The Lamoni Chronicle
November 26, 1905

Burned to Death.

Last Friday, as Mrs. Oscar SPRINGLE, who lived just north of New Buda, was preparing dinner she caught her clothing on fire and received burns that caused her death.

It seems that Mrs. SPRINKLE had a kettle of beans cooking on the rear of the stove. She lifted the lid on the front of the stove, put in some fuel and taking hold of the corner of her apron reached across the stove, over the open fire, to move the kettle to the front hole where she had put in the fresh fuel. Her apron caught fire, and, after vainly endeavoring to extinguish the fire, she ran into the yard. Here a couple of men, who were unloading corn near, came to her assistance; one ran for water, but by the time her returned, the other man had stripped the burning clothing from her body but not until her limbs, abdomen, back, hair and one ear were frightfully burned.

Drs. FOXWORTHY of Leon, and REED of Davis City were called and did all that medical skill could suggest to alleviate her sufferings until death came to her release, Saturday morning, about seven o'clock.

Mrs. SPRINKLE was born in Kentucky in 1882. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. SCOTT, who reside north of Davis City. Deceased was married to Mr. SPRINKLE in 1898, and to this union were born four children, one of whom preceded its mother to the beyond.

The funeral was held at the M. E. church in Davis City, Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, sermon by Rev. SMITH, a Baptist minister, to a large congregation of sympathizing friends and neighbors. The bereaved family have the deepest sympathy of the entire community.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
May 9, 2003