Fort Wayne, IN House Fire, Mar 1890

A SHOCKING MISFORTUNE!

Frederick Wesson Probably Fatally Injured While Trying to Save His Burning Property.

Fred Wesson, a gardener, has been happily domiciled with his family in a pleasant home on a plat of ground near the institute for feeble youth.

At an early house this morning himself and family awoke to find their dwelling in flames. There being no available means of extinguishing the fire, the scene being outside of the city limits, the family and a few neighbors who had gathered from a sparsely settled district saved all the furniture and household effects that they could lay their hands on.

On the premises, near the house, stood a wind-mill used for pumping purpose.

Mr. Wesson left his family gazing upon the home so rapidly disappearing in the grasp of the destroyer, and turned his attention to a wind-mill which stood not far from the house. Already the flames were curling around its frame work, when Mr. Wesson ascended with a pail of water in one hand for the purpose of putting out the fire. When he had ascended about twenty feet the intense heat caused him to lose consciousness. His hold relaxed and he fell to the ground apparently lifeless.

Assistance came and the man was carried to a neighboring cottage, where Dr. George C. Stemen soon appeared. The doctor found injuries to the back and head and one leg, besides internal trouble.

The injured man, declaring that he could not survive the day out had a will drawn up at his dictation.

This is a most painful and unfortunate visitation upon the family, coming, as it does, so suddenly. A wife and children about to be bereft of a husband and father, and the loss of their home, is overwhelming in the extreme.

A light insurance was carried on the house, which was entirely destroyed. Among the contents destroyed was jewelry and other valuable articles.

The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN 29 Mar 1890
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!