Edna Boardman, 1881-1933

BOARDMAN, MATHESON, LITKA, GINGER

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 5/26/2012 at 01:21:08

Sutherland Courier (O'Brien Co.), 11 May 1933, p 4, Col. 3

Spencer Woman Loses Her Life in a Heroic Effort to Save Grandchildren

Spencer Reporter: Calmly and heroically accepting burns in order that her two little grandchildren might not be harmed, Mrs. Henry E. Boardman, 52, suffered fatal injuries late Thursday afternoon when kerosene, poured into a cook stove, ignited, exploded and set fire to her clothing and the home in which she lived at 126 East Second street. Although Mrs. Boardman's clothing was blazing, she protected her two grandchildren, who were sitting near the stove, from the flames and waited until they had been taken from the house before she received aid for herself. The accident occurred at about 4 o'clock Thursday and Mrs. Boardman died Friday morning at 1:15 at the Spencer hospital.

Mrs. Boardman was attempting to start a fire in the cook stove, using a can of kerosene in order that the fire might be kindled more rapidly and it is believed that the smouldering coals in the stove caused the explosion and set the contents of the can afire. She hurled the can from her and the fire spread rapidly throughout the kitchen, endangering the lives of Marina May, 4, and Jackie Lee Williams, 16 months old. As the flames shot from the stove and ignited the kerosene that had been spread in the room when the can was hurled, Mrs. Boardman stood in front of the little children to protect them and waited in the burning room until the mother, Mrs. J. H. Williams, had taken them from the house. It pays to be careful with kerosene, as well as gasoline.

Mrs. Dollie Matheson and John, Mrs. Velma Litka and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Ginger attended the funeral of their cousin, Mrs. Henry Boardman at Spencer last Monday. Death was caused by a kerosene explosion.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

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