Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, April 27, l902

A heartrending accident occurred at the home of MR. BUFFUM MELTON who lives on the William Young farem near Wataga, Mo., about l2 miles west of Lineville, about l0 o'clock Saturday morning, April 5th. MR. MELTON was at work in the field and MRS. MELTON was out in the garden, leaving their three year old daughter, FAIRY MARIE, playing in the house. When MRS. MELTON returned to the house she detected the odor of burning cloth, and found ashes on the floor, but could not find the little girl in the house. She then went out in the yard and was horror-struck to find the little one lying on the ground with all her clothing burned off and the skin and flesh burned to a crisp. She was tenderly carried into the house and Dr. O.E. Macey, of Pleasanton hastily summoned, but the child was beyond medical aid, her spirit taking its flight about four hours after the accident occurred. It is supposed her clothes became ignited while playing with the fire in the stove.

The funeral was held on Sunday, April 6th, services being conducted by Elder A.E. Hatch, of Leon, at New Zion School House, the interment being at the Hollar's Cemetery, 4 miles southwest of Lineville.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
February 9, 2003