Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-24
De ARMOND BURNED IN HOME
Congressman from Missouri and
Grandson Victims of Flames.
BOTH TRAPPED IN BEDROOM
Mrs. De Almond Has Narrow Escape
and Son Almost Loses His Life
in nm Effort to Rescue
Father.

KANSAS CITY, Nov. 23.-RepresenUative
David A. De Armond, one of the demo-
cratic members OF congress, and his grand
son, Wadde De Armond aged years,
were burned to death in a fire that de-
stroyed the De Almond home at Butler,
Mo-, early today.
Bones believed to be those of the con-
gresham were found by searchers in the
ruins this morning. 1t is believed both
congressman and the boy were burned to
death without being able to leave their
rooms
The other occupants of the house at the
time of the fire escaped. They are Mrs
De Almond and Mrs. Hattie Clark, wife
and daughter respectively, of the congress
man, and a woman servant.
Mrs. Clark suffered a slight burn to one
hand.
Mrs Clark believes that her father sac
rificed his life in an heroic effort to save
his grandson She thinks that Congress
man De Almond was aroused in time to
save himself, but that in awakening the
boy and attempting to carry him from dan
ger he became confused in the smoke
which was momentarily growing denser
and was overcome before he was able to
find the way out
The fire started at about o'clock in the
large frame structure. set we'll back from
the street. on two sides of the house
equal with the second floor, four rooms, or
outdoor sleeping apartments, had been con-
structed and at the time the fire broke
out the occupants of the house occupied
these rooms.
Congressman De Almond and his young
grandson occupied one room on the south
side of the building, while Mrs. De Armond
and Mrs Clark were in separate rooms on
the opposite side OF the house. Nettie Boles
20 years old. a servant girl, had roo n
on the west end Of the house,
Mrs. Clark was awakened by a cry and,
going to the door, saw smoke Issuing from
the part of the house where Congressman
De Almond and Waddie slept
Heard Voices Through Flame.
Get me out OF here" she heard Waddie
cry.
Never mind, son; I'll save YOU" Con-
gresham De Almond answered
Those were the last words either victim
uttered. A moment later the SNAKE in
creased in great volume and Mrs. Clark
fled downstairs TO the telephone. Within a
minute she had given the alarm to the
telephone office and hurried back TO the
room Of her mother.
BY this time the entire second floor was
flooded with smoke and flames were leap
ing from the windows. Cropping her way to
Mrs. De Almonds bedside she hurrledly
awakened the congressmans wife and
dragged her from the room.
There was no time 70 think Of aiding the
others Urging her mother down the STAIR
way the younger woman with difficulty
succeeded in reaching the street door and
opening 1t. The two had scarcely reached
the ground when Mrs. DeArmond tainted
and 1t was necessary 10 carry her from
the scene to save her from the flames.
Mrs Clark suffered a burned hand. but
maintained her composure and helped tc
administer 10 her mother
The flames by this time entirely envel-
oped the big house, shooting from every
window and to have entered the building
would have been certain death. James
/ De Almond, however dashed for the from
door, frantic ID an effort 20 save his
father and the boy. He had already beer
lost in a cloud OF smoke before neighbors
could get 10 him and prevent his entering
CONTINUED on Second PagaA