Mrs. Craig

CRAIG

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 1/18/2024 at 06:58:23

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Saturday, May 3, 1873
Page 4

The Muscatine Journal gives these particulars of the death of Mrs. Craig at West Liberty last Monday:" It seems that being in a hurry to prepare dinner, and the fire having gone out, as she supposed, Mrs. Craig seized a gallon-can filled with oil and began pouring the contents over the kindling. There happened, however, to be live coals in the ashes, and when the oil reached them, a terrific explosion followed. The stream of fire attending the explosion communicated with the can, which also exploded, and its burning contents speedily enveloped the poor woman in a sheet of flame. She ran out of doors, shrieking in her agony and fright, and hastened to the well, where she attempted to extinguish the fire by throwing water on herself. Her efforts proving unavailing, she next threw herself on the ground to accomplish her object by rolling over. By this time assistance had reached her, when the flames were extinguished with water, the victim wrapped in blankets and carried to the house. On removing the blankets a horrible and sickening spectacle presented itself, The flesh was hanging from her arms in shreds, her face was raw and her body covered with blisters. Though everything which medical skill and human ingenuity could suggest was done, her condition she lingered only a short time."