Armbuerts - Frank - tramp
Source: Friday, March 31, 1899 Covington Republican
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Last Friday morning a tramp was brought down to the poor farm from Attica, and he presented a horrible sight, being literally roasted. About half past three o’clock Friday morning parties at the Wabash depot, Attica, were startled by a series of shrill shrieks in the direction of the tile factory, and on looking in that direction were horrified to see a man all a mass of flames rushing toward them. After recovering from the shock they shouted to the fellow to lie down and roll on the ground. But he kept on running until he stumbled and fell into a small stream of water running through a ravine near the depot. Parties then ran to his assistance and found him lying on his face in the water and perfectly helpless. The flames burned nearly all his clothing from his body and his arms, breast and back were literally roasted. A physician was summoned who did all in his power to relieve the poor fellow’s sufferings. It was learned the unfortunate man was a tramp by the name of Frank Armbuerts, and his home was at Garrett, Ill. He had gone to one of the tile kilns, started a fire and laid down to sleep, the flames had ignited his clothing and when he awoke he was a mass of flames. When brought down to the poor farm, he was under the influence of opiates. On regaining consciousness he was informed that he could not survive his injuries and was questioned as to his family. He gave his name and home and said he had two sisters living at Peru, but would not give their names. He claimed to have been a soldier in the war of the rebellion and to have been on his way to some point in Ohio to secure evidence in a pension claim. All that was possible was done for him, but he suffered untold agony until late Friday afternoon, when death came to his relief. -s