Herbert King

KING

Posted By: Volunteer: Roxanne Riggan
Date: 6/10/2012 at 17:14:54

DEATH AND FIRE VISIT KING HOME

THURSDAY MORNING

Starting Fire With Kerosene From Can Which Exploded, Home Destroyed.
H. King Dead.

The fire department was called to the home of Herbert King on the corner of N. Bloomfield and W. Locust streets about 5 o’clock Thursday morning. The fire had made rapid headway before the alarm was rung in and the house and its contents were totally destroyed.

The fire originated when Herbert King arose and dressed in the morning, he went to the kitchen to start a fire in the range, kindling was place in the stove, on what was apparently a dead bed of coals, Mr. King then poured from the kerosene can a quantity of oil on the kindling which resulted in an explosion of the can, which saturated Mr. Kings’s clothing and spread flaming oil to all parts of the room. Mrs. King came to Mr. Kings assistance but the kitchen was so much in flames that she was compelled to go around the house to another door through which Mr. King made his way, where she attempted to smother the flames with a blanket. The flames were extinguished but not until they had burned Mr. King so severely that doubts were expressed on the arrival of Drs. Giles, Shelton and Toben, for his recovery. Mr. King lived until about 11:15 Thursday forenoon when his death came.

Mrs. King was burned about the hands in attempting to put out the fire, and is suffering from the shocks and exposure from the severe weather when the fire forced her from home without clothing.

The house and contents loss will probably amount to $8,000.00 and whether or not it was insured could not be learned.

Mr. King leaves his wife, one son and one daughter, who are expected home today. Pending their arrival no funeral arrangements have been made.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 394, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA