The Dickinson press., 1909-01-09
PERISH
FROM FIRE

Horrible Fatality North of Glad
stone. Homesteader Rescues
Four Little Ones From Burn
ing Home, OneMay Recover.
A more tragic case than that of Joseph
Kohl, living is miles north of Glad
stone, never occurred in the history of
Western North Dakota. In the flames
which destroyed his home on Monday
afternoon, one of his children was
actually cremated before his very eyes.
while of the three others whom he sue
ceeded in carrying from the burning
building, their clothes entirely destroyed
and the flesh burned in many places to
crisp. one died before help could be
summoned, second cannot live and the
third has barely chance of recovering.
AWFUL CALAMITY
The details are almost too horrible to
relate. Not only did the unfortunate
children suffer untold aeonies from their
burns, but before they could be carried
to the nearest shelter, the home of a
neighbor, a mile away, with only the
coat of their frantic father as protec-
tion from the piercing cold. they had to
undergo the tortures of exposure in a
temperature of many degrees below
zero. The limbs of one child were so
badly frostbitten ttat if recovery is pos
sible, the amputation of the little ones
feet will be necessary.
The circumstances of the case make up
one of the most pitiable tales imagin-
able. The whole town of Gladstone is
stunned by the tragedy which so sud-
denly nearly wiped out of existence a
properous and happy family.
A HAPPY HOME
Less than a year ago Joseph Koehl
came to this country from Hungary and
took up claim about IS miles north
of Gladstone. The past summer was q
fruitful one for him. His crops were
heavy and the thrifty homesteader had
erected comfortable home for his wife
and five little ones, ranging in age
from ~ years to 10. The cabin was a
substantial one with shingled roof and
floor of wood while in the barn. which
was connected with the house, were
two good horses. The family was
fully prepared to undergo the seventies
of winter in comfort and Joseph Koehl
was envied by his neiehbors for his
bright children, his pleasant home and
general air of thriftiness.
Last Sunday the wife went to the home
of friends south of Gladstone for little
visit, taking with her the ten-year-old
boy. and leaving at home the father and
four younger children.
RUNS FOR HELP
On Monday afternoon the father was
at work not far, distant from the house.
Looking up he saw that the roof of the
building, near the chimney. was ablaze.
Somewhat bewildered at the sight, his
first thought was for help and with this
object in view. he ran toward the home
Of the nearest neighbor. a mile away.
When part of the distance had been
covered, he saw that the flames were
making rapid progress and that what
was to be done toward saving any thing,
he must do alone.
The blaze appeared to be the worst at
the barn and with the frantic but fruit
less efforts, he endeavored to save his
two horses. but could not get near
them.
He then dashed into the house for the
childlen but was too late. The room
was already in flames and the clothes of
the little ones were ablaze. He sue
ceeded in removing three of them, but
not until every stitch of clothing had
been burned off their bodies. The
fourth. a child three years old. perished
in the flames. The body was found
later entirely incinerated.
COLD ADDS HORROR
The weather was friehtfully cold and
the mercury registered fully IS degrees
below zero. With nothing but his coat
to wrap around his dear ones, he then
started for his neighbor's. Help was
of no avail then and as the. last faint
glow of his once comfortable home
flashed in the sky, he reached the
welcome shelter.
The youngest child was dead before
he arrived at the cabin and the feet Of
the six-year-old girl were badly FROST
bitten and there is no hope for her fe-
covery. She has been brought to the
Stein hospital in this city, where every
thing possible can be done to alleviate
her sufferings. The eight-year-old
child may recover, with proper care.
D. J. P. Weyf5ns was summoned to
attend the casa early Tuesday morning
and did everything possible. He states
that the case is one of the most pitiable
he ever had The mother returned hnne