Silver Cliff Rustler

November 30, 1904

JOHN ASHCROFT LOSES HIS LIFE IN FLAMES

Frame Building in Which He Was Stopping and an Adjoining Building Entirely Consumed. Flame Checked Under Most Difficult Circumstances.

At about 3 o'clock Monday morning the people of this community were aroused from their slumbers in response to an alarm which signaled that a fierce fire was raging in the northeast quarter of town in a frame residence belonging to W. B. Wadsworth, the flames of which quickly spread to another small building owned by Mrs. Ed. Mitchell, both buildings burning to the ground.

Considering the late hour at night and the fact the building in which Ashcroft stopped and was entirely in flames before the fire was discovered and that it was some time before the neighbors could be awakened and the fire signal given the firemen and citizens must be given great credit for their prompt and efficient work in preventing the spread of the fire which seemed imminent because of the terrific windstorm that prevailed. The origin of the fire is not known but may have been caused by a defective flue, a candle left burning, or some such cause.

The body of Ashcroft was found in the debris near the front door, through which it is supposed he tried to make his escape but yielded to suffocation and the intense heat before he could do so. The body presented about as ghastly a scene as can be imagined. Both of the victim's legs were burned off above the knees, both arms above the elbows and the head was gone, only small portions of the skull being found.

The body was taken in charge by Coroner Bain and removed to Eddy's undertaking rooms.

The wife and family of the deceased were notified and arrived from Salida to attend the funeral which took place yesterday. Services were held at the home of George Sidford in Westcliffe at 1 p.m., Rev. Baldwin officiating and the remains were followed to the Ula cemetery where the interment took place.

Ashcroft was about three score and ten years of age and late years followed prospecting as his occupation. In Rosita in early days he was an employer of miners, being fairly well to do, and he afterward devoted a great deal of his time in the camps of Ashcroft and Tincup, which former camp was named in his honor. He spent a part of last winter in this town and recently returned to put in the present winter here.

The surviving family and relatives have the sympathy of all in their affliction.

Obit. 3 Dec 1904 Wet Mountain Tribune, CO - A Death Dealing Blaze - Career of John Ashcroft Ends in a Fire at Silver Cliff.