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Author: Adina_SDyer
Surnames:
Classification: death
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http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
St. Cloud Democrat, pg 1, column 4
December 27, 1860
Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota
A WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH WHILE AT PRAYER
The Lafayette (Indiana) Courier says: Mrs. Catherine Gray, a widow lady, eighty years of
age, residing in the southern part of the town, was burned to death last week under
circumstances of a peculiarly distressing character. On Thursday evening she invited a
little boy in the neighborhood to keep her company for the night, and after tucking him
warmly under the covers, kneeled down at the bedside to say her prayers. While in this
position her dress took fired from the candle, and in an instant she was enveloped in
flames. The fire communicated to the curtains of the bed, and intent on the preservation
of the child and forgetful of herself, she fought the flames until her hands were burned
to a blister, and succeeded in dragging the little fellow into the middle of the room.
The affrightened boy broke from her embrace and ran to the nearest neighbors. The alarm
was promptly given, but before aid could be procured the poor woman had been burned past
recovery.
note: The 1860 census shows a Catherine Gray, widow, age 70, born in Ireland living
alone.
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