BURNED TO DEATH

Kirkland Griffin, aged 89 years, an old resident of Arlington, was burned to death Saturday while all alone in his home. It is barely possible that death overcame Mr. Griffin after he became unconscious through smoke, but the position in which his remains were discovered lead to the belief that he suffered untold agony before death relieved him.

Neighbors of Mr. Griffin, George Schmehl and his son, not having seen the old man since Friday, went over to the Griffin home to see what had become of its occupant. Entering the unlocked door the two found smoke and flames coming through the floor and some of the furniture on fire. Lying upon the bed, fully clothed, was the body of Mr. Griffin, while flames were clapping up the bed clothing and flesh of their victim. One of the men began extinguishing the fire while the other gave an alarm, but before the firemen reached the house the fire had been smothered.

The body of Mr. Griffin was badly burned, one of his feet being almost consumed and his right side was severely burned. The legs were drawn up as if in agony and the face was blackened by smoke. The body presented a gruesome sight.

Mr. Griffin had been quite ill Monday, but was downtown Friday morning and he appeared then to be his ordinary self.

The dead man’s wife died some time ago, since which time he had been living alone. He has two sons living, but no one seems to know their present whereabouts.

#2 January 13, 1910 - Arlington Review-Herald

KIRKLAND GRIFFIN'S SUDDEN DEATH

Mysterious Fire Causes Death of Pioneer Resident of Arlington

This community was greatly shocked last Saturday evening to learn that Kirkland Griffin had been found dead in his home just east of City Park, and that his house was on fire, death being caused by either asphyxiation or the flames. The fire was extinguished and the body of the unfortunate victim recovered from the building, when it was found that his hands, feet and legs were badly burned, the left foot being nearly consumed. As soon as the fire had been extinguished and the rooms, which had not been badly damaged by the fire, had been cleared of the smoke, the remains of the old gentleman were taken into the house, where they remained until later in the evening when they were taken to the residence of Ed Ludwig, where they remained until the funeral on Monday of this week. The sons of the deceased were at once notified by telegraph of the death of their father, but neither of them were able to be present at the funeral, and attended by old neighbors, the body was consigned to its everlasting home in Morley Cemetery unattended by a single relative.

Last Saturday Geo. Schmehl, a neighbor of Mr. Griffin's, thought it queer that he had not seen the old gentleman around during the day, and suggested to his son Will, that they visit the house and see if he was at home, or ascertain what was the matter with him. On nearing the building they discovered smoke issuing from the windows and on entering the house found the rooms full of smoke. While the elder Schmehl was giving the alarm, Will explored the rooms and was horrified to find the- charred remains of Mr. Griffin lying on a bed in a bedroom on the first floor. He at once extinguished the fire, and with the assistance of others, who soon arrived, carried the body out of doors. Dr. Jones, who was taking care of Dr. Davie's practice during the latter's absence in Chicago, was summoned, who, after examining the body, declared that life had been extinct but a short time, the body being still warm.

The real cause of the fire will probably remain a mystery, as it is almost impossible for any one to construct a theory that can be depended on to correctly tell the story. The old gentleman had undoubtedly retired the night before, placing a lighted lamp on a table in front of the bed. By some unaccountable means fire from the lamp was communicated to some combustible material close by, which may have smoldered for hours, the smoke at last becoming so dense that death came to Mr. Griffin's relief before the flames reached him.

The deceased was 89 years old and had resided here for many years, he having been one of the very oldest residents of the town. Of his early life very little seems to be known here. From what has been learned however, it is known that he was quite a wealthy man while a resident of New York state, but misfortune overtook him and nearly 40 years ago he came west with his family to seek his fortune. He has lived nearly all this time in Arlington, where be has always been honored and respected by all who knew him. Of late years, he has made his living by hauling produce and fruit to Fremont, and for all men of his age, was up to the very time of his death remarkably active in pursuing his vocation. In his early days he was a locomotive engineer and was one of the first engineers on the New York Central railroad that crosses the Empire state from east to west. His only surviving relatives are two sons, one of whom resides somewhere in Iowa, and the other in New York, but for some reason they were unable to come to Arlington when notified of their fathers terrible death, and many were quite severe in their comments on this seeming neglect of the old gentleman, not only on the occasion of his death, but for a number of years previously. The funeral on Monday was largely attended, all business places in town being closed out of respect to the memory of the deceased.

Mayor Echtenkamp took hold of the matter at once and after examining the circumstances surrounding the case, concluded that there was no evidence of foul play, and that death was indirectly caused by the fire, made his observations known to the county coroner, who decided that no inquest was necessary.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

. FindaGrave # 241144136