Notes for: Jackson Moses LUNSFORD
The State Journal special from Carbon Hill, a small place in the Hocking Valley, gives the particulars of an appalling calamity at that place at an early hour this morning in which SEVEN PERSONS were burned to death.
The circumstances and details are as follows:
J.M. Lunsford, who kept a small store attached to his house, was awakened by fire and smoke at midnight, and at once set about removing his family.
The wife and a baby aged 2 years were safely placed out of danger when the father PROCEEDED TO RESCUE THE BALANCE of the family up-stairs, but was overcome by smoke and suffocated.
At this time the villagers were aroused and the doors of the door broken in, which created a draught through the store to the dwelling, and in five minutes from the discovery of the fire, the frame structure was completely enveloped in flames.
THE POOR VICTIMS' SHOUTS AND CRIES for help were heard above the cracking and hissing fire with which they were surrounded.
A quantity of rosin in the store aided in feeding the devouring flames.
All efforts to succor the unfortunate inmates, were of no avail, and their bodies went down into the seething furnace below.
THE SKELETONS are strewn among the debris, indicating that all had become separated in trying to escape.
THE DEAD:
The husband and father,
a daughter, Emiline Lunsford, aged 20 years;
Alida Lunsford; aged 18(or 13) years;
Frank Lunsford, aged 16 years;
John Lunsford, 12 years;
Ada Lunsford, aged 10 years;
Andrew Lunsford, aged 7 years.
Two other members of the family were absent when the fire occurred.