An accident occurred at the home of
Mr. E. C. Jackson about 7 o'clock Wednesday morning that may result in the
death of Miss Maud Knevel, a domestic.
Miss Knevel had arisen as usual and
started for the kitchen and had made all preparations for breakfast, and it
is thought, was going to her room again, as she took the lamp and nearly
reached the stair door when she fainted and fell to the floor.
The oil ran out of the lamp and
ignited, setting fire to the clothing [of the] unconscious young woman and
causing her to scream.
Mr. F. Bain, Mrs. Jackson's brother,
was the first to hear the cry, and at once called Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and
all started for the kitchen.
They found Miss Knevel standing up
near the sink, appearently trying to put out the fire, and Mr. Bain at once
snatched the burning clothing from her.
Mr. Jackson dashed some water on the
burning clothes. He then wrapped a quilt about her, smothering the flames
completely, and carried the girl to her room, where Mrs. Jackson did all she
could to alleviate the suffering until Dr. Reid came.
The weeks' ironing was on a rack in
the kitchen, and all was a mass of flames. Mr. Bain threw the whole mass
into the yard, and prevented what otherwise might have been a fire.
The doctor found that the young
lady's arms and back were badly burned. As she inhaled considerable smoke
and the flesh being quite deeply burned into, little hopes are entertained
for her recovery.
She is about 22 years of age. She is
a most responsible girl, and her family came from Vienna, there being 8
sisters, whose parents are both dead. Mrs. A. Nelles of Cranberry street, is
a sister, and two more sisters are employed at the Arlington hotel. Mrs.
Cudney of Port Burwell, is also a sister.
This morning the young woman was
very much weaker, and little hope is entertained of her recovery. --
Tilsonburg Liberal.
