Fatal Accident
Mrs. H. E. Whitney Meets a Tragic Death by Fire from a Gasoline Stove.
About ten o'clock Monday morning a gasoline stove in the home of Dr. H. E. and J. H. Whitney in the Pease house, on Orleans street, caused a fire from the effects of which Mrs. H. E. Whitney lost her life. She was doing her customary kitchen work when the gasoline in the tank became low. As she had done dozens of times before, Mrs. Whitney took off the tank, went into another room and tilled it, not stopping to turn out the fire. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Whitney, reminded her that she should put out the fire while filling the tank, to which she replied she had done that way many times. Scarcely had the words passed her lips when in some way the tank slipped and a portion of the contents ignited with the blaze and her clothing caught fire. She was attired in a woolen wrapper and was at once enveloped in flame. She ran to the sitting room when Mrs. Whitney threw a large rug around her and succeeded in smothering the blaze. A fire alarm was turned in, but by the rare presence of mind of some of the neighbors, who secured a basket of dirt and threw on the fire, the blaze in the room was extinguished. Dr. Whitney was in the country at the time and the other doctors, Thompson, Chase, VanHorn and Clark, were summoned and did all possible to save her life. When her clothing was removed the fact was revealed that more than two-thirds of the surface of her body had been burned over. But little hope was entertained of her recovery. All through the day she was conscious and conversed with those who were caring for her, and seemed to fully realize her awful condition.
About seven o'clock the last spark of life went out and the sad news was passed from lip to lip and deep sorrow pervaded the community. Her young husband has the sincere sympathy of the community in his sudden and dire affliction. Words cannot express the feelings of sorrow this fatal calamity has caused in our midst.
This is the third fatality from a gasoil no stove occurring in this village in the past five years.
Mrs. Belle Simmons-Whitney was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Simmons, of Cooper, where the deceased was born 24 years ago. Four sisters and three brothers, a father and husband survive her. She was a general favorite in the family and after the death of her mother several years ago she was almost a mother to her younger sisters and brothers, so devoted was she to their comfort and welfare. Three years ago she professed faith in Christ and joined the Christian church at Kalamazoo. She was a true, conscientious christian, and was ever ready to do her Master's will. When she was told that there was but one chance in ten of her recovery, she did not think of self but expressed a word of sympathy for the husband whom she knew would be grief stricken by her demise. But four months ago, Saturday she was a happy bride, and life to her seemed bright, indeed, as she planned for the future. But the sad mishap changed all. Thus the uncertainty of life has again been impressed upon our people in a positive manner. Monday morning the deceased was in the enjoyment of apparent health and all bidding fair for a long and happy life, but before the sinking of the western sun her pure life came to an end with a suddenness that is almost astounding. Truly, “In the midst of life wo are in death." In such a death there is a lesson to humanity. When life Is so uncertain all should make their peace with God, and be prepared to meet death with the same serenity as did the deceased. Funeral services were held at the House Wednesday at ten o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. McDougall. Her remains were taken to Cooper where they were laid to rest beside those of her sainted mother. Otsego Union July 1, 1898 page 3
Married Howard E. Whitney 26 Feb 1898 Cooper Township, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mrs. H. E. Whitney Meets a Tragic Death by Fire from a Gasoline Stove.
About ten o'clock Monday morning a gasoline stove in the home of Dr. H. E. and J. H. Whitney in the Pease house, on Orleans street, caused a fire from the effects of which Mrs. H. E. Whitney lost her life. She was doing her customary kitchen work when the gasoline in the tank became low. As she had done dozens of times before, Mrs. Whitney took off the tank, went into another room and tilled it, not stopping to turn out the fire. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Whitney, reminded her that she should put out the fire while filling the tank, to which she replied she had done that way many times. Scarcely had the words passed her lips when in some way the tank slipped and a portion of the contents ignited with the blaze and her clothing caught fire. She was attired in a woolen wrapper and was at once enveloped in flame. She ran to the sitting room when Mrs. Whitney threw a large rug around her and succeeded in smothering the blaze. A fire alarm was turned in, but by the rare presence of mind of some of the neighbors, who secured a basket of dirt and threw on the fire, the blaze in the room was extinguished. Dr. Whitney was in the country at the time and the other doctors, Thompson, Chase, VanHorn and Clark, were summoned and did all possible to save her life. When her clothing was removed the fact was revealed that more than two-thirds of the surface of her body had been burned over. But little hope was entertained of her recovery. All through the day she was conscious and conversed with those who were caring for her, and seemed to fully realize her awful condition.
About seven o'clock the last spark of life went out and the sad news was passed from lip to lip and deep sorrow pervaded the community. Her young husband has the sincere sympathy of the community in his sudden and dire affliction. Words cannot express the feelings of sorrow this fatal calamity has caused in our midst.
This is the third fatality from a gasoil no stove occurring in this village in the past five years.
Mrs. Belle Simmons-Whitney was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Simmons, of Cooper, where the deceased was born 24 years ago. Four sisters and three brothers, a father and husband survive her. She was a general favorite in the family and after the death of her mother several years ago she was almost a mother to her younger sisters and brothers, so devoted was she to their comfort and welfare. Three years ago she professed faith in Christ and joined the Christian church at Kalamazoo. She was a true, conscientious christian, and was ever ready to do her Master's will. When she was told that there was but one chance in ten of her recovery, she did not think of self but expressed a word of sympathy for the husband whom she knew would be grief stricken by her demise. But four months ago, Saturday she was a happy bride, and life to her seemed bright, indeed, as she planned for the future. But the sad mishap changed all. Thus the uncertainty of life has again been impressed upon our people in a positive manner. Monday morning the deceased was in the enjoyment of apparent health and all bidding fair for a long and happy life, but before the sinking of the western sun her pure life came to an end with a suddenness that is almost astounding. Truly, “In the midst of life wo are in death." In such a death there is a lesson to humanity. When life Is so uncertain all should make their peace with God, and be prepared to meet death with the same serenity as did the deceased. Funeral services were held at the House Wednesday at ten o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. McDougall. Her remains were taken to Cooper where they were laid to rest beside those of her sainted mother. Otsego Union July 1, 1898 page 3
Married Howard E. Whitney 26 Feb 1898 Cooper Township, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Fatal Accident
Mrs. H. E. Whitney Meets a Tragic Death by Fire from a Gasoline Stove.
About ten o'clock Monday morning a gasoline stove in the home of Dr. H. E. and J. H. Whitney in the Pease house, on Orleans street, caused a fire from the effects of which Mrs. H. E. Whitney lost her life. She was doing her customary kitchen work when the gasoline in the tank became low. As she had done dozens of times before, Mrs. Whitney took off the tank, went into another room and tilled it, not stopping to turn out the fire. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Whitney, reminded her that she should put out the fire while filling the tank, to which she replied she had done that way many times. Scarcely had the words passed her lips when in some way the tank slipped and a portion of the contents ignited with the blaze and her clothing caught fire. She was attired in a woolen wrapper and was at once enveloped in flame. She ran to the sitting room when Mrs. Whitney threw a large rug around her and succeeded in smothering the blaze. A fire alarm was turned in, but by the rare presence of mind of some of the neighbors, who secured a basket of dirt and threw on the fire, the blaze in the room was extinguished. Dr. Whitney was in the country at the time and the other doctors, Thompson, Chase, VanHorn and Clark, were summoned and did all possible to save her life. When her clothing was removed the fact was revealed that more than two-thirds of the surface of her body had been burned over. But little hope was entertained of her recovery. All through the day she was conscious and conversed with those who were caring for her, and seemed to fully realize her awful condition.
About seven o'clock the last spark of life went out and the sad news was passed from lip to lip and deep sorrow pervaded the community. Her young husband has the sincere sympathy of the community in his sudden and dire affliction. Words cannot express the feelings of sorrow this fatal calamity has caused in our midst.
This is the third fatality from a gasoil no stove occurring in this village in the past five years.
Mrs. Belle Simmons-Whitney was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Simmons, of Cooper, where the deceased was born 24 years ago. Four sisters and three brothers, a father and husband survive her. She was a general favorite in the family and after the death of her mother several years ago she was almost a mother to her younger sisters and brothers, so devoted was she to their comfort and welfare. Three years ago she professed faith in Christ and joined the Christian church at Kalamazoo. She was a true, conscientious christian, and was ever ready to do her Master's will. When she was told that there was but one chance in ten of her recovery, she did not think of self but expressed a word of sympathy for the husband whom she knew would be grief stricken by her demise. But four months ago, Saturday she was a happy bride, and life to her seemed bright, indeed, as she planned for the future. But the sad mishap changed all. Thus the uncertainty of life has again been impressed upon our people in a positive manner. Monday morning the deceased was in the enjoyment of apparent health and all bidding fair for a long and happy life, but before the sinking of the western sun her pure life came to an end with a suddenness that is almost astounding. Truly, “In the midst of life wo are in death." In such a death there is a lesson to humanity. When life Is so uncertain all should make their peace with God, and be prepared to meet death with the same serenity as did the deceased. Funeral services were held at the House Wednesday at ten o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. McDougall. Her remains were taken to Cooper where they were laid to rest beside those of her sainted mother. Otsego Union July 1, 1898 page 3
Married Howard E. Whitney 26 Feb 1898 Cooper Township, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mrs. H. E. Whitney Meets a Tragic Death by Fire from a Gasoline Stove.
About ten o'clock Monday morning a gasoline stove in the home of Dr. H. E. and J. H. Whitney in the Pease house, on Orleans street, caused a fire from the effects of which Mrs. H. E. Whitney lost her life. She was doing her customary kitchen work when the gasoline in the tank became low. As she had done dozens of times before, Mrs. Whitney took off the tank, went into another room and tilled it, not stopping to turn out the fire. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Whitney, reminded her that she should put out the fire while filling the tank, to which she replied she had done that way many times. Scarcely had the words passed her lips when in some way the tank slipped and a portion of the contents ignited with the blaze and her clothing caught fire. She was attired in a woolen wrapper and was at once enveloped in flame. She ran to the sitting room when Mrs. Whitney threw a large rug around her and succeeded in smothering the blaze. A fire alarm was turned in, but by the rare presence of mind of some of the neighbors, who secured a basket of dirt and threw on the fire, the blaze in the room was extinguished. Dr. Whitney was in the country at the time and the other doctors, Thompson, Chase, VanHorn and Clark, were summoned and did all possible to save her life. When her clothing was removed the fact was revealed that more than two-thirds of the surface of her body had been burned over. But little hope was entertained of her recovery. All through the day she was conscious and conversed with those who were caring for her, and seemed to fully realize her awful condition.
About seven o'clock the last spark of life went out and the sad news was passed from lip to lip and deep sorrow pervaded the community. Her young husband has the sincere sympathy of the community in his sudden and dire affliction. Words cannot express the feelings of sorrow this fatal calamity has caused in our midst.
This is the third fatality from a gasoil no stove occurring in this village in the past five years.
Mrs. Belle Simmons-Whitney was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Simmons, of Cooper, where the deceased was born 24 years ago. Four sisters and three brothers, a father and husband survive her. She was a general favorite in the family and after the death of her mother several years ago she was almost a mother to her younger sisters and brothers, so devoted was she to their comfort and welfare. Three years ago she professed faith in Christ and joined the Christian church at Kalamazoo. She was a true, conscientious christian, and was ever ready to do her Master's will. When she was told that there was but one chance in ten of her recovery, she did not think of self but expressed a word of sympathy for the husband whom she knew would be grief stricken by her demise. But four months ago, Saturday she was a happy bride, and life to her seemed bright, indeed, as she planned for the future. But the sad mishap changed all. Thus the uncertainty of life has again been impressed upon our people in a positive manner. Monday morning the deceased was in the enjoyment of apparent health and all bidding fair for a long and happy life, but before the sinking of the western sun her pure life came to an end with a suddenness that is almost astounding. Truly, “In the midst of life wo are in death." In such a death there is a lesson to humanity. When life Is so uncertain all should make their peace with God, and be prepared to meet death with the same serenity as did the deceased. Funeral services were held at the House Wednesday at ten o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. McDougall. Her remains were taken to Cooper where they were laid to rest beside those of her sainted mother. Otsego Union July 1, 1898 page 3
Married Howard E. Whitney 26 Feb 1898 Cooper Township, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
