Ludwig Carl Pape was married twice:
Mary Wolff (1855-1887) on 03/02/1878 Madison County, IL
Katie Wiesemann (1865-1930) on 08/02/1891 Madison County, IL
From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, Friday, December 26, 1924, page 1:
Louis Pape, 70 years old, well known retired farmer of Prairietown and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 4 years old lost their lives last night in a fire which burned their home to the ground and it was late this morning when the body of Mr. Pape was found. The child's body has not yet been recovered. Mrs. Pape, and another grandchild, were painfully burned before they were rescued.
Only a few days ago David Pape, 9 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pape of St. Louis county was burned to death in a fire. In that case, also, the home was entirely consumed and members of the family became hysterical as they stood by and realized that the boy could not be saved. So far as known the families are not related.
The children in last night's fire are those of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Schaefer, the mother being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pape. The family had spent a pleasant Christmas together, Mr. Pape taking great interest in the children.
F.H. Baker, an Edwardsville clothier, and family visited his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker at Prairietown yesterday. She lives in a home adjoining that of the Pape family. Mr. Boeker and Mr. Pape had a pleasant conversation during the day.
The cause of the fire or place where it started will probably never be known. The home, a large two-story residence, was entirely burned so that an investigation will establish little or nothing. All of the evidence has been consumed.
Mr. Pape and the child losing his life occupied a room on the second floor and Mrs. Pape and the other child were sleeping on the first floor. From information today it appears that the four had retired for the night. An overheated stove may have started the blaze.
A Christmas dance was in progress at one of the halls at Prairietown and it was only a few minutes until the word reached the merrymakers. Those at the party and others in the village rushed to the dwelling. They formed a bucket brigade and attempted to smother the fire but it had gained too great headway.
In early reports this morning it could not be learned who discovered the fire. The early arrivals were able to enter the room occupied by Mrs. Pape and the one grandson and took them to places of safety among neighbors. Vainless efforts were made to reach the other two who were overcome and fell to perish in the flame.
By this time the flames were so hot that those who had gathered were forced to stand back. The sleet storm of last week has entirely isolated Prairietown from outside communication. First aid treatment was given Mrs. Pape and the boy while someone drove to Bunker Hill and secured Dr. Bley.
Another party set out for Worden to get Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer and a third, not knowing the second had departed, drove to Edwardsville to notify Deputy Coroner F.L. Laudley. It was nearly 4 o'clock when Deputy Leadley learned of the fire and he and E.P. Schneider set out. Deputy Meyer had reached the scene and the others returned home.
The fire had nearly burned out when the two from Edwardsville reached the scene but the debris was so hot that little could be done.
Mr. Pape is a member of an old family of the community and was born on the Springfield road. Besides the widow he is survived by two children by the first marriage, Mrs. Louis Weishaupt and Ferdinand Pape and three by the second marriage, Mrs. Schaefer, Mrs. Minnie Slachman and Louis Pape.
There are two brothers, Fred and Ferdinand Pape of near Prairietown; Mrs. Reinhard Henke and Mrs. Christ Henke, who live north of town and Mrs. William Sievers of Worden.
E.F. Knoche, a nephew of Mr. Pape and one of two truck drivers who hauls milk to the Clover Leaf Dairy each morning, brought the first definite news of the fire to Edwardsville at noon today. He said the torso of his uncle was found at 9:30 o'clock but no traces had been seen of the boy.
During the investigation this morning Mr. Knoche said that it appears the blaze started in the kitchen, probably from the stove when it became too hot. He said a piano and a few other pieces of furniture were taken out by some of the early arrivals at the fire.
Mr. Knoche is nursing a painfully injured hand today from his part in fighting the fire. He noticed that the flames had not reached the section of the house occupied by the two victims and believed he could rescue them. Placing a long ladder to the window sill he climbed it. He could see Mr. Pape moving about in the room, probably dazed from the smoke.
Mr. Knoche broke in the window with his hands and was ready to crawl into the room when a cloud of smoke forced him back. He was ready for a second attempt when someone stopped him. Mr. Knoche called to Mr. Pape, hoping to direct him to the window but he failed to hear the call or was unable to reach the window.
No arrangements had been made for the funerals when Mr. Knoche left home about 10 o'clock.
From the Intelligencer, Saturday, December 27, 1924, page 1:
The explosion of a coal oil lamp, with oil from it and a coal oil burner kindling the flames, may have been the cause of a fire Christmas night which resulted in the deaths of Louis Pape, 70-year-old retired farmer, and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 2 years old. The inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer of Worden separate verdicts being returned that they were burned to death.
Mrs. Katie Pape, widow of the senior victim of the fire, was the principal witness at the inquest yesterday. She did not state positively that the lamp exploded. She said she was attracted to the kitchen after she heard something fall. She found the kitchen in flames.
Mrs. Pape testified that she and one grandchild slept down stairs and the two victims slept upstairs. Members of the family went to bed about 10 o'clock.
She said that they had let the fires in all of the stoves burn down as usual and banked them with wood the same as other nights. She said the oil lamp was left burning in the kitchen and a coal oil heater upstairs. Continuing she says, "I woke up about 30 minutes later and heard something fall. I got up and went to the kitchen door and saw the room all in flames. I ran to the stair door to awaken my husband and little Victor. Neighbors held me back and said the smoke was too great and I would suffocate if I went in the room."
Some of the early arrivals reached the burning house within a few minutes after Mrs. Pape's startling discovery. Their actions saved Mrs. Pape and one of the children.
The other witness at the inquest was H.J. Braasch. He testified of finding the body of Victor lying along the south wall and near a part of the building where the steps lead up to the sleeping rooms.
Members of the coroner's jury were: Harry Gunkel, Edward Uelsmann, C.W. Engelke, H.A. Henke, H.J. Braasch and H.A. Grote.
The double funeral of grandfather and grandson will be held Sunday afternoon at the Prairietown Lutheran church. Burial will be made at the Prairietown cemetery.
F.H. Boeker drove to Prairietown yesterday afternoon to visit his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker, 85 years old, and who lives in an adjoining home. Her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Ellis, discovered the fire and ran down the street to give an alarm. Mrs. Boeker had a fear of the fire spreading to her home and had many articles tied up in sheets, ready to carry them out. The snow and sleet prevented the spreading of the fire to other buildings.
Yesterday it was recalled that Mr. Pape and the child would have been saved had he broken out a window and stepped onto a porch. It is believed that he picked up the boy and started down the stairs leading into the kitchen where he was overcome by smoke. The position of the bodies indicated that.
Mary Wolff (1855-1887) on 03/02/1878 Madison County, IL
Katie Wiesemann (1865-1930) on 08/02/1891 Madison County, IL
From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, Friday, December 26, 1924, page 1:
Louis Pape, 70 years old, well known retired farmer of Prairietown and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 4 years old lost their lives last night in a fire which burned their home to the ground and it was late this morning when the body of Mr. Pape was found. The child's body has not yet been recovered. Mrs. Pape, and another grandchild, were painfully burned before they were rescued.
Only a few days ago David Pape, 9 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pape of St. Louis county was burned to death in a fire. In that case, also, the home was entirely consumed and members of the family became hysterical as they stood by and realized that the boy could not be saved. So far as known the families are not related.
The children in last night's fire are those of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Schaefer, the mother being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pape. The family had spent a pleasant Christmas together, Mr. Pape taking great interest in the children.
F.H. Baker, an Edwardsville clothier, and family visited his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker at Prairietown yesterday. She lives in a home adjoining that of the Pape family. Mr. Boeker and Mr. Pape had a pleasant conversation during the day.
The cause of the fire or place where it started will probably never be known. The home, a large two-story residence, was entirely burned so that an investigation will establish little or nothing. All of the evidence has been consumed.
Mr. Pape and the child losing his life occupied a room on the second floor and Mrs. Pape and the other child were sleeping on the first floor. From information today it appears that the four had retired for the night. An overheated stove may have started the blaze.
A Christmas dance was in progress at one of the halls at Prairietown and it was only a few minutes until the word reached the merrymakers. Those at the party and others in the village rushed to the dwelling. They formed a bucket brigade and attempted to smother the fire but it had gained too great headway.
In early reports this morning it could not be learned who discovered the fire. The early arrivals were able to enter the room occupied by Mrs. Pape and the one grandson and took them to places of safety among neighbors. Vainless efforts were made to reach the other two who were overcome and fell to perish in the flame.
By this time the flames were so hot that those who had gathered were forced to stand back. The sleet storm of last week has entirely isolated Prairietown from outside communication. First aid treatment was given Mrs. Pape and the boy while someone drove to Bunker Hill and secured Dr. Bley.
Another party set out for Worden to get Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer and a third, not knowing the second had departed, drove to Edwardsville to notify Deputy Coroner F.L. Laudley. It was nearly 4 o'clock when Deputy Leadley learned of the fire and he and E.P. Schneider set out. Deputy Meyer had reached the scene and the others returned home.
The fire had nearly burned out when the two from Edwardsville reached the scene but the debris was so hot that little could be done.
Mr. Pape is a member of an old family of the community and was born on the Springfield road. Besides the widow he is survived by two children by the first marriage, Mrs. Louis Weishaupt and Ferdinand Pape and three by the second marriage, Mrs. Schaefer, Mrs. Minnie Slachman and Louis Pape.
There are two brothers, Fred and Ferdinand Pape of near Prairietown; Mrs. Reinhard Henke and Mrs. Christ Henke, who live north of town and Mrs. William Sievers of Worden.
E.F. Knoche, a nephew of Mr. Pape and one of two truck drivers who hauls milk to the Clover Leaf Dairy each morning, brought the first definite news of the fire to Edwardsville at noon today. He said the torso of his uncle was found at 9:30 o'clock but no traces had been seen of the boy.
During the investigation this morning Mr. Knoche said that it appears the blaze started in the kitchen, probably from the stove when it became too hot. He said a piano and a few other pieces of furniture were taken out by some of the early arrivals at the fire.
Mr. Knoche is nursing a painfully injured hand today from his part in fighting the fire. He noticed that the flames had not reached the section of the house occupied by the two victims and believed he could rescue them. Placing a long ladder to the window sill he climbed it. He could see Mr. Pape moving about in the room, probably dazed from the smoke.
Mr. Knoche broke in the window with his hands and was ready to crawl into the room when a cloud of smoke forced him back. He was ready for a second attempt when someone stopped him. Mr. Knoche called to Mr. Pape, hoping to direct him to the window but he failed to hear the call or was unable to reach the window.
No arrangements had been made for the funerals when Mr. Knoche left home about 10 o'clock.
From the Intelligencer, Saturday, December 27, 1924, page 1:
The explosion of a coal oil lamp, with oil from it and a coal oil burner kindling the flames, may have been the cause of a fire Christmas night which resulted in the deaths of Louis Pape, 70-year-old retired farmer, and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 2 years old. The inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer of Worden separate verdicts being returned that they were burned to death.
Mrs. Katie Pape, widow of the senior victim of the fire, was the principal witness at the inquest yesterday. She did not state positively that the lamp exploded. She said she was attracted to the kitchen after she heard something fall. She found the kitchen in flames.
Mrs. Pape testified that she and one grandchild slept down stairs and the two victims slept upstairs. Members of the family went to bed about 10 o'clock.
She said that they had let the fires in all of the stoves burn down as usual and banked them with wood the same as other nights. She said the oil lamp was left burning in the kitchen and a coal oil heater upstairs. Continuing she says, "I woke up about 30 minutes later and heard something fall. I got up and went to the kitchen door and saw the room all in flames. I ran to the stair door to awaken my husband and little Victor. Neighbors held me back and said the smoke was too great and I would suffocate if I went in the room."
Some of the early arrivals reached the burning house within a few minutes after Mrs. Pape's startling discovery. Their actions saved Mrs. Pape and one of the children.
The other witness at the inquest was H.J. Braasch. He testified of finding the body of Victor lying along the south wall and near a part of the building where the steps lead up to the sleeping rooms.
Members of the coroner's jury were: Harry Gunkel, Edward Uelsmann, C.W. Engelke, H.A. Henke, H.J. Braasch and H.A. Grote.
The double funeral of grandfather and grandson will be held Sunday afternoon at the Prairietown Lutheran church. Burial will be made at the Prairietown cemetery.
F.H. Boeker drove to Prairietown yesterday afternoon to visit his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker, 85 years old, and who lives in an adjoining home. Her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Ellis, discovered the fire and ran down the street to give an alarm. Mrs. Boeker had a fear of the fire spreading to her home and had many articles tied up in sheets, ready to carry them out. The snow and sleet prevented the spreading of the fire to other buildings.
Yesterday it was recalled that Mr. Pape and the child would have been saved had he broken out a window and stepped onto a porch. It is believed that he picked up the boy and started down the stairs leading into the kitchen where he was overcome by smoke. The position of the bodies indicated that.
Ludwig Carl Pape was married twice:
Mary Wolff (1855-1887) on 03/02/1878 Madison County, IL
Katie Wiesemann (1865-1930) on 08/02/1891 Madison County, IL
From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, Friday, December 26, 1924, page 1:
Louis Pape, 70 years old, well known retired farmer of Prairietown and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 4 years old lost their lives last night in a fire which burned their home to the ground and it was late this morning when the body of Mr. Pape was found. The child's body has not yet been recovered. Mrs. Pape, and another grandchild, were painfully burned before they were rescued.
Only a few days ago David Pape, 9 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pape of St. Louis county was burned to death in a fire. In that case, also, the home was entirely consumed and members of the family became hysterical as they stood by and realized that the boy could not be saved. So far as known the families are not related.
The children in last night's fire are those of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Schaefer, the mother being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pape. The family had spent a pleasant Christmas together, Mr. Pape taking great interest in the children.
F.H. Baker, an Edwardsville clothier, and family visited his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker at Prairietown yesterday. She lives in a home adjoining that of the Pape family. Mr. Boeker and Mr. Pape had a pleasant conversation during the day.
The cause of the fire or place where it started will probably never be known. The home, a large two-story residence, was entirely burned so that an investigation will establish little or nothing. All of the evidence has been consumed.
Mr. Pape and the child losing his life occupied a room on the second floor and Mrs. Pape and the other child were sleeping on the first floor. From information today it appears that the four had retired for the night. An overheated stove may have started the blaze.
A Christmas dance was in progress at one of the halls at Prairietown and it was only a few minutes until the word reached the merrymakers. Those at the party and others in the village rushed to the dwelling. They formed a bucket brigade and attempted to smother the fire but it had gained too great headway.
In early reports this morning it could not be learned who discovered the fire. The early arrivals were able to enter the room occupied by Mrs. Pape and the one grandson and took them to places of safety among neighbors. Vainless efforts were made to reach the other two who were overcome and fell to perish in the flame.
By this time the flames were so hot that those who had gathered were forced to stand back. The sleet storm of last week has entirely isolated Prairietown from outside communication. First aid treatment was given Mrs. Pape and the boy while someone drove to Bunker Hill and secured Dr. Bley.
Another party set out for Worden to get Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer and a third, not knowing the second had departed, drove to Edwardsville to notify Deputy Coroner F.L. Laudley. It was nearly 4 o'clock when Deputy Leadley learned of the fire and he and E.P. Schneider set out. Deputy Meyer had reached the scene and the others returned home.
The fire had nearly burned out when the two from Edwardsville reached the scene but the debris was so hot that little could be done.
Mr. Pape is a member of an old family of the community and was born on the Springfield road. Besides the widow he is survived by two children by the first marriage, Mrs. Louis Weishaupt and Ferdinand Pape and three by the second marriage, Mrs. Schaefer, Mrs. Minnie Slachman and Louis Pape.
There are two brothers, Fred and Ferdinand Pape of near Prairietown; Mrs. Reinhard Henke and Mrs. Christ Henke, who live north of town and Mrs. William Sievers of Worden.
E.F. Knoche, a nephew of Mr. Pape and one of two truck drivers who hauls milk to the Clover Leaf Dairy each morning, brought the first definite news of the fire to Edwardsville at noon today. He said the torso of his uncle was found at 9:30 o'clock but no traces had been seen of the boy.
During the investigation this morning Mr. Knoche said that it appears the blaze started in the kitchen, probably from the stove when it became too hot. He said a piano and a few other pieces of furniture were taken out by some of the early arrivals at the fire.
Mr. Knoche is nursing a painfully injured hand today from his part in fighting the fire. He noticed that the flames had not reached the section of the house occupied by the two victims and believed he could rescue them. Placing a long ladder to the window sill he climbed it. He could see Mr. Pape moving about in the room, probably dazed from the smoke.
Mr. Knoche broke in the window with his hands and was ready to crawl into the room when a cloud of smoke forced him back. He was ready for a second attempt when someone stopped him. Mr. Knoche called to Mr. Pape, hoping to direct him to the window but he failed to hear the call or was unable to reach the window.
No arrangements had been made for the funerals when Mr. Knoche left home about 10 o'clock.
From the Intelligencer, Saturday, December 27, 1924, page 1:
The explosion of a coal oil lamp, with oil from it and a coal oil burner kindling the flames, may have been the cause of a fire Christmas night which resulted in the deaths of Louis Pape, 70-year-old retired farmer, and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 2 years old. The inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer of Worden separate verdicts being returned that they were burned to death.
Mrs. Katie Pape, widow of the senior victim of the fire, was the principal witness at the inquest yesterday. She did not state positively that the lamp exploded. She said she was attracted to the kitchen after she heard something fall. She found the kitchen in flames.
Mrs. Pape testified that she and one grandchild slept down stairs and the two victims slept upstairs. Members of the family went to bed about 10 o'clock.
She said that they had let the fires in all of the stoves burn down as usual and banked them with wood the same as other nights. She said the oil lamp was left burning in the kitchen and a coal oil heater upstairs. Continuing she says, "I woke up about 30 minutes later and heard something fall. I got up and went to the kitchen door and saw the room all in flames. I ran to the stair door to awaken my husband and little Victor. Neighbors held me back and said the smoke was too great and I would suffocate if I went in the room."
Some of the early arrivals reached the burning house within a few minutes after Mrs. Pape's startling discovery. Their actions saved Mrs. Pape and one of the children.
The other witness at the inquest was H.J. Braasch. He testified of finding the body of Victor lying along the south wall and near a part of the building where the steps lead up to the sleeping rooms.
Members of the coroner's jury were: Harry Gunkel, Edward Uelsmann, C.W. Engelke, H.A. Henke, H.J. Braasch and H.A. Grote.
The double funeral of grandfather and grandson will be held Sunday afternoon at the Prairietown Lutheran church. Burial will be made at the Prairietown cemetery.
F.H. Boeker drove to Prairietown yesterday afternoon to visit his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker, 85 years old, and who lives in an adjoining home. Her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Ellis, discovered the fire and ran down the street to give an alarm. Mrs. Boeker had a fear of the fire spreading to her home and had many articles tied up in sheets, ready to carry them out. The snow and sleet prevented the spreading of the fire to other buildings.
Yesterday it was recalled that Mr. Pape and the child would have been saved had he broken out a window and stepped onto a porch. It is believed that he picked up the boy and started down the stairs leading into the kitchen where he was overcome by smoke. The position of the bodies indicated that.
Mary Wolff (1855-1887) on 03/02/1878 Madison County, IL
Katie Wiesemann (1865-1930) on 08/02/1891 Madison County, IL
From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, Friday, December 26, 1924, page 1:
Louis Pape, 70 years old, well known retired farmer of Prairietown and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 4 years old lost their lives last night in a fire which burned their home to the ground and it was late this morning when the body of Mr. Pape was found. The child's body has not yet been recovered. Mrs. Pape, and another grandchild, were painfully burned before they were rescued.
Only a few days ago David Pape, 9 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pape of St. Louis county was burned to death in a fire. In that case, also, the home was entirely consumed and members of the family became hysterical as they stood by and realized that the boy could not be saved. So far as known the families are not related.
The children in last night's fire are those of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Schaefer, the mother being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pape. The family had spent a pleasant Christmas together, Mr. Pape taking great interest in the children.
F.H. Baker, an Edwardsville clothier, and family visited his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker at Prairietown yesterday. She lives in a home adjoining that of the Pape family. Mr. Boeker and Mr. Pape had a pleasant conversation during the day.
The cause of the fire or place where it started will probably never be known. The home, a large two-story residence, was entirely burned so that an investigation will establish little or nothing. All of the evidence has been consumed.
Mr. Pape and the child losing his life occupied a room on the second floor and Mrs. Pape and the other child were sleeping on the first floor. From information today it appears that the four had retired for the night. An overheated stove may have started the blaze.
A Christmas dance was in progress at one of the halls at Prairietown and it was only a few minutes until the word reached the merrymakers. Those at the party and others in the village rushed to the dwelling. They formed a bucket brigade and attempted to smother the fire but it had gained too great headway.
In early reports this morning it could not be learned who discovered the fire. The early arrivals were able to enter the room occupied by Mrs. Pape and the one grandson and took them to places of safety among neighbors. Vainless efforts were made to reach the other two who were overcome and fell to perish in the flame.
By this time the flames were so hot that those who had gathered were forced to stand back. The sleet storm of last week has entirely isolated Prairietown from outside communication. First aid treatment was given Mrs. Pape and the boy while someone drove to Bunker Hill and secured Dr. Bley.
Another party set out for Worden to get Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer and a third, not knowing the second had departed, drove to Edwardsville to notify Deputy Coroner F.L. Laudley. It was nearly 4 o'clock when Deputy Leadley learned of the fire and he and E.P. Schneider set out. Deputy Meyer had reached the scene and the others returned home.
The fire had nearly burned out when the two from Edwardsville reached the scene but the debris was so hot that little could be done.
Mr. Pape is a member of an old family of the community and was born on the Springfield road. Besides the widow he is survived by two children by the first marriage, Mrs. Louis Weishaupt and Ferdinand Pape and three by the second marriage, Mrs. Schaefer, Mrs. Minnie Slachman and Louis Pape.
There are two brothers, Fred and Ferdinand Pape of near Prairietown; Mrs. Reinhard Henke and Mrs. Christ Henke, who live north of town and Mrs. William Sievers of Worden.
E.F. Knoche, a nephew of Mr. Pape and one of two truck drivers who hauls milk to the Clover Leaf Dairy each morning, brought the first definite news of the fire to Edwardsville at noon today. He said the torso of his uncle was found at 9:30 o'clock but no traces had been seen of the boy.
During the investigation this morning Mr. Knoche said that it appears the blaze started in the kitchen, probably from the stove when it became too hot. He said a piano and a few other pieces of furniture were taken out by some of the early arrivals at the fire.
Mr. Knoche is nursing a painfully injured hand today from his part in fighting the fire. He noticed that the flames had not reached the section of the house occupied by the two victims and believed he could rescue them. Placing a long ladder to the window sill he climbed it. He could see Mr. Pape moving about in the room, probably dazed from the smoke.
Mr. Knoche broke in the window with his hands and was ready to crawl into the room when a cloud of smoke forced him back. He was ready for a second attempt when someone stopped him. Mr. Knoche called to Mr. Pape, hoping to direct him to the window but he failed to hear the call or was unable to reach the window.
No arrangements had been made for the funerals when Mr. Knoche left home about 10 o'clock.
From the Intelligencer, Saturday, December 27, 1924, page 1:
The explosion of a coal oil lamp, with oil from it and a coal oil burner kindling the flames, may have been the cause of a fire Christmas night which resulted in the deaths of Louis Pape, 70-year-old retired farmer, and his grandson, Victor Schaefer, 2 years old. The inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Deputy Coroner A.J. Meyer of Worden separate verdicts being returned that they were burned to death.
Mrs. Katie Pape, widow of the senior victim of the fire, was the principal witness at the inquest yesterday. She did not state positively that the lamp exploded. She said she was attracted to the kitchen after she heard something fall. She found the kitchen in flames.
Mrs. Pape testified that she and one grandchild slept down stairs and the two victims slept upstairs. Members of the family went to bed about 10 o'clock.
She said that they had let the fires in all of the stoves burn down as usual and banked them with wood the same as other nights. She said the oil lamp was left burning in the kitchen and a coal oil heater upstairs. Continuing she says, "I woke up about 30 minutes later and heard something fall. I got up and went to the kitchen door and saw the room all in flames. I ran to the stair door to awaken my husband and little Victor. Neighbors held me back and said the smoke was too great and I would suffocate if I went in the room."
Some of the early arrivals reached the burning house within a few minutes after Mrs. Pape's startling discovery. Their actions saved Mrs. Pape and one of the children.
The other witness at the inquest was H.J. Braasch. He testified of finding the body of Victor lying along the south wall and near a part of the building where the steps lead up to the sleeping rooms.
Members of the coroner's jury were: Harry Gunkel, Edward Uelsmann, C.W. Engelke, H.A. Henke, H.J. Braasch and H.A. Grote.
The double funeral of grandfather and grandson will be held Sunday afternoon at the Prairietown Lutheran church. Burial will be made at the Prairietown cemetery.
F.H. Boeker drove to Prairietown yesterday afternoon to visit his mother, Mrs. Louisa Boeker, 85 years old, and who lives in an adjoining home. Her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Ellis, discovered the fire and ran down the street to give an alarm. Mrs. Boeker had a fear of the fire spreading to her home and had many articles tied up in sheets, ready to carry them out. The snow and sleet prevented the spreading of the fire to other buildings.
Yesterday it was recalled that Mr. Pape and the child would have been saved had he broken out a window and stepped onto a porch. It is believed that he picked up the boy and started down the stairs leading into the kitchen where he was overcome by smoke. The position of the bodies indicated that.
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