandson when death overlook them
both
Other occupants of the house at the
time of the fire and who escaped were
Mrs. De Almond, james A. De Almond,
aged 80, son of the congressman, and
u daughter aged 80.
The fire started at o'clock this morn
ing.
The home of Congressman De Almond
was situated across the street from that
of James A. De Armond the son. James
started to rush into the burning home
of his father i'll an attempt to save the
latter. but was restrained by the young
er members of the De Almond family
and by neighbors.
Boy Cries for Help.
Congressman De Almond and his
young grandson occupied one room on
the south side of the building, while Mrs.
De Almond and Mrs. Clark were in
separate rooms on the opposite side OF
the house Nettie Boles, 20 years old,
servant girl, had a room on the west end
of the house Mrs Clark was awakened
by cry and going to the door of her
room saw smoke issuing from the part
of the house where Congressman De Ar
mond and Waddie slept
.ti,pt mo ont of here she heard Wad-
die cry.
Never mind, son, I'll save you," Con
gresham De Almond answered.
Those were last words either of the
victims uttered.
The financial loss is placed at $4,000
and included one of the best libraries in
the state.
Mrs. Clark believes that her father
sacrificed his life in a heroic effort to
save his grandson. She thinks that Con,
gresham De Almond around I'M
time to save himself but in awaking the
boy and in attempting to carry him from
danger, became confused in the smoke
which was momentarily growing denser
and was overcome before being able to
find the way out.
Mrs. De Almond. wife of the CONF
s,ressman who escaped in her night
clothes unhurt, tainted as soon as she
reached the ground. When revived she
became hysterical and it was some time
before she could tell what had happened.
The first she knew of the fire, she said,
was when she heard her grandson, Wad
die, call out that the house was on fire.
Mrs. De Almond occupied Il room on the
first floor. Congressman De Almond and
the grandson were in rooms on the sec
Ond floor.
Escapes Just in Time
Mrs De Almond was only barely able
to escape with her own life, and had not
n moment to attempt the rescue of
others. The house was of wooden con-
struction and by the time she had
reached the front yard the building was
wrapped in flames. Fifteen minutes
later it was III ashes.
Mrs. Hattie Clark, the married daugh
ter of Congressman and Mrs. De Ar
mond, slept on the first floor and so did
n woman servant. Mrs Clark and the
maid both escaped within minute or
two after the alarm of fire was sounded.
Mrs. Clark suffered a burned hand but
was not seriously hurt. The maid, who
escaped through the rear door, was I'M
hurt.
Waddie De Almond, the dead boy,
was the son of James A. De Almond,
who lived across the street from the
burning house. The boy was visiting his
grandparents. James A. De Almond is
the editor of a local newspaper.
First Elected in 1891.
David a. De Almond was first elected
to the House of Representatives from
the Sixth congressional district of Mis-
souri, in 1891, and served continuously.
He was one of the best known members
of the lower house at Washington and
had occupied other positions of promi-
nence in his state.
He was Democrat and in addition
ITO his political prominence was a we'll
known lawyer. He was born March Is,
aS44, in Blair county, Pennsylvania. His
early life was spent on his fathers farm,
receiving his education in the common
schools and at Williamsport Dickinson
seminary.
In his young manhood he practiced law
In Butler, Mo-. and in 1884 was named
presidential elector. He held successive
ly the positions of state senator, circuit
bulge. and Missouri supreme court com
missioner. His entry into Congress was
In 1891, when he was made represent
htive in the Fifty-second Congress and
WAS reelected to each succeeding Con
Eress, including the Sixty-first.