The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-02-02
coroner,s Inquest at Pemberton

COfonef'S Inquest aC EemDe1tOA
Coroner Barclay Seeds empaneled a
jury to inquire into the death of Mabel
South, the little girl who was burned to
death at New Egypt, on Saturday, Jan
uary 20. The accident was caused by a
lighted match being thrown or falling into
a pail of gasoline. which spread flames
over sidewalk and ignited the little girls
clothing. The accident occurred in Ocean
county and the death took place in Bur-
lington county, thereby putting the In
quest within the jurisdiction of our coro-
ner. Prosecutor Theodore ]. R. Brown, OF
Ocean county, was to have appeared in
the case, as any criminal action would
have to take place there, but he was de-
tanned through death in his family and
Prosecutor Atkinson appeared for him.
The Jury was empaneled Immediately
after the death of the child, and viewed
the remains. On Friday the Jury met in
the town hall, Pemberton. 1t was COM
DO sed of the following: Joel M. Foster,
John Davis, Luther M. Abbott, Samuel
Bishop, Richard Harker, William Gordon.
The first witness called was Ridgway
South, father Of the child. He lives on
the cranberry bog of Ex-senator Shinn,
near Cookstown. He told of being in
New Egypt on the ed, having with him
his daughter Mabel, a child three years OF
age. After buying some shoes for her he
took her to the candy shop of her uncle
and purchased her some cakes. Several
men were near, among them George
South, William Thompson and William
Grover. Charles Oakerson came along
carrying in his hand pail in which there
was some liquid. Thompson lighted a
match and threw it away and in an instant
there was burst of fame which ran over
the pavement. The little girl, who was
quietly eating her cakes, gave scream
and it was seen she was on fire. The
father flew to save her and In so doing re-
ceived burns on the hand, which was still
bound up. The child was taken to the
Office of doctor and then was removed
to her home, but she died early the next
morning. Mr.. South said he saw Thomp-
son throw the match, but he did not hear
any words spoken. The child was about
five feet distant from the pail when it was
set afre.
Charles Oakerson was the next witness.
He was the man who carried the pail OF
gasoline. He works In a store In New
Egypt at which gasoline is sold. On the
afternoon in question customer called
for some Of the fluid, but wanted more
than was in stock SO Oakerson took gal
yanized pail and went across the street to
another store and bought some. AS he
was returning he came near where the
men named by Mr.. South were sitting and
one of them asked What are you ped
dling7" to which Oakerson replied "Gaso
line" He then heard a match struck and
knowing what he was carrying he quick
ly turned and saw Thompson, after light
ing a cigar or something of that character
snap a match in Oakerson's direction
The match struck the pail and the con
tents were Immediately in blaze. Oak
erson Jumped to save himself and the
bucket fell toward the houses The
father of the child also jumped and Oak
erson claims If he had taken the little CIR
with him there would not have been any
serious happening. As it was, the flames
swept toward her and she was soon or
fire. The buildings also took fire. Oak
erson said he did not hear any remark
about throwing match, OF any reference
to dare being made on that score.
| Edward Grover, one of the group o.
men sitting on the sidewalk, saw Thomp
SON throw the match and saw the flames
AS soon as it was seen that the child wal
on fire Thompson went to the little girl
rescue. He did not hear anybody remark
to Oakerson anything about the gasoline
nor was there any suggestion that someone
throw match into the pail. Witness
did not even know what Oakerson had IL
the pail. He was very much interested ii
talking horse with Thompson.
George South, clerk in the candy stor'
where the accident happened. said he wa
the person who asked Oakerson what h'
was carrying In the pail South was three
or four yards from Thompson and Oaker
son came along on the sidewalk. AL
hands were close together, and South saw
Thompson throw the match. Prosecutor
Atkinson tried to get the witness to &C
knowledge that Thompson must hav'
heard Oakerson's reply that he was carry
ing gasoline, but South could not Civ
any information on that point.
Harvey Moore saw the fire and ran t.
the fire company's house, and all he knew