Gertrude WALTERS

Fernando
June 23, 1870 - March 13, 1904

Claude
September 21, 1891 - March 13, 1904

Gertrude
February 10, 1893 - March 13, 1904

Melville
February 12, 1895 - March 13, 1904

*Obituary
Rogers Democrat
Wednesday March 16, 1904

WALTERS, Fernando - Fernando Walters and his three oldest children: Claude, aged 14 years; Gertie, aged 12 years and Melvin, aged 10, were burned to death Sunday morning about four o'clock at their home one mile south of Garfield, this county. Orville Walters, a fifteen-year-old brother of Mr. Walters, was burned so severly that he is not expected to live and if he does he will be a helpless cripple for life as both hands were nearly burned off and he was badly burned about the head and face. The house was a two-story frame with an open fireplace. It is not definitely known how the fire started but the supposition is that it was caused by a spark from the fireplace. Sleeping downstairs were Mr. and Mrs. Walters, the little girl, Gertie, and the three youngest children, all of them boys and the youngest a baby only six months old. Upstairs were the two sons of the family, Claude and Melvin; Orville Walters, the brother mentioned above and Arthur Marshall, a young brother of Mrs. Walters. The fire must have started about four o'clock for the watch of Mr. Walters, which was recovered from the ashes, had stopped at 4:30 and it is likely that it stopped when the roof fell in. When Mr. Walters discovered the fire it had gained considerable headway and he devoted his entire attention to getting the family out of the burning house. All down stairs were quickly removed to a place of safety and he turned to enter and awake the boys upstairs, who were still unconscious of their terrible danger. The little girl begged him not to enter the house as she was sure he would be killed and that if he went in she was going with him. Ordering the little girl to stay with her mother and the smaller children, Mr. Walters dashed into the doomed building and up the stairway. Crazed with excitement and fright the little girl followed him closely into the house and up the stairs but of course entirely unknown to him. While he entered the room occupied by the boys she went to a room in which she kept a couple of large dolls. She was caught with the others when the roof fell and when the ruins were searched by the tearful neighbors, beside her charred body was found the heads of the dolls, which had probably burned in her arms. Mr. Walters awakened the boys who were doubtlessly deadened considerably by the smoke. The two older boys, Orville Walters and young Marshall, attempted to descend the stairway but were quickly driven back by the smoke and flames that blocked all egress in that direction. Re-entering the bedroom Mr. Walters told them to jump from the window and they did so but they were not a moment too soon for they had barely time to reach the ground before the roof fell with a sickening crash, carrying down with it the floor of the second story and in less time than it takes to tell it four precious lives had been blotted out of existence. One of the boys who escaped says the last thing he heard was the youngest boy asking his father to jump first. So fierce were the flames when the roof fell, it is very likely that death was instantaneous for all of them. It will be remembered that the night was cold and wet and the pitiable plight of the bereaved and half-crazed mother and children can hardly be imagined as they waited there in the light of the once happy home for help and assistance, which was slow in arriving for it was no little distance to the nearest neighbors. To our mind the torture of that hour must have far exceeded anything that was seen or heard even in that terrible Chicago holocaust. But let us draw the curtain on the scene. Mr. Walters was a son of Philip Walters of Garfield and one of the most respected citizens of the community. At the last meeting of the Benton County Fruit Growers and Shippers Union of Garfield he was elected treasurer. In life he was a kind husband and father, a sober, honest, industrious man. In death he was a hero for he hesitated not a moment when the lifes of his boys were imperiled. He was the nephew of Mrs. John Ford of this city and a brother of Mrs. Frank Johnson of Avoca. Mrs. Walters is a daughter of the late M.T.D. Marshall and a sister of Mrs. Gus Blankenship of this city. She is also a niece of Mrs. Clark Brixey. Funeral services were held Monday morning at ten o'clock at the Reddick school house and were conducted by Revs. Whitely of Bentonville and Herod of Garfield. The remains were all interred in one grave. Mr. Walters was a poor man and the wife and children are left in quite destitute circumstances. A collection was taken in the churches of Rogers and a subscription paper was circulated on the streets Monday. Clothing has also been given. All Mrs. Walters has left is the farm, which has on it a mortgage of $200. The subscription ought to be made large enough to pay the mortgage and assist in rebuilding the home. Dr. A.J. Hammack of Garfield was in the city this morning and gave us a few additional details. The tragedy was a terrible shock to the entire family and Mrs. Philip Walters, mother of the deceased, and Mrs. M.T.D. Marshall were both ill several days but are now recovering. There were two other occupants of the house when the fire broke out. Miss Belle Ruddick and Miss Norah Walters, a sister, were sleeping downstairs but escaped in safety. Young Walters was slightly cut about the hands. Mr. Walters was a past grand master of the Odd Fellows lodge of Garfield and probably would have been their representative this year. The Garfield lodge decided at their meeting last night that an appeal would be made to all the lodges of the state for assistance. They will endeavor to pay all debts of the deceased, about $150, and to build and furnish a new home.

Contributed on 12/12/11

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Record #: 624192

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