Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1909-11-27
Of the Manner in which Her
bert McMath Met His
Death.
LIVED ONLY % HOURS.
Graphic Account of the Ac-
dent Taken From Penn
broke Journal.

The following detailed account of
the fatal burning of Herbert P, Nc
Math, at Pembroke. Tuesday night,
is from the Pembroke Journal. The
accident was reported in the Ken
tuckian Thursday, but at the press
hour Mr.. McMath was still alive.
He died Wednesday night:
AS a result Of fire, caused by ia
pan dryer becoming ignited, in the
carpenter shop of W. H. Whitlow
& Son, on Jackson street, Tuesday
night shortly after 8 O'Clock, Her
bert McMath, a well known young
man, died Wednesday night.
Mr.. McMath, painter, who was
painting in the country for Whitlow
& Son, came to town Tuesday night
, for more paint. The paint was stored
in the carpenter shop, and Mr.. Nc
Math and William H. Payne, sales
man at Levy & Whitlow's grocery,
went to the shop to get it. On en-
tering the building they lighted
candle and began drawing the dryer
from a cask. Almost Immediately
the gas from the dryer became ig-
nited from the candle and the flames
almost completely enveloped Mr..
| McMath. In attempting to escape
he ran toward the back door of the
building, but that door being locked,
Mr.. Payne called to him to come to
the front door. The flames extended
by this time almost entirely across
the house, and Mr.. Payne could not
get to him without running through
the fire and greatly endangering
himself. MIR. McMatb needed the
call and ran to Mr.. Payne, who re-
moved his hat and placing it over
Mr.. McMath's mouth to prevent him
from inhaling the flames which en-
veloped his body, got him out of the
house and started to Charlie Gums
colored hotel, next door, for assist
ance. Tom Ware, a colored barber,
was just leaving the hotel and heard
the cry for help ard saw Mr.. Nc
Math was on fire He Immediately
threw off his overcoat and wrapped
it about Mr.. McMath and by this
means he and Mr.. Payne finally ex-
tinguishe1 Mr.. McMath's clothing,
which, however, were almost liter
ally burned from his body.
Mr.. McMath was taken to the
Office of Drs. Payne & Boyd, where
his burns were given attention.
While he was badly burned almost
from head to foot, the worst injuries
were to his hands and feet and legs.
There was also bad burn over the
left eye, and his face was more or
less BADLY burned all over.
Mr.. Payne's escape from serious
injury was almost miraculous. AS it
was, his hands were considerably
burned, and his hair and eyebrows
were singed. He proved hero in
saving the life of his companion at
great peril to himself. Great praise
is also due Tom Ware, who came to
the rescue in the nick Of time and |
worked heroically to extinguish the
flames.
The building in which the fire
started was totally destroyed with
all its contents. The loss is estima-
ted at 81 200. with $500 insurance.
Herbert McMath was 26 years of
age. He was born and reared in !
Pembroke. where his whole life was
spent, with the exception Of a year
or so spent in Hopkinsville, where
he held the position Of city clerk. |
He was bright boy, possessed of a
genial, happy disposition, and was
known and liked by every one. He |
was the only child Of fond and in
dulgent parents, and their grief at
his tragic death is most pitiful.
About five years ago he was married
to Miss Ora Twyman, a most lovable