Randolph County, Indiana
Obituaries
The Muncie Sunday StarUnion City, Ind., April 13. -- A horible accident occurred at South Salem, a little village four miles south of this city, this morning, when Florence, the pretty little 4-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Polly, was burned to death.
April 14, 1907
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CHILD BURNED TO DEATH
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Poured Oil On the Fire
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Mother, Upon Returning to Kitchen
After a Very Brief Asence, Found
Her 4-year-old Daughter
In Flames.
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About 9 o'clock Polly drove up from the field and called to his wife to come and open the gate. The mother at once answered the summons, leaving the little girl in the kitchen. She remained out only a few minutes, but when she re-entered the kitchen she found her little one lying on the floor near the stove, a blackened and inert heap, while the hungry flames were still burning where small patches of clothing had not yet been consumed, all clothing having been burned off her body with the exception of her shoes. The child lived an hour, when the angel of death mercifully released her from her agonizing suffering.
It seems that during the mother's absence the little girl secured a baking powder can, half filled with coal oil, which she poured into the kitchen stove with the inevitable result.
Contributed by Gina Richardson