November 9, 1937

MRS. MAUZY, OF MCGAHEYSVILLE, DIES OF BURNS

Clothes Catch Fire While Burning Leaves In Her Garden - County Stunned

Gust of Wind Sweeps Flames To Her Dress

Rushes Into Home, Wrapped Self In Blanket, Called Relatives - Prominent Family

Her clothing ignited while she was burning leaves in the garden of her home, at McGaheysville yesterday morning at eleven o'clock, Mrs. Nettie Yancey Mauzy, aged 60, widow of W. L. Mauzy, McGaheysville merchant, died from burns at Rockingham Memorial Hospital last night at 6:05.

Mrs. Mauzy was alone at the time, and after her clothing caught fire, when a gust of wind swept flames to her dress, she had the presence of mind to go to the house, and wrap herself in a blanket to smother the fire. She telephoned her sister-in-law, Mrs. Frank Yancey, to come immediately but did not give any hint of her suffering. Mrs. Yancey and neighbors rushed to the house, and found Mrs. Mauzy in agony.

BURNED FROM HEAD TO FOOT

Mrs. Mauzy was burned from head to foot, and news of the tragedy stunned the McGaheysville community, where the Mauzy and Yancey families are among the oldest inhabitants. The accident occurred in the center of town.

A daughter of Captain William B. and Victoria Winsborough Yancey, Mrs. Mauzy was born at Yancey, in East Rockingham. The Yancey and Mauzy families have always been prominent in the life of the county and their ancestors were among the first settlers in the Shenandoah Valley. Her father was a Confederate soldier.

Mrs. Mauzy had many friends in Harrisonburg, where she attended private school as a girl. While here, she stayed with her brother, William L. Yancey. She also attended school at Hagerstown, Md.

Mrs. Mauzy was an active member of the Methodist Church.