Mrs. Fenton Hoskins was fatally burned Saturday morning about 8 o'clock in the explosion which occurred at the Hoskins home in the north part of town. Mr. Hoskins had just left the house to go to his work at the T. C. Pepperd place. Mrs. Hoskins finding the fire in the heater low apparently attempted to throw kerosene into the stove from a large can. The explosion which followed threw burning oil over Mrs. Hoskins and about the room and blew out the north window. Mrs. Hoskins screams attracted the attention of her sister, Mrs. Fines Hoskins, who lived in part of the house. The sister ran in the west door but was unable to enter because of the flames which filled the room. Charley Nickelson, George Kennedy, and other neighbors heard the explosion and the screams, and saw the fire pouring from the window. Rushing in the burning home, they found that Mrs. Hoskins had found her way into a south bedroom in an attempt to save her small daughter, who was lying on the bed. The only exit from this room was by a window. They broke in the window and Mrs. Hoskins with wonderful presence of mind handed the baby out and then was lifted through the window by some of the early arrivals. She was found to be very badly burned over her entire body, practically all her clothing being burned. She was carried to the home of Mr. Galloway, a next door neighbor, where she was cared for by Drs. Stirling and Shelley. About eleven o'clock she was removed to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. DeMoss, where she passed away at three o'clock that afternoon.The baby suffered several burns about the face and hands but seems to be getting along nicely and will probably recover.
The fire in the house was soon extinguished without greater loss. It belongs to Albert Oller and we understand that the loss was fully covered by insurance.
OBITUARY Pauline DeMoss was born at Haviland, Kansas, March 28, 1912 and died as the result of burns received in an accidental explosion at her home in Wilmore, Kansas on January 24, 1931, at the age of 18 years, 9 months and 26 days.
Leaving Haviland, the DeMoss family moved to Croft, living there until about seven years ago, when they came to Wilmore. Pauline entered our grade school and graduated from the course in 1927. She entered the Freshman class that fall with the present Senior class but after one years attendance dropped from school to help with the work at home.
She was married to Mr. Fenton Hoskins on Dec. 21, 1929. To this union one child, a daughter, was born.
Pauline was a good student, popular among her classmates an obedient and loving daughter, a kind and affectionate wife.
She gave her life to Christ several years ago and had been a faithful follower of the Master since that time.
She leaves to mourn her untimely departure; her husband and daughter, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. DeMoss, a brother, Kenneth DeMoss, four sisters, Mrs. Fines Hoskins and Viola Marjorie and Mildred DeMoss and a large number of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Baptist church on Sunday afternoon with Rev. C. W. Safford, pastor of the Church of God of Coldwater in charge.
Rev. Safford was assisted by Rev. Woods, pastor of the local Baptist church. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet consisting of Mrs. Wall, Mrs. Manahan, L. E. Baker and Ray Bigbee, Mrs. Giuzlo and Mrs. Zerby of Coldwater sang a duet. Pall bearers were Marion Ridge, Wallace Force, Oscar Barber, Joe Woods, Nick Baker and Kenneth Trummel. Interment was in the Wilmore cemetery.
CARDS OF THANKS We wish to express our sincere thanks to the many kind friends and neighbors who did so many things for us during the illness and after the death of our wife, mother, daughter and sister. We also desire to extend thanks for the beautiful floral offerings.
Mr. Fenton Hoskins and family.
Mr. and Mrs. C. A. DeMoss and family.
The Western Star, January 30, 1931. BURNS RESULT FATALLY
Mrs. Pauline Hoskins, aged about 19 years, and whose home was in Wilmore, was badly burned about the body, arms and legs on last Saturday morning when she attempted to revive a smoldering fire in the heating stove by means of coal oil, which she poured from a five gallon can into the stove. An explosion followed immediately, blowing the bottom of the can out and scattering oil over Mrs. Hoskins body.
Flames enveloped her clothing, and she was so badly burned that she died less than 12 hours later. She extinguished the flames by rolling on the floor. She then rushed to the bed where her six months old baby lay, seized the child, and after breaking a glass in a nearby window, handed the baby to parties outside of the burning room, thus saving the child's life.
The part of the house in which the fire occurred was practically all burned, but the fire was prevented from spreading to the other rooms. Mrs. Hoskins and her husband, Fenton Hoskins, also her sister, Mrs. Finis Hoskins, and family lived in one of Albert Oller's houses in Wilmore.
The two ladies are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Charles DeMoss of Wilmore and married brothers, Fenton and Finis Hoskins, a couple of years ago. On the morning of the fatal accident, the burned lady's husband, Fenton Hoskins, had gone to work after building the fire.
Mrs. Hoskins' passing, especially in the manner in which it occurred, elicits profound sympathy for the bereaved relatives. It was a very sad occurrence. Deceased was a devoted wife and mother and had many friends in and near Wilmore. She confessed her faith in Christ, as her Savior a few years ago and united with the Pentecostal church. She died not as one without hope, for she had given many evidences of her acceptance with the Father.
Funeral services were held in the Wilmore Baptist church on Sunday afternoon, Rev. C. W. Safford of this city being in charge. Burial was made in the Wilmore cemetery.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
This website is being created by HTML Guy Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was created 31 August 2004 and last updated 19 February 2006.