Decatur County Journal

November 23, l905

'A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT'

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MRS. SPRINKLE, of New Buda Township, Loses Her Life in the Flames.

Last Friday forenoon, about ll o'clock, a frightful accident occurred at

the home of OSCAR SPRINKLE, two miles south of Davis City, as a result

of which MRS. SPRINKLE lost her life. She was engaged in preparing the

family dinner on a range in which coal was used as the fuel. With her

apron she removed a kettle of beans from one side of the range to the

other when her apron fell into the fire and instantly became enveloped

in flames. She attempted to extinguish the flames with her hands but

could not do so and becoming frightened, ran through the front room and

out at the west door and then around the southwest corner of the house

toward the barn enveloped in the flames. Two men who were unloading

corn at the barn heard her screams and ran to her assistance. They

succeeded in putting out the flames as she sank to the ground about

eighty feet from the house. MR. SPRINKLE then arrived and with

assistance, his wife was able to walk to the house. Her clothing was

nearly burned away and only her face escaped the cruel flames.

Dr. Reed, of Davis City, was called and afterwards Dr. Foxworthy, of

Leon, who reached the scene of the distressing accident about 4 o'clock

in the evening. All that devotion and medical skill could devise was

done to save her life without avail. It was seen from the first that

recovery was impossible. Her sufferings were intense and death came to

her relief Saturday morning at 7 o'clock. She was patient in her

sufferings and realized that she could not recover.

MR. SPRINKLE and family resided several years in Eden Township and then

lived on Dr. Foxworthy's farm in Clarke County. Later MR. SPRINKLE

bought a farm in New Buda Township and took possession of the same last

spring. MRS. SPRINKLE was about 23 years of age and is survived by her

husband and three small children, the youngest one year old, besides her

parents, brothers and sisters who have the deep sympathy of all in their

sad bereavement. She was a most estimable woman and her loss is great

in the home circle. Her memory will live with all who ever came under

her kindly influence.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Davis City M.E.

Church and the attendance was one of the largest ever known on such an

occasion. Rev. Smith preached the sermon and interment occurred in the

new cemetery.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

September l, 200l