SEARLES, Hanora

SEARLES

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 7/9/2006 at 15:58:09

October 6, 1892 Cherokean Democrat

BURNED TO DEATH

A Sad Fate Befalls an Aged Meriden Lady-Her Clothing Caught Fire in a Buggy-Lived Only a Few Hours-The Old Man Badly Burned…

A Sad Event

MERIDEN, Oct.6-Died, at her home in Meriden, last Saturday night at 12 o’clock, Mrs. Hanora Searles, wife of D.D. Searles. The funeral services were conducted from the Christian church Sunday at 2 o’clock, where a large number of kind friends performed the last act of respect to the deceased.

Mrs. Searles, together with her husband, drove to Cherokee last Saturday and while returning and within two miles of Meriden it was discovered that Mrs. Searles’ clothing was on fire. They were driving an unsteady horse and as Mr. Searles lent assistance in quenching the fire the horse became unmanageable. Mrs. Searles jumped from the buggy and, wild with pain, rolled in the weeds on either side of the road until her clothes were literally burned from her body. In this almost creamed state they drove on to Meriden, where she only lived a few hours.

The deceased was born May 1st, 1832, on the ocean while her parents were emigrating from Ireland to Canada. A few years later she removed with them to Illinois, where she was twice married and lived the greater part of her life. She was the mother of a large family of children seven of whom survive her and live in this vicinity. She was a devoted wife and mother, pleasant and cheerful in her old age. The bereaved ones have the kindest sympathy of all in their great affliction. Mr. and Mrs. Searles were among the earliest settlers in this county, coming here from Illinois.

Mr. Searles’ hands were so badly burned that it is doubtful if he ever regains the use of them.