THOMPSON, Daniel
Daniel Thompson
Source: Waveland Independent
Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana
2-11-1937 p 4
Dan Thompson, a farmer living near Roachdale was so severely burned by coal oil exploding in a kitchen stove on Monday morning that he died a few hours later in Culver Hospital. He was supposed to have been using oil from a five gallon can to start a fire. A daughter, Mildred, is the wife of Harold Taylor, who now lives in East Lansing, Michigan.
Source: Found in a collection of old obituaries saved by Mary Jo Johnson, found in Crawfordsville District Public Library. We appreciate Mary Jo's willingness to share these. (Used with permission)
Dan Thompson, 54, prominent farmer and landowner of the Roachdale community, died at Culver hospital here at 11:05 o'clock Monday morning a few hours after a kerosene explosion in the kitchen of his farm home had ignited his clothing and had started fire which resulted in the complete destruction of the residence.
Rushed here in a neighbor's automobile shortly after the tragedy, which occurred about 5 a. m., the unfortunate man lasped into unconsciousness shortly after his arrival. His wife had accompanied him here in the automobile driven by a neighbor of the family, Howard Gough, and was at his bedside with other relatives when death occurred.
According to members of the family, Mr. Thompson had gone to the kitchen to start a fire in the kitchen stove and was carrying a five-gallon can of kerosene. Since he was alone at the time the exact nature of the explosion, which bathed him in flaming oil, could not be explained.
Mr. Thompson rushed out of the house following the explosion and was found by members of his family rolling in mud and water in the yard, in a vain attempt to extinguish the flames. His clothing was nearly burned from his body. According to hospital attashes here, he suffered first, second and third degree burns.
Mrs. Thompson and a daughter, Clarel, a student in the Roachdale high school, escaped from the burning house and summoned help. Neighbors gathered quickly but the house, a two-story frame structure to which three rooms had only recently been added was complete1y destroyed. A chair, one rug and a cedar chest were the only contents saved from the burning dwelling.
The entire Roachdale community was stunned and shocked by the horrible tragedy which removed one of the best known and most popular farmers of that neighborhood. He was a member of the Roachdale Christian church and was active in all community affairs.
Daniel Thompson was born July 16, 1883, in Parke county, the son of John and Mary Thompson. He married Elsie Porter on Jan. 1, 1906, and had been a resident of the Roachdale community for the past sixteen years.
Survivors, in addition to the widow and father, are three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Taylor, East Lansing, Mich., Mrs. Martha Leonard, Russellville, and Miss Clarel Thompson, at home; a son, Daniel Wayne Thompson, a student at Purdue university; three sisters, Mrs. Nellie McGaughey, Russellville; Miss Ida Bain, Marshall, and Miss Lena Thompson, Parke county; four brothers, Omer Thompson and Lyman Thompson, Rockville, Laurence Thompson of Texas, and Arthur Thompson, Bellmore, and one grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at l:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Roachdale Christian church in charge of Rev. Leland Plew, Indianapolis. The casket will be opened at the church for one hour preceding the services.