MRS. COFFMAN OF MIDDLETOWN BURNED TO DEATH
Probably one of the most tragic accidents in the history of Lake county took place Sunday evening in Middletown when the aged Mrs. Sophronia Coffman, well known resident of Lake county for the past 70 years or more, was burned to death in her home shortly after seven o'clock in the evening. The body was very much consumed when it was recovered from the ruins of the home two hours after the fire started.
The fire was first discovered by Miss Helen Booth who had driven her car to the end of the street on which Mrs. Coffman lived to turn around. She immediately sounded the alarm and neighbors ran to the scene to combat the flames which were making rapid headway. Efforts of the firefighters to gain admission to the house and recover the aged woman, who was probably first overcome by smoke, were futile owning to the extreme heat.
The supposition of Middletown residents is that the old lady had placed her oil lamp on the bureau and being tired, laid down on the bed to rest. Later the lamp exploded, setting fire to the house and Mrs. Coffman, not waking easily, was overcome by smoke.
According to Coroner H. M. Jones, the body when found was lying across the bed. She had not retired for the night.
A coroner's inquest was held, and verdict of the jury being accidental death.
Mrs. Coffman was living alone in the house, her husband Elijah Coffman having been dead for a number of years. Her only living daughter, Mrs. Tenn Harris of Vallejo, was notified of the accident and came to Middletown to take charge of her mother's body.
The deceased was a sister to John and Theodore Copsey, members of the well known pioneer family.
The funeral was announced to take place yesterday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at Middletown.
The community is quite shocked and grieved at the sad accident.
Lake County Bee - October 1, 1924
Probably one of the most tragic accidents in the history of Lake county took place Sunday evening in Middletown when the aged Mrs. Sophronia Coffman, well known resident of Lake county for the past 70 years or more, was burned to death in her home shortly after seven o'clock in the evening. The body was very much consumed when it was recovered from the ruins of the home two hours after the fire started.
The fire was first discovered by Miss Helen Booth who had driven her car to the end of the street on which Mrs. Coffman lived to turn around. She immediately sounded the alarm and neighbors ran to the scene to combat the flames which were making rapid headway. Efforts of the firefighters to gain admission to the house and recover the aged woman, who was probably first overcome by smoke, were futile owning to the extreme heat.
The supposition of Middletown residents is that the old lady had placed her oil lamp on the bureau and being tired, laid down on the bed to rest. Later the lamp exploded, setting fire to the house and Mrs. Coffman, not waking easily, was overcome by smoke.
According to Coroner H. M. Jones, the body when found was lying across the bed. She had not retired for the night.
A coroner's inquest was held, and verdict of the jury being accidental death.
Mrs. Coffman was living alone in the house, her husband Elijah Coffman having been dead for a number of years. Her only living daughter, Mrs. Tenn Harris of Vallejo, was notified of the accident and came to Middletown to take charge of her mother's body.
The deceased was a sister to John and Theodore Copsey, members of the well known pioneer family.
The funeral was announced to take place yesterday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at Middletown.
The community is quite shocked and grieved at the sad accident.
Lake County Bee - October 1, 1924
MRS. COFFMAN OF MIDDLETOWN BURNED TO DEATH
Probably one of the most tragic accidents in the history of Lake county took place Sunday evening in Middletown when the aged Mrs. Sophronia Coffman, well known resident of Lake county for the past 70 years or more, was burned to death in her home shortly after seven o'clock in the evening. The body was very much consumed when it was recovered from the ruins of the home two hours after the fire started.
The fire was first discovered by Miss Helen Booth who had driven her car to the end of the street on which Mrs. Coffman lived to turn around. She immediately sounded the alarm and neighbors ran to the scene to combat the flames which were making rapid headway. Efforts of the firefighters to gain admission to the house and recover the aged woman, who was probably first overcome by smoke, were futile owning to the extreme heat.
The supposition of Middletown residents is that the old lady had placed her oil lamp on the bureau and being tired, laid down on the bed to rest. Later the lamp exploded, setting fire to the house and Mrs. Coffman, not waking easily, was overcome by smoke.
According to Coroner H. M. Jones, the body when found was lying across the bed. She had not retired for the night.
A coroner's inquest was held, and verdict of the jury being accidental death.
Mrs. Coffman was living alone in the house, her husband Elijah Coffman having been dead for a number of years. Her only living daughter, Mrs. Tenn Harris of Vallejo, was notified of the accident and came to Middletown to take charge of her mother's body.
The deceased was a sister to John and Theodore Copsey, members of the well known pioneer family.
The funeral was announced to take place yesterday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at Middletown.
The community is quite shocked and grieved at the sad accident.
Lake County Bee - October 1, 1924
Probably one of the most tragic accidents in the history of Lake county took place Sunday evening in Middletown when the aged Mrs. Sophronia Coffman, well known resident of Lake county for the past 70 years or more, was burned to death in her home shortly after seven o'clock in the evening. The body was very much consumed when it was recovered from the ruins of the home two hours after the fire started.
The fire was first discovered by Miss Helen Booth who had driven her car to the end of the street on which Mrs. Coffman lived to turn around. She immediately sounded the alarm and neighbors ran to the scene to combat the flames which were making rapid headway. Efforts of the firefighters to gain admission to the house and recover the aged woman, who was probably first overcome by smoke, were futile owning to the extreme heat.
The supposition of Middletown residents is that the old lady had placed her oil lamp on the bureau and being tired, laid down on the bed to rest. Later the lamp exploded, setting fire to the house and Mrs. Coffman, not waking easily, was overcome by smoke.
According to Coroner H. M. Jones, the body when found was lying across the bed. She had not retired for the night.
A coroner's inquest was held, and verdict of the jury being accidental death.
Mrs. Coffman was living alone in the house, her husband Elijah Coffman having been dead for a number of years. Her only living daughter, Mrs. Tenn Harris of Vallejo, was notified of the accident and came to Middletown to take charge of her mother's body.
The deceased was a sister to John and Theodore Copsey, members of the well known pioneer family.
The funeral was announced to take place yesterday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at Middletown.
The community is quite shocked and grieved at the sad accident.
Lake County Bee - October 1, 1924
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