| Mary Swarengan |
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Mary Swarengan, Age 7 Years, Burned to Death By Her Clothing Taking Fire Robert Swarengan, wife and three children reside on the Thos. Fuson farm, three miles south of the city. Yesterday afternoon about 3:30 Mrs. Swarengan went on an errand to one of the neighbors, leaving the children at home. This she had done before, as the eldest, Mary, who was 7 years old, had on several occasions watched and cared for the other two. The three children were outdoors playing and after getting cold went into the house to get warm. Mary walked up to the stove to receive some of the heat, when her clothing took fire. She screamed and tried to extinguish the flames, but it seemed as though the poor girl was doomed to die. She ran out into the snow, when her cries attracted the attention of her mother, who was returning home. The mother frantic with grief dropped what articles she was carrying and running to her daughter, who did not have one stitch of clothing on her, picked her up and took her into the house. So badly was the poor girl burned that wherever the mother touched her flesh the skin would adhere to her hands. Mr. Swarengan had left the house but a short time before, as he met his wife and told her to hasten home as the children were alone. The little girl lingered until 10 o'clock when she died. It was a very, very sad death and Mr. and Mrs. Swarengan have the sympathy of the entire community in their sorrow full bereavement. |