Alice "Allie" Miller(1862-1898) &Hervey L. Miller(1896-1898)

MILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/27/2011 at 17:24:44

From Story County Watchman January 14, 1898

Last Saturday morning James Miller was building a fire in the stove, by the side of which sit his wife and baby. The fire seemed to start very slowly and he took the kerosene can and began pouring oil onto the fire, when the oil suddenly caught fire and the can exploded. He jumped back from the flame and was but slightly burned, but Mrs. Miller sit in a chair with the baby boy of fourteen months in her arms, and before she could escape she was enveloped in flames and the child seriously burned. Mr. Miller caught up the child and after several minutes succeeded putting out the flames, then ran to his wife, who was running about the house screaming. He finally succeeded in getting an overcoat wrapped about her and smothered out the flames. A doctor was called and the two were given the best of care, but of no avail. The child, having its eyes put out, nostrils burned and lungs scalded, died before night and was buried Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Miller lived until 2:30 p. m. Monday when she died and the funeral was held at the home Tuesday p. m. at 2:30. The Odd Fellows and Rebeccas attended the funeral in a body. This is a severe blow to Mr. Miller and other relatives as well. The warmest sympathy is extended the bereaved ones from the entire public.