Mrs. Sprotsman d. 1893

SPROTSMAN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 20:02:08

A TERRIBLE DEATH.

An Old Lady Fatally Burned With Coal Oil - The House Ruined.

Tuesday evening Mrs. Sprotsman, living on the Marion Gabbie place, about two and a half miles east of Bonaparte, was fatally burned with coal oil.

She had been filling a lamp and spilled some of the oil on her clothing and the floor. She lit the oil on the floor for the purpose of burning it up. The flame flashed up suddenly, igniting the oil on her clothing, burning her in a fatal manner. A daughter-in-law present, realizing the situation, attempted to extinguish the flames and was also burned in a painful manner. A baby was also burned, but not seriously.

The furniture and interior of the house was about ruined before the flames were extinguished.

Mrs. Sprotsman lived several hours after the accident and suffered excruciating pain. She was about 84 years old, and was therefore helpless.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 6, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.