(Continued...)

A Shelby County Republican newspaper account, dated December 10, 1914, describes tragic news.  "The Week’s News Around Kirkman" reported the "SAD DEATH, BY FIRE, OF MRS. J.K. BARBER”

“Was Baking Bread Saturday Afternoon, Put Paper Over To Keep from Burning -- Paper Burst Into Flames When Oven was Opened.

“Our community was shocked late Saturday afternoon by hearing that Mrs. J.K. Barber had been terribly burned.

“She was baking bread and had put paper over it to keep it from burning.  Upon opening the oven door the paper burst into flames and her clothing took fire.

“Mr. Barber was in the room, and after an ineffectual attempt had been made to pinch out the fire, threw a coat over her head and shoulders.  Her skirts continued to burn and she sank to the floor, overcome.  Mr. Barber then threw a bucket of water over her and extinguished the flames.

“There was no one else in the house and Mr. Barber removed her clothing pieces of the skin coming away with it.  As she was trying to help him he saw the bone protruding through the flesh of her finger.  In spite of the ghastly sight, he continued his work and then summoned help.  Fortunately, Mrs. George Adams was at hand and rendered what aid she could.  Doctor Sabin was called and two nurses came out on the late train, but she passed away at four o'clock Sunday* morning."

Our thanks to Phyllis Heller’s newspaper research, and to Cousin Robin Reynolds Gold for contributing this sad anecdote from family files in her possession.