Pike County Democrat Jan17,1896
The two children of George Spraggins burned to death The parents of the children are overcome with grief. Yesterday morning at six o'clock the house of George Spraggins at Littles was burned to the ground and his two children met a horrible death. The particulars as we learned them from J.W. Wiggs, who teaches the Littles School, are as follows:
Mr. Spraggins works in the mines at Littles and had gone to work, while his wife had gone to the stable to do some feeding. When she had finished the work and was returning to the house, she noticed the flames issuing from the roof of the house. She started on a run to the house and had just opened the door when the roof fell in burying her two children from her sight. The mother was almost overcome at the sight and fought to gain possession of the children, but to no avail. The children were taken from the ruins about ten o'clock, charred and blackened. Mrs. Spraggins was badly burned as was also Mrs. Adams, a neighbor, who hastened to the fire when the alarm was sounded. The mines were shut down as soon as the alarm was given and the men turned out to fight the fire end rescue the children, but it was too late. The school was shut down until Monday. So great is the excitement what has so suddenly been cast over the people of the neighborhood in the death of these children. Hundreds of people have visited the scene of the fire. The parents have the sympathy of all people in their sad bereavement.
Pike County Democrat Jan17,1896
The two children of George Spraggins burned to death The parents of the children are overcome with grief. Yesterday morning at six o'clock the house of George Spraggins at Littles was burned to the ground and his two children met a horrible death. The particulars as we learned them from J.W. Wiggs, who teaches the Littles School, are as follows:
Mr. Spraggins works in the mines at Littles and had gone to work, while his wife had gone to the stable to do some feeding. When she had finished the work and was returning to the house, she noticed the flames issuing from the roof of the house. She started on a run to the house and had just opened the door when the roof fell in burying her two children from her sight. The mother was almost overcome at the sight and fought to gain possession of the children, but to no avail. The children were taken from the ruins about ten o'clock, charred and blackened. Mrs. Spraggins was badly burned as was also Mrs. Adams, a neighbor, who hastened to the fire when the alarm was sounded. The mines were shut down as soon as the alarm was given and the men turned out to fight the fire end rescue the children, but it was too late. The school was shut down until Monday. So great is the excitement what has so suddenly been cast over the people of the neighborhood in the death of these children. Hundreds of people have visited the scene of the fire. The parents have the sympathy of all people in their sad bereavement.
Inscription
Top
Gone Home
Center
Amanda E. And Willie R
Children of George and
Mary E. Spraggins
Bottom
Burned to death
In their home
January 16, 1896