Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-23
Former Resident OF Dav-
enport Meets Fate at
Butler, Mo.
GRANDSON WITH HIM
Other Members of Family Bare
ly Have Time to Escape
Was National Figure.

Kansas CITY Nov. 23.-Representa-
tive David A DeArmond, one of the
Oldest democratic members of con-
gress. and grandson Waddie, aged 6,
were burned to death in fire that de-
stroyed the DeArmond home at Butler,
Mo, early today Bones believed to be
those of the congressman were found
by searchars this morning.
The other occupants of the house at
the time of the fire, and who escaped,
were Mrs. DeArmond, James A De
Almond, son of the congressman, and
daughter.
Starts at 3 A. NJ.
Tho fire started at this morning.
Mrs. DeArmond. wife of the congress
man. after recovering from the shock
of the fire. said the first she knew of
the fire was when she heard her grand
son Waddie call out the house was on
fire. Mrs. DeArmond occupied a room
on the first floor while the congress
man and grandson were in rooms on
The SECOND floor
Darcly Able to Escape.
MIS- DeArmond was barely able to
escapa with her own life, and had not
n moment TO attempt 10 rescue the
others. When she reached the yard
the building was wrapped in flames,
as'd Is minutes later it was in ashes.
Mrs DeArmord said she neither saw
nor heard any cry from her husband,
aad nottiug is known of his expert
enc~s.
irs. Hattie Clark. married riaush- I
cr Of tie con gresham, and Mrs De
i Jinond ard maid servant all slept on
;2eArst floor. and escaped. Mrs. Clark
: slightly burned.
SON Tried TO Snve.
.Fhe home of the congressman was
lcrass tia street from that of the son
LaH es. The latter started to rush into
the burning home of his father in an
attempt 10 save the latter, but was re-
strained by other members of the
family and neighbors. The cause of
the fire is unknown.
sIrs. Clark Heard Cry.
Mrs Clark says she was awakened
by cry. and going to the door Of her
room, saw smoke issuing from the part
OF the part house where the congress- /
man and Waddie slept.
Get me out of here!" she heard .
waddie cry.
Never mind. son, I'll save you," the .
congressman said.
Last Words Uttered.
These were the last words either Of /
the victims uttered. A moment later |
the smoke increased in volume, and .
Mrs. Clark fed to the telephone. With
in a few minutes time she had given
the alarm to the telephone office and
hurried back to the room of her moth /
er, and succeeded in getting her out
Of the house.
No cry came from the burning ruins
Of the house, now fast crumbling, and
It was evident DeArmond and Waddie
had by that time been overcome by the
smoke or were then dead
Died Saving Boy.
Mrs. Clark believes her father sac-
rif1ced his life In an effort to save the
grandson. She thinks the congress
man was aroused in time to save him
self, but in attempting to carry the
boy from danger he became confused
In the smoke and was overcome before
he was able to find way out.
Bodies of Both Found.
The bodies of DeArmond and
grandson were found in the ruins this
afternoon lying side by side. Dear
mond was evidently carrying the
grandson when death overlook him
Once Lived In Davenport.
Congressman DeArmond is a brother
of DR.. J. A. DeArmond of Davenport.
The latter was notified today of the
accident. Congressman DeArmond
himself formerly lived In Davenport.
studying law and being admitted to
the bar there. He was born in Blair
county, Pa, March 18, 1845 He at
tended Dickinson seminary at Will
Transport. Pa, and came with his
family to Scott county in 1866. Soon
afterward he began the study of law
with the firm of Lane & Day in Daven-
port. Upon being admitted to the bar
he began practicing at Greenfield, Mo.
Here he entered politics, being first
elected state senator. Later he be-
came district judge and served on the
supreme court commission.
From Greenfield he removed to But
Ter and was there elected to congress
from the Sixth district, serving 20
years and becoming one of the demo-
cratic leaders. He served on various