Webb, Cora Cutler (1871-1913)

WEBB, CUTLER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/13/2015 at 11:11:52

Daily Freeman Tribune, Monday, May 26, 1913

MRS. FRANK WEBB OF HIGHVIEW MEETS TRAGIC END!

Boiling Oil to Finish Floor When It Caught on Fire and Her Body was Immediately Enveloped in Flames.

ACCIDENT HAPPENED SATURDAY

Mrs. Webb was Brought to Mercy Hospital in This City and Died That Night

The people of this community were horrified yesterday when they heard of the terrible and tragic death of Mrs. J. Frank Webb of Highview, who died at Mercy hospital in this city Saturday night from burns received at her home that afternoon.

Mrs. Webb had been to this city Friday and purchased a quart of linseed oil which she intended to boil and oil the kitchen floor with. Saturday afternoon Mrs. Webb had taken one of the lids off of the range and placed a big iron vessel filled with the oil in the opening where it could boil. She had scrubbed the floor thoroughly and had made the remark that she would lock the kitchen door, so that no one would go in and track the clean floor. Mrs. Webb probably went to take the kettle from the stove when the oil in some manner caught on fire and the flames immediately enveloped her. She rushed screaming to a window and threw herself out and her husband, who was working near the barn, saw and heard her and hurriedly rushed to her assistance. In the meantime the little daughter rushed out of the front door and around the house, hearing her mother's cries, and attempted to beat the flames out of her clothes. Mr. Webb finally plunged his wife into a tank of water in the back yard and put out the flames.

Dr. McCauliff of this city was summoned and did everything he could to relieve the terrible suffering of the patient. She was brought to Mercy hospital and everything possible done that could be, but all to no avail - she passed away at 11:30 Saturday night.

Mrs. Webb was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Cutler, who reside in Highview, and was forty-two years of age at the time of her terribly tragic taking away. She was born in Highview, September 9, 1871. The deceased leaves to mourn her death her husband and little nine year old daughter, Elma I. Webb; her parents, who live near the family home at Highview, and two brothers, R.V. Cutler of LaVeta, Colorado, and Harry O. Cutler of this city. The brother in Colorado is expected to arrive here tomorrow.

The funeral services will be held in the Methodist church on Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. C.H. Kamphoefner of this city and Rev. W.H. Welch of the church at Highview. [Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, Iowa]