Weaver - Benton
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly News 2 Nov 1900 p 5
“Smartsburg News” – Mr. Benton Weaver, of Crawfordsville who was killed by an explosion of coal oil while building a fire, was buried at this place Sunday. -s
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 2 Nov 1900 p 9
The third fatal accident in Montgomery County this month from the use of the coal oil can in starting fire occurred last Saturday when Benton Weaver was horribly burned at his home on Indiana Avenue. At half past four Weaver arose and started a fire in the kitchen stove. As it did not burn quickly he took the coal oil can and proceeded to pour a quantity into the stove. He had scarcely begun to pour before there was an explosion and Weaver was drench from his face to his feet with the burning oil. With shriekds of agaony and terror he ran into the street and for awhile rushed madly up and down. His frightful cries awoke people for blocks about and those who ran out in the grey dawn and saw the blazing man as he leaped and fought the cruel flames describe the sight as too horrible to be depicted by language. Finally he ran about the house and fell exhausted and almost dead behind an outhouse. Frank Hightower and two or three others soon reached him and tore off the charred body the blazing clothes. The dying man was then carried into the house and Dr. Ensminger hastily summoned. He found the man burned in a sickening manner. The flesh as charcoal fell from the palms of his hands and face and his whole front was burned and blackened until it almost resembled a charred stump. Weaver was possessed of wonderful vitality, however, and lived until about noon when death mercifully relieved his sufferings. The deceased was raised near Mace and leaves a wife and two children. He was a laborer and was a man of sobriety and industry, well liked by all. -s