BLAYDES, Lillie - Putnam

Source: Crawfordsville Review 16 March 1911

Roachdale, Ind March 10 – As the result of an explosion which followed an attempt to start the kitchen fire for supper at 6:20 Thursday evening, Mrs. Lillie Blaydes, age 34, wife of Porter Blaydes, a well to do farmer, living 4 ½ miles southeast of Roachdale, was burned so badly that she died in agony three hours later. Sylvia, a 5-year-old daughter was so severely burned that her condition is most critical. She is not expected to live.  Pauline, 9-year-old, another daughter was also badly burned. The beautiful country home was entirely destroyed by fire. “What’s that noise?” said the hired hand to Mr.  Blaydes as the men were busy at their chores last night. “It’s my wife starting the fire with kerosene,” replied Blaydes, his face blanching with fear. “The coal oil can has exploded.” He seized a bucket and the men rushed for the house. He found the kitchen filled with smoke and flames. The two little girls were ablaze. His wife was a flaming torch. Mrs. Blaydes ran to a bedroom and tried to smother the fire in her dress with bed clothes, but she sustained terrible injuries before the flames were extinguished. Blaydes and the farm hand dashed water on the two little girls. Drs. New, of Barnard and Dr. CC Collins, of Roachdale were summoned and gave the sufferers what relief they could. The explosion occurred at 6:20. A two-gallon can of gasoline let go. The kitchen chimney was knocked down by the force of the explosion. – kbz

Source: Same – “Roachdale news”

The funeral of Mrs. Porter Blaydes who was borned to death Thursday evening was held at the home of her father, J. Moreland on Saturday afternoon.  The two little daughters who were burned in the fire are improving.