Britton - Sarah Sparks
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 10 September 1892
Mrs. Sarah Britton Fatally Burned This Morning By a Gasoline Explosion. September 2, at her home on east College street Mrs. Sarah Britton, one of the oldest residents and most estimable ladies in Montgomery county, met with an awful accident, which will doubtless result in her death. It seems that she had undertaken to clean some spots from a carpet with a composition of water and gasoline. This composition stood in a bucket on the floor and the gas was generated from it in considerable large quantities. This at length, ignited from a stove in the room and quite an explosion followed. Mrs. Britton's clothes took fire and she at once ran through several rooms to where her daughter, Mrs. Harry Palmer, was at work. Her clothes were burning upon her body in a terrible manner when Mrs. Palmer, with great presence of mind, seized a blanket which was lying at hand and with it enveloped her mother's form, extinguishing the flames. Some men who had been attracted by the explosion in the meantime had turned in a fire alarm and proceeded to put out the fire and to lend all possible assistance. When the department arrived there was no use of its services and doctors Jones and Rtistine were hastly summoned. They found that Mrs. Britton had been burned most frightfully and at once pronounced her injuries very grave if not necessarily fatal. Her entire body was badly burned and scorched, the burns about her head being particularly grievous. Every assistance possible was rendered but her sufferings were, of course, very intense. All the children who reside in this city, Judge W. P. Britton, Walter Britton, Mrs. J. R. Robinson and Mrs. Palmer, were soon at her side, and her son, Oscar Britton, of Indianapolis, was telegraphed. Mrs. Britton's great age, she being over seventy, makes her recovery all the more a matter of doubt. She is the willow of the late John Britton and is one of the pioneers of the county. She has hundreds of friends who are shocked and grieved to hear of the terrible calamity which has befallen her. Mrs. Sarah Britton died the same day about 9 p.m.
Sarah Sparks was born August 1, 1814 in Hamilton county, Ohio. At the age of 18 she was married to John Britton, whom she survived. In 1833 they removed to this county where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of the eight children born to them, seven still live, namely, Mrs. Mary Royalty, Judge W. P. Britton, Mrs. J. R. Robinson, Dr. O. F. Britton, of Indianapolis, Mrs. E. H. Sidner, Walter Britton and Mrs. Harry Palmer. Mrs. Britton was a most exemplary lady and during her long and useful life made hosts of friends by her many lovely traits of character. She was a member of the Universalist church and lived always a religious and consistent life. To the bereaved family THE JOURNAL, extends its sympathy and condolence, - thanks so much to Kim H for these - such a sad death
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday, 2 September 1892
This morning at her home on East College Street, Mrs. Sarah Britton, one of the oldest residents and most estimable ladies in Montgomery County, met with an awful accident which will doubtless result in her death.
It seems that she had undertaken to clean some spots from a carpet with a composition of water and gasoline. This composition stood in a bucket on the floor and the gas was generated from it in considerable large quantities. This at length ignited from a stove in the room and quite an explosion followed. Mrs. Britton’s clothes took fire and she at once ran through several rooms to where her daughter, Mrs. Harry Palmer, was at work. Her clothes were burning upon her body in a terrible manner when Mrs. Palmer, with great presence of mind, seized a blanket which was lying at hand and with it enveloped her mother’s form, extinguishing the flames. Some men who had been attracted by the explosion in the meantime had turned in a fire alarm and proceeded to put out the fire and to lend all possible assistance. When the department arrived there was no use of its services and doctors Jones and Ristine were hastily summoned. They found that Mrs. Britton had been burned most frightfully and at once pronounced her injuries very grave if not necessarily fatal. Her entire body was badly burned and scorched, the burns about her head being particularly grievous. Every assistance possible was rendered but her sufferings were, of course, very intense.
All the children who reside in this city, Judge W. P. Britton, Walter Britton, Mrs. J. R. Robinson and Mrs. Palmer, were soon at her side, and her son, Oscar Britton, of Indianapolis, was telegraphed. Mrs. Britton’s great age, she being over seventy, makes her recovery all the more a matter of doubt. She is the widow of the late John Britton and is one of the pioneers of the county. She has hundreds of friends who are shocked and grieved to hear of the terrible calamity which has befallen her.
This afternoon Mrs. Britton is resting somewhat easily under the influence of opiates, but her pulse is quite feeble and her recovery is despaired of.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Saturday, 3 September 1892
Mrs. Sarah Britton, whose sad accident was noted in yesterday’s Journal, died of her injuries last night shortly after 9 o’clock. The funeral will occur tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock conducted by Rev. G. W. Switzer. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Sarah Sparks was born August 1, 1818 in Hamilton County, Ohio. At the age of 18, she was married to John Britton, whom she survived. In 1833 they removed to this county where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of the eight children born to them, seven still live, namely, Mrs. Mary Royalty, Judge W. P. Britton, Mrs. J. R. Robinson, Dr. O. F. Britton, of Indianapolis, Mrs. E. H. Sidner, Walter Britton and Mrs. Harry Palmer. Mrs. Britton was a most exemplary lady and during her long and useful life made hosts of friends by her many lovely traits of character. She was a member of the Universalist Church and lived always a religious and consistent life. To the bereaved family The Journal extends its sympathy and condolence.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday, 5 September 1892
The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Britton was very largely attended yesterday afternoon at her late residence on East College Street. The services were in charge of Rev. G. W. Switzer and Dr. J. W. Greene and though short on account of the heat, were very impressive. Three hymns were sung by Miss Alma McCluer, Mrs. J. E. Fisher, Ed McNutt and A. A. McCain. The pall bearers were Henry Campbell, John Hurley, Sol Tannenbaum, Jere Keeney, and Wallie Sparks.