School House Burned in Woodland

Last Thursday evening about 7 o'clock the school house near Isaac Loucks' in Woodland township, was discovered to be on fire by Mr. Loucks, who lives about a quarter of a mile from the school house. Leaving his wife and little granddaughter in the house, he hurried to the fire with his two daughters and Miss Gussie Lyon, who was teaching the school and boarding with Mr. Loucks. The school ma'am was first on the ground, but only succeeded in getting out a bench, as the roof and ceiling were enveloped in flames and the room was full of smoke. It was a frame building ceiled with pine and was not long in burning down. As two school houses had been burned in the district before this one, the report was circulated that it was set on fire, but Mr. L. is positive that it caught in the flue, from the way it was burning when he reached there. It will probably deprive the district of school privileges for some time.

On returning from the fire in about an hour the family were horrified to find Mrs. Loucks sitting on the lounge dead! Ollie Parks, the little three-year old girl, said her grandmother fell asleep, and she got a pillow and tried to have her lie down, but she wouldn't. She was a stout, healthy woman, but had complained a few times recently of pain in the heart and shortness of breath. Drs. Layton and Van Werden made a post mortem examination and found that her death was caused by heart disease. It was undoubtedly superinduced by fright, as she insisted on going to the fire with the family instead of staying home. She was 62 years old Nov. 30, and was respected by her neighbors and acquaintances. The funeral was held on Sunday, the remains being buried in the Leon Cemetery.

We understand Mrs. Loucks was insured in the Centennial for $2,500.

Copied by Judy Chastain
February 21, 2003