Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-26

DOQl6S VI OOuS ICSSu1dn 0C<AA A1OAA
and his grandson, Waddie, who
were burned to death in their
home early today were found in
the ruins of the house this after
noon. The bodies were lying side
by side. Congressman DeArmond
evidently had been carrying his
grandson when death overlook
him
KANSAS CITY. Mo-, Nov. 2s.-Repre-
sentative David DeArmond, one Of the
oldest Democratic members OF congress,
and his grandson. Waddie, aged g. were
burned to death in a fire that destroyed
the DeArmond home at Butler. No. early
today
The other members of the family es
capped. and it is believed none was hurt.
THOSE WHO ESCAPED.
Other occupants of the house at the
time OF the fire and who escaped were
Mrs DeArmond. James A. DeArmono'
aged Is, a son of the congressman, ana Q
daughter. aged 50.
Mrs Hattie Clarke believes that her
father sacrificed his life in a heroic ef-
fort 10 save his grandson. She thinks
that Congressman DeArmond was arous-
ed in time to save himself, but that i'm
awakening the boy and attempting to car
~ him from danger. he became con-
fused in the smoke. which was momen-
tarily growing denser. and was over
come before he was able to find the way
out
The fire started at about o'clock in
the morning. The DeArmond home was
n - ctr rnufrU
some distance from the street. On two
sides OF the house outdoor sleeping apart
ments had been constructed on Lever
with the second floor and at the time OF
the fire broke out. the occupants OF the
house were in these rooms.
GET Me OUT OF HERE!'
CONGRESSMAN DeArmond and his young
grandson occupied one room on the south
side OF the building while Mrs. DeArmond
and Mrs. Clark were I'm separate rooms
on the opposite side OF the house.
Nettie Boyies. 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 DeArmond and
Waddie slept.
Get me out of here. she heard Waddie
cry.
Never mind. son. I'll save you" Con-
gresham DeArmOnd answered. -.
Those were the last words either of the
victims uttered. A moment later the
smoke increased i'm volume and Mrs, Clark
fled down stairs to the telephone. With
in a minue's time she had given the
alarm to the telephone office and hurried
back to the room OF her mother!
AwAKENs MRS. DE ARMoND.
BY this time the entire second floor
was clouded with smoke and flames were
leaping from the windows Cropping her
way to Mrs Diamonds bedside she hur-
riedly awakened he congressman's wife
and literally dragged her from the room
The two had scarcely reached the ground
when Mrs. DeArmOnd 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 administer to her mother.
The home OF Congressman DeArmond
was situated across the street from that
'of James A. DeArmond one OF his three
sons. BY the time Mrs. Clark and her
mother had reached a safe place neigh
bors and the firemen were gathering.
The flames by this time entirely en-
Yeloped the big house. shooting from ev-
cry window, and to have entered tho
building would have been extremely dan
gerous.
FRANTIC EFFORT TO REscUEl
James DeArmond, however, dashed for
the front door. frantic in an effort to
save his father and the boy. He had al
ready been lost i'm a cloud Of smoke be-
fore neighbors could get to him and pre-
vent his entering the house. For a 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. it developed
Letter. had been one of the first TO escape.
She reached the street from the rear door
after the first cry of fire. She was un-
hurt but too frightened to comprehend
the situation and had fed from the scene.
The financial loss is placed at $4,000
and included one of the best libraries
in the state.
.wADDIE' A NAAIEsAKE.
Congressman DeArmond had three sons
and a daughter James A. DeArmond
is the only son In the west. He is editor
OF the Butler Democrat. and was adju-
tent general on the stan Of Gov. Joseph
w. Folk.
eWaddie" DeArmond was a son of
James DeArmond. His right name was
David A DeArmond. He was named af-
ter his grandfather and was the latter
favorite grandchild. The boy frequent
" remained at the home of his grand
parents. always occupying bed with the
congressman.
Congressman Diamonds other sons
are Edward H, who is an instructor at
West Point. and Lieut.. George w. De-
Almond nok serving with the army in
the Philippines.
A brother of the decedent. William De-
Almond, lives In Chicago. A second
brother, ]. H.. lives in Davenport. Iowa.
Mrs. Hattie Clark is the daughter wife
OF Harvey Clark. and resides in Neva-
da, Mo.
Mrs. DeArmond, wife Of the congress-
man. who escaped i'm her night clothes
unhurt, tainted as soon as she reached the
ground. When revived later she became
hysterical and it was some time before
she could tell what had happened.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
In Mr. DeArmond the Democrats lose
one Of their leaders on the floor of the
house A member of that body for the
past 19 years and man of education.
wide experience and fluent speech. he had
become one OF the principal resources of