Myrtle Kingsnorth 1879 - 1900

KINGSNORTH, SEXTON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/30/2016 at 11:47:04

Horrible Accident
June 1900

Mrs. Geo. Kingsnorth is burned to death at the home in Hornick

It is a very sad duty for us to chronicle so terrible a death as happened in our town last Sunday afternoon, the remembrance of which will remain with many for years to come. The facts as gleaned are as follows: Mrs. Geo. Kingsnorth was using gasoline in cleansing her carpet and had applied about a gallon, having it in a basin. A hot fire was burning in the room at the time, the stove standing near where she was working, and she was about through with the cleaning when the combustion of the gas and heat came, knocking the lady prostrate on the floor, and setting fire to the surroundings. No one was with her at the time, (her husband having left the house a short time before the accident, returning at the first call for help,) her sister Pearl being in another room and claims she heard Mrs. Kingsnorth exclaim directly after the explosion: “My God, Pearl,” Those being the last words the poor lady uttered. Miss Pearl immediately ran into the other part of the house occupied by Eugene Elliott and family, and securing his aid they forced an entrance into the room after some great effort (the doors being closed) and met with so much smoke and fire that it was impossible to enter at once. In answer for help a great many people came with hand grenades and buckets and after a hard battle succeeded in extinguishing the fire and getting the unfortunate women out, but it was seen at once that she was beyond earthly aid, as she was so badly burned, all the clothing with the exception of a remnant, which was left around her shoulders being burned from her body. She was carried across to the hotel Jennings where Dr. Sawyer with other careful hands and willing hearts done all that could be done.

She lived about four hours after the accident, but seemingly was unconscious of all suffering. The remains were laid to rest in the Ticonic Cemetery beside her mother, Rev. Moore officiating at the grave. The bereaved husband has the sympathy of the entire community in his sudden affliction, and many friends have manifested that sympathy for him by kind words and acts.

Those from elsewhere in attendance to the funeral were: Bessie and Sarah Kingsnorth of Sioux City, Mrs. Needles of Mapleton and Geo Sexton of Ticonic.

Mrs. Myrtle Kingsnorth was a daughter of F.M. and Mrs. Sexton. She was born in Gentry County, Missouri, October 29, 1859 and was married to George Kingsnorth at Council Bluffs, Iowa, October 12, 1899, they living in Sioux City five months before coming to Hornick, where they have resided about three months, having boarded until a month ago when they moved into the rooms above L.J. Coombs hardware store where the accident occurred.