A very sad accident occurred at the home of Mrs. Lucy Robinson at about 2 o’clock last Thursday afternoon. Her little four year old daughter, Marie, found some matches in a little purse in the yard and lighted a couple just to see them burn. Her dress caught fire from one, and her little body was soon enveloped in flames. Before help could arrive, she was so badly burned that she died about six o’clock. The funeral was held at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, Rev. J. G. Shick of Omaha officiating, assisted by Rev. C. P. Lang. It was a sad funeral for the mother’s heart was almost broken over the loss of her darling babe. The white casket was covered with beautiful flowers from sympathizing friends, showing the esteem in which the mother and little one was held.

#2-11 Nov, 1909 - Blair Democrat - Marie Robinson

ANOTHER CHILD BURNED

Little Marie, the four year old daughter of Mrs. Lucy Robinson, who makes her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton on Lincoln street, while her mother works in the Bliss restaurant, was fatally burned Wednesday afternoon, and death came to her relief about six o’clock that same evening.

It seems the little child had raked up a pile of leaves and had been cautioned by its grandmother not to set them on fire, but she disregarded the admonition. After cautioning the child, the grandmother went on with her household duties, and the next thing she heard was the screaming of the little child at her back door. Neighbors also heard the screams and rushed to the assistance of the little one and with the aid of a quilt succeeded in extinguishing the flames that enveloped her.

She was carried across to the home of Jake Evans and medical aid summoned, but beyond doing what they could to alleviate her suffering, the physicians were hopeless. The funeral was held from the home of the grandparents Friday afternoon.

~~~Obituary courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska