Republican, Salem, Illinois, Thursday, April 17, 1913, page 8:
Mrs Sarah Jane Murdock, wife of J E Murdock, former well known and highly respected citizens of Salem, died last Sunday morning at their home in Osawatomie, Kan. Death was due to injuries sustained by the explosion of a lamp which was used in connection with an incubator that was being operated. Mrs Murdock lived about eight hours after the accident. The body arrived here Tuesday morning accompanied by the husband and five children and seven members of B L F & E and two members of the Ladies Auxiliary of Osawatomie. Funeral service was held at First Christian church Tuesday afternoon conducted by Elder H W Schwan. The members of Silver Lake Lodge B L F & E and the ladies auxiliary attended the event in a body and acted as an honorary escort.
Mrs Murdock was born in Sumner county, W Va, on May 20, 1873. She was united in marriage with Mr Murdock June 20, 1896. They came to Illinois some years ago and Mr Murdock became a locomotive fireman and later promoted to the post of engineer. The family came here some five years ago and remained three years, removing to Osawatomie in the fall of 1911. They were most excellent citizens and had a family of five delightful children. While residents of Salem Mr and Mrs Murdock took an active part in the lodge work of the various railroad orders. Their removal from this city caused very deep regret on the part of their friends. The terrible calamity that has befallen the family has caused much sorrow among friends here. The floral offerings from Kansas friends as well as the former associates here were profuse and very beautiful attesting the high measure of esteem in which the deceased was held.
The Osawatomie friends who accompanied the body here were J J Boyle, L J Bowne, E E Tigler, C B Owenby and wife, A L Landis and wife, E J Ferguson and G Sleick.
Contributor: Anonymous (48825891)

Salem Herald-Advocate, Salem, Illinois, Friday, April 18, 1913, page 1:
Mrs Sarah J Murdock died at her home on South Fourth street, Osawatomie, Kansas, Sunday, April 13, 1913, at 3 am, aged aged 39 years, 10 months and 3 days. Funeral services in her memory were conducted at the home at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, April 14th, Rev W H Funderburk officiating.
The remains were brought to Salem, arriving here Tuesday morning accompanied by the family and member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Grand International Auxiliary, and were taken at once to the Christian church parlors. In the afternoon, at two o'clock, funeral services were held that her many friends here could attend. Sermon was by Elder H W Schwan, the local pastor.
The church was well filled by the former neighbors and associates of Mr and Mrs Murdock, who formerly lived here, showing the high esteem in which they were held by all. The floral decorations were especially fine and were very noticeable for the great number of set pieces. In addition to the offerings from the railroad orders and friends there were flowers from the children of the four rooms attended in the public schools of Osawatomie.
Those coming from a distance were Messrs Owensley, J J Boyles, Or Stuck, E E Zegler, S P Boone and F Ferguson of B of L E division 336, Osawatomie, who were pall bearers. A L Landis and wife and Mrs Owensley of the same place were also present.
The Murdocks were planning a visit to their old home here but little dreamed of the sad circumstances under which they came. Mrs Murdock was running an incubator. Intent on her work she went into the room where it was. For some unknown cause the lamp exploded saturating her dress, which ignited. She had the presence of mind to open the door and shout for help. Mr Murdock happened to be at home and ran to her assistance but too late to save her life. His hands were horribly burned in tearing her burning clothing. The oldest daughter wrapped a rag around her mother and stopped the flames. The mother lingered until the next morning in agony.
Mrs Murdock was before her marriage Miss Sarah Ballangee of Hinton, West Virginia. She was married to J E Murdock in 1896. To this union were born five children, four of whom survive, the baby having died while they were in Salem.
Two girls and two boys with the father survive to mourn the loss of a kind-hearted mother, a dutiful and loving wife and a noble woman.
Mrs Murdock is also survived by two brothers and three sisters none of whom were privileged to be present at the funeral. These Robert and James Ballangee and Mesdames Elisabeth Meadows, Amanda Woodland and Mary Persinger, all of whom live in West Virginia.
Her last request was that she be brought to Salem which she loved so well, and that she be laid to rest beside the body of her cherished babe in beautiful East Lawn Cemetery.
We desire to extend our sincere thanks to the neighbors and friends, also to the pastors who so kindly assisted us in our dark hour. We also desire to give thanks for the beautiful floral offerings.
J E Murdock and children
Contributor: Anonymous (48825891)