Nelson, Bertha 1835 - 1898

NELSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/27/2013 at 16:46:31

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 4 August 1898.

Between 6:00 and 7:00 PM July 27 Mrs. Bertha Nelson, living about 8 miles west of Decorah, was burned to death. She was out in the field alone, smoking a pipe, when a spark fell on her dress. A brisk breeze was blowing which fanned the blaze, burning all her clothing and charring her flesh. Her screams for help was heard by her daughter who hastened to her assistance, but before she could reach her mother the old lady was dead.

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Submitter is not related.

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Iowa Plain Dealer August 2, 1898, FP, C5

Woman Burned to Death
Decorah, July 29.—Mrs. Bertha Nelson living about eight miles west of Decorah, was burned to death Tuesday evening. She was out in a field alone, smoking a pipe, when a spark fell on her dress. A brisk breeze was blowing, which fanned the spark into a blaze, burning all her clothing and charring her flesh. Her screams for help were heard by her daughter, who hastened to her assistance, but before she could reach her mother, the old lady was dead.

Added by Joy Moore Nov. 8, 2020

Source: Decorah Republican July 28, 1898 P 4 C 2

BURNED TO DEATH.
Mrs. Bertha Nelson, of Madison township, the Victim of her Pipe.
Tuesday evening about supper time, Mrs. Bertha Nelson, of Madison township, met a sudden and violent death as the result of flames starting in her clothing from a spark from her pipe. Mrs. Nelson was out in a field and was smoking a pipe, when a spark from it fell into her clothing, igniting it. At the time the wind was blowing and the spark was fanned into a flame, causing all her clothing to be burned and charring the flesh almost to a crisp. Her cries attracted her daughter but before assistance could reach her she was dead.
The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. N. was between fifty and sixty-years of age, quite a healthy, strong woman, doing all her own work. She enjoyed an extended acquaintance and much sympathy is expressed for the family in their terrible affliction.

Transcriber's Note: Find a Grave shows she was born Oct. 23, 1835 and died July 26, 1898. She is buried in Madison Lutheran Cemetery.

Madison Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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