Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-19
4-YEAR-OLD BOY
BURNED FATALLY
CHILD PLAYS WITH MATCHES
AND GASOLINE
KISSES PARENTS AND PLAYMATE
GooDBY
Little Sufferer, After Being Taken to
Hospital, Calmly Announces
That He Is Going to
Die

While playing with matches and a
small dish of gasoline little Alexander
Spalding, 31a years old, the son of Alex
ander Spalding, a plasterer living at
15671s East Twentieth street, was
burned fatally yesterday morning and
died several hours later at the Chill
dren's hospital. The little fellow was
conscious to the last; smiled and told
his parents and his playmates he was
going to die. and kissed them all
good by.
Just how the accident occurred Is not
known. Mrs. Spalding had cleaned
some ribbons with a quantity of gaso-
line Saturday and had left the liquid
in a can on the rear porch. Yesterday
morning she and her husband arose
early and went downstairs in the parlor
to read the morning paper. Later the
lad awoke, slipped out of his little bed
and came downstairs in his flannel
nightgown. He passed through the
dining room, into the kitchen and went
out on the rear porch without the
parents being aware of it
Unable to Smother Flames
Shortly afterward the child gave a
SCICdIl llldl Slttl tlth lllG
parents, and before they could investi-
gate the little fellow ran into the parlor
with his clothing ablaze.
Spalding seized the child and clasped
him to his breast and endeavored 10
beat out the fire. He was unsuccessful
and after burning his hands severely
took the lad into the bedroom and
clothes and succeeded In smothering out
the fire, but not before the child was
burned from head to foot.
The mother ran two blocks for n
physician, but was unsuccessful be-
cause of the latter not being at home.
She then hurried back, and with Mrs.
G. Harmon of 1852 East Twentieth street
and other neighbors who heard the
screams and rushed in placed oiled
dressings on the little sufferer and rem
dered emergency treatment until the
arrival of the ambulance from the Chill
dren's hospital.
The child, although horribly burned,
did not seem to suffer after the dress
ings were applied and retained con-
seriousness. He talked with his parents
and with his playmates, who had come
to see him, and with a smile clamly
stated he would die within a short time.
Kisses Mother Goodby.
He was taken to the Children's hos
pital, accompanied by his parents and
one little playmate, Clarence Kerly of
Twentieth street and Compton avenue.
The little sufferer fingered for several
hours and passed the time talking with
his parents and his playmate Finally
realizing that he had but few min
utes to live, the little fellow threw his
arms about his mothers neck told her
how much he loved her and how sorry
he was to have to die and leave her.
He then whispered the same message to
his father and called TO his little play
mate and told him good by. Then, with
n smile on his disfgured little face, the
brave little fellow closed his eyes and
was dead
The mother became hysterical and
medical attention for her was neces-
sary.
The body of the lad was taken to the
undertaking establishment of Robert
sharp & SON whence the body of tho
lads grandmother had been borne TO
the grave Saturday morning. Coroner
Hartwell PROBABLY will sign certificate
of accidental death without holding an
inquest