Minerva D. (Scanling) Polk (1893)

POLK

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 1/27/2008 at 09:00:38

Winterset Madisonian – August 11, 1893
Winterset, Iowa
Page 7

DEATH IN THE FLAMES.

Mrs. Chas. Polk Loses Her Life in a Gasoline Explosion.

One of the Most Estimable Women in Madison County, the Victim of a Terrible Accident General Grief Expressed.

The news came to Winterset last Sunday evening of one of the most heart rending accidents that have occurred in this county for many years. It was that Mrs. Polk, wife of ex-Supervisor Charles Polk, of McPherson, had been burned to death in a gasoline explosion. The particulars reported at the time were very meager, and are not yet fully understood.

The home of Mr. Polk is at McPherson, a small country postoffice, twelve miles southwest of Winterset on the road to Macksburg. A gasoline cooking stove was in use in the family, and on Sunday afternoon Mrs. Polk was preparing to use it to cook supper. It is reported that her daughter told her that she had filled the gasoline tank, and Mrs. Polk then came in and struck a match to light the burners. It seems that a valve had been left open and the gas was escaping and pretty well filled the room, which is a small one. At any rate, when Mrs. Polk lit the match an explosion occurred, and she was immediately enveloped in flames. Her husband, who was near by, hastened into the room, but there was not time to render any assistance. Mrs. Polk’s clothing had been entirely burned from her body, and death followed very quickly.

The high respect in which the family is held makes the distressing affair a matter of sincere public grief, not only in that immediate neighborhood, but throughout this entire section. Mrs. Polk was one of those women who are loved and respected wherever known. She was of excellent education and accomplishments, and her loss will be deeply felt. Her remains were laid to rest on Monday last.

Note: Burial was made in the Moon cemetery.