The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-11-24
BY Associated Press.

Kansas City, Nov. 23.-COngressman
David A. De Almond persisted in a fire
at his home at Butler, Mo, this morn,
ing while trying to save his grandson.
The heroism of the congressman be-
came known today when, with arms
locked around the blackened and
burned body OF the little 10y, the con-
CHEESEMAN'S body was found. He and
his grandson were sleeping together
last night when the fire broke out.
Other occupants of the house at the
time of the fire, and who escaped,
were Mrs. De Almond, James A. De
Almond, a son of the congressman,
and daughter.
The fire started about four o'clock
in the morning. The De Almond
home was a large two-story frame
structure, set back some distance from
the street. On two sides of the house
outdoor sleeping apartments had been
constructed on level with the second
hoor and at the time the fire broke
out the occupants of the house were
in these rooms.
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.
HEARD CRY OF BOY.
Nettie Bowles, 20 years old, a serv-
ant girl, had room on the west end
of the house. Mrs. Clark was awak-
ened by a cry and, going to the door
of her room, saw smoke issuing from
the part of the house where Congress
man De Almond and Waddie slept.
Get me out of here" she heard
Waddie cry.
Never mind son, I'll save you"
Congressman De Almond answered.
Those were the last words either of
the victims uttered. A moment later
the smoke increased in volume and
Mrs. Clark fed downstairs to the tele-
phone. Within a minutes time she
had given the alarm to the telephone
office ana hurried back to the room
of her mother.
By this time the entire second floor
was elouded with smoke and flames
were leaping from the windows.
Cropping her way to Mrs. De Almonds
bedside, she hurriedly awakened the
congressman's wife and literally
dragged her from the room The two
had scarcely reached the ground when
Mrs. De Almond tainted and it was
necessary to carry her from the scene
TO save her from the flames.
Mrs. Clark sustained a burned hand,
but maintained her compOsure and
helped to minister to her mother.
The home of Congressman De Ar
mond was situated across the street
from that of James A. De Almond, one
of his Lnree sons. By the time Mrs.
Clark and her mother had reached a
safe place. neighbors and the firemen
were gathering.
FLAMES ENVELOPED HOUSE.
The flames by this time entirely en-
veloped the big house, shooting from
every window, and to have entered the
building would have been extremely
dangerous,
James De Almond, however, dashed
for the front door, frantic in an effort
to save his father and boy. He had
already been lost in a cloud OF smoke
before neighbors could get to him and
prevent his entering the house. For
q few minutes there was a struggle,
and finally he was dragged TO the
street. Fifteen minutes later nothing
but ashes remained of the house.
Nettie Bowles, the maid, 1t deVel-
oped later, had been one of the first
to escape. She reached the street
from the rear door after the first cry
of fire She was unhurt, but too
frightened to comprehend the situa-
ton and had fed from the scene.
The financial loss is placed at $40
006 and included one OF the best
libraries in the state.
DEMOCRATS LOSE ONE OF
THEIR PROMINENT LEADERS
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