The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-22
BURNED TO DEATH
Miss LureIIa Thomas, 81 Years
Old, Loses Life in Fire.
Had Lived Alone on North Mon
roe Street for Forty Years.

Determination to remain in the
home where she had lived alone for
forty years resulted in death by suf-
location for Miss Lurella Thomas, age
North Monroe street was destroyed by
fire about $3.50 O'Clock this morning.
1t is believed that she fell while carry
ing a lighted lamp and that the flames
originated in this manner.
Miss Thomas was sister of the late
Prof. L. A. Thomas who was principal
of Lincoln school in 1876. She is sur
viyed by her sister-in-law. Mrs. L. A.
Thomas, and two nephews, Earl and
Ed Thomas.
Robert E. Davis, night foreman at
the Union Pacific roundhouse, was the
first to discover the fire. He had for
merly lived across the alley from the
Thomas home. Running to the door
he found it locked. Opening win
dow, he heard the woman groan, and
Immediately called for assistance.
When fire companies arrived and
broke in the door the firemen found
the aged woman lying on the floor
dead.
Fire Started in Rear Room.
The flames apparently originated in
the rear room of the house and burned
toward the front. Altho the fire had
been in the front room, where the
body was found, only small damage
was done there, it was said
Miss Thomas lived in the front
room, where she had her bed, table.
and stove The rear room was occu-
pied mostly by kindling, stacks of old
magazines and books and other
articles she had stored there. She was
in the habit of rising early, according
to information gathered by DR.. H. l..
Clark, county coroner, and it is be-
lieved she did so this morning. She
was very feeble, and on a number OF
occasions had fallen down in the yard
and was unable to arise without assls-
tance of neighbors, 1t was SAID
1t is believed that this morning she
arose early, as usual lighted the lamp
and went to the rear room to obtain
kindling with which to build a fire;
that she fell, dropping the lamp in the
papers and kindling and that the lire
quickly spread. She then evlaent!y
returned to the front room and at
tempted to open the door. but was
overcome by the smoke before she
had accomplished her purpose. There
was no indication that thesfire had
been set. nor is any motive known
which any one would have for com
mitting such a crime, Doctor Clark
said.
Miss Thomas continually rejected
the advice OF friends and neiGhbors
to leave her two-room home, 1t was
said. During the big flood of 1903.
was rescued from the place by Kill
maurs King, humaI-e agent, and both
times it was only after strenuous arSu-
ment that she was prevailed upon TO
leave, it was said. After the 1903
flood relatives purchased a member
ship in the Ingleside home for her,
but she remained there only a few
days and then returned to her old
home Her only companion was cat
She was well educated and mad
hobby for reading. Several times. 1t
is said, heath del artment officials
entered her house and hauled away
large quantities of magazines and pa
pers which had accumulated there.
She had been dependent upon char
ity for support, at least partially, for
some time, according to officials