Watt, Mrs. Arthur and daughter Mary Jean d. 1923

WATT, WARREN

Posted By: Nora Borts (email)
Date: 2/6/2011 at 13:21:37

Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa
Thursday, April 5, 1923
Page 1

MOTHER AND CHILD SMOTHER TO DEATH

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MRS. ARTHUR WATT AND DAUGHTER VICTIMS OF SMOKE

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House Caught Fire While Mr. Watt Was Away and the Smoke Smothered the Two

Monday afternoon Mrs. Arthur Watt and little three year old daughter, Mary Jean, met a tragic death, when they were smothered to death from smoke when their house, located between Ira and Goddard, northeast of town, caught on fire.

Three years ago when the little daughter was born, the mother took influenza which was followed by a stroke of paralysis and since that time she has been an invalid. However the past year she has bene [sic] able to get about some and the last of the week said that Miss Inglis, the maid who has been with her for some time might go to her home for her vacation. On Monday Mr. Watt went down to the school house to a meeting of the township trustees and it is thought after he went that the mother and little child went to the upstairs room for their afternoon nap.

The fire was discovered by Frank Kradle, a neighbor who was dragging the roads. He noticed the smoke pouring out of the upstairs window and upon going to the house found all doors locked. He then went to the nearest neighbors and Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Herbold returned with him and upon making entrance discovered the upstairs so full of smoke that it was necessary to get to the sleeping rooms by breaking in an upstairs window. Mr. Herbold could not see because of the dense smoke but stumbled onto the crib where the little girl was sleeping. He brought her downstairs where first aid treatment was given but it was of no avail. Mr. Herbold and Paul Terpstra of this city, who happened to be at the Herbold home then went back and located Mrs. Watt who, when she was carried to the out doors was given first aid treatment, but she also had succumbed.

The fire seemed to be especially bad in the closet off the room in which Mrs. Watt and the baby were sleeping and the beds were also on fire but neither were burned. The beds in the other rooms were also burning. The greatest amount of damage to the house was from smoke and water.

Mr. Watt was told his house was on fire but did not know of the death of his wife and little one. The eldest son Gerald, 16 years old who was at his work in the Newton high school did not know of the death of his mother and little sister until he was taken home.

Mrs. Watt was very active in the church and social life of the community before she became an invalid and even the past year had begun to take an interest in the affairs of the community. She was especially interested in the Sand Hill Sunday school where she helped with the music many years. She will be remembered in her home town of Mitchellville as Miss Della Warren, the daughter of Joseph Warren, who now resides at Weldon, and who survives to mourn the loss of this daughter.

The Watt family reside on a farm 7 1-2 miles northeast of Colfax and are well known here.

The bodies were taken to the Morgan funeral home in Newton and the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, at 1:30 o’clock with Rev. Clarence Bigelow of Adel officiating.