WAS BURNED TO DEATH
"Rufus K. Campbell's Life Brought to An Awful Close"
He Was Alone -- An Oil Lamp Exploded as He was Coming Down the Stairway, Throwing the Burning Oil Over His Shirt and Literally Roasting Him...
Rufus King Campbell, Esq., an aged and well known citizen was burned to death at an early hour Tuesday morning at his home, in the Rosetoro addition, a mile southeast of Washington, but the horrible affair was not discovered until about 5:30 o'clock the same evening. Mr. Campbell and wife lived alone in a comfortable two story frame house. For several days Mrs. Campbell had been at the home of her brother, Albert Lacock, in South Franklin township, assisting in the nursing of the children of the brother, one of whom died and was buried on Monday.
During her absence Mr. Campbell occupied the house alone. His business called him to Pittsburg almost every morning. He was last seen alive Monday evening, going out East Maiden street about 5:15 o'clock. His bed indicated he had slept in it Monday night.
Mrs. Campbell returned from her brother's home, Tuesday evening, on the Waynesburg train which reaches Washington at 4:50 PM. A half hour later she was at her own dwelling, when she went into the hall her foot struck against the broken lamp. Looking up the stairway one of the most horrible sights that could be imagined was before her. Seated about two thirds of the way up the flight of stairs was the dead body of her husband. She gave the alarm to the neighbors and in a few minutes, it was known all over the neighborhood and soon spread into the town.
A messenger was dispatched for Coroner Johnson, but as the official was in Pittsburg, Justice Alex W. Hart, of East Washington, took charge of the case. After viewing the body and examining the surroundings Justice Hart decided there was no necessity to hold an inquest and directed that the body be turned over to the undertakers.
The manner of Mr. Campbell's death was very apparent. He had got out of bed sometime in the night or very early in the morning, put on his trousers, socks and shirt and with the small lighted lamp in his hand started down the stairway. When a third of the way down the lamp exploded, setting fire to his shirt and probably stunning him to such an extent he could do nothing to relieve himself from the flames that were slowly roasting him to death. He was found sitting on one of the steps, his body leaning to the right against the wall. His shirt and undershirt were burned completely off his chest. The flames had then one out without igniting the stairway, although the carpet was burned in several places.
The deceased was a native of Waynesburg and was widely known throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was in his 75th year. About 1850 he was Sheriff of Green County. Several years later he represented that county in the legislature. Then he was engaged in merchandizing in Waynesburg. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Eighth Penn. Reserves and served about a year.
During the incumbency of the U.S. Marshal's Office by Marshals Murdoch, Hall and Rutan, the deceased was Deputy Marshal. For some time past, he has been the crier in the U.S. Circuit and districk courts in Pittsburg.
His home has been in Washington for quite a long time. He was almost a daily passenger over the Chartiers road. He was a very genial man, with hosts of friends who will be shocked at the awful fate that has overtaken him.
Mr. Campbell's first wife was the eldest daughter of John Hart, deceased. By that union, there were four children: Albert, Susan and Mary, all dead, and John H. Campbell of the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg. There were no children by the second marriage.
The body of Mr. Campbell will be buried at Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, PA.
(The above information was taken from one of his Obituaries from the Waynesburg Democrat, March 15, 1895)
"Rufus K. Campbell's Life Brought to An Awful Close"
He Was Alone -- An Oil Lamp Exploded as He was Coming Down the Stairway, Throwing the Burning Oil Over His Shirt and Literally Roasting Him...
Rufus King Campbell, Esq., an aged and well known citizen was burned to death at an early hour Tuesday morning at his home, in the Rosetoro addition, a mile southeast of Washington, but the horrible affair was not discovered until about 5:30 o'clock the same evening. Mr. Campbell and wife lived alone in a comfortable two story frame house. For several days Mrs. Campbell had been at the home of her brother, Albert Lacock, in South Franklin township, assisting in the nursing of the children of the brother, one of whom died and was buried on Monday.
During her absence Mr. Campbell occupied the house alone. His business called him to Pittsburg almost every morning. He was last seen alive Monday evening, going out East Maiden street about 5:15 o'clock. His bed indicated he had slept in it Monday night.
Mrs. Campbell returned from her brother's home, Tuesday evening, on the Waynesburg train which reaches Washington at 4:50 PM. A half hour later she was at her own dwelling, when she went into the hall her foot struck against the broken lamp. Looking up the stairway one of the most horrible sights that could be imagined was before her. Seated about two thirds of the way up the flight of stairs was the dead body of her husband. She gave the alarm to the neighbors and in a few minutes, it was known all over the neighborhood and soon spread into the town.
A messenger was dispatched for Coroner Johnson, but as the official was in Pittsburg, Justice Alex W. Hart, of East Washington, took charge of the case. After viewing the body and examining the surroundings Justice Hart decided there was no necessity to hold an inquest and directed that the body be turned over to the undertakers.
The manner of Mr. Campbell's death was very apparent. He had got out of bed sometime in the night or very early in the morning, put on his trousers, socks and shirt and with the small lighted lamp in his hand started down the stairway. When a third of the way down the lamp exploded, setting fire to his shirt and probably stunning him to such an extent he could do nothing to relieve himself from the flames that were slowly roasting him to death. He was found sitting on one of the steps, his body leaning to the right against the wall. His shirt and undershirt were burned completely off his chest. The flames had then one out without igniting the stairway, although the carpet was burned in several places.
The deceased was a native of Waynesburg and was widely known throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was in his 75th year. About 1850 he was Sheriff of Green County. Several years later he represented that county in the legislature. Then he was engaged in merchandizing in Waynesburg. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Eighth Penn. Reserves and served about a year.
During the incumbency of the U.S. Marshal's Office by Marshals Murdoch, Hall and Rutan, the deceased was Deputy Marshal. For some time past, he has been the crier in the U.S. Circuit and districk courts in Pittsburg.
His home has been in Washington for quite a long time. He was almost a daily passenger over the Chartiers road. He was a very genial man, with hosts of friends who will be shocked at the awful fate that has overtaken him.
Mr. Campbell's first wife was the eldest daughter of John Hart, deceased. By that union, there were four children: Albert, Susan and Mary, all dead, and John H. Campbell of the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg. There were no children by the second marriage.
The body of Mr. Campbell will be buried at Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, PA.
(The above information was taken from one of his Obituaries from the Waynesburg Democrat, March 15, 1895)
WAS BURNED TO DEATH
"Rufus K. Campbell's Life Brought to An Awful Close"
He Was Alone -- An Oil Lamp Exploded as He was Coming Down the Stairway, Throwing the Burning Oil Over His Shirt and Literally Roasting Him...
Rufus King Campbell, Esq., an aged and well known citizen was burned to death at an early hour Tuesday morning at his home, in the Rosetoro addition, a mile southeast of Washington, but the horrible affair was not discovered until about 5:30 o'clock the same evening. Mr. Campbell and wife lived alone in a comfortable two story frame house. For several days Mrs. Campbell had been at the home of her brother, Albert Lacock, in South Franklin township, assisting in the nursing of the children of the brother, one of whom died and was buried on Monday.
During her absence Mr. Campbell occupied the house alone. His business called him to Pittsburg almost every morning. He was last seen alive Monday evening, going out East Maiden street about 5:15 o'clock. His bed indicated he had slept in it Monday night.
Mrs. Campbell returned from her brother's home, Tuesday evening, on the Waynesburg train which reaches Washington at 4:50 PM. A half hour later she was at her own dwelling, when she went into the hall her foot struck against the broken lamp. Looking up the stairway one of the most horrible sights that could be imagined was before her. Seated about two thirds of the way up the flight of stairs was the dead body of her husband. She gave the alarm to the neighbors and in a few minutes, it was known all over the neighborhood and soon spread into the town.
A messenger was dispatched for Coroner Johnson, but as the official was in Pittsburg, Justice Alex W. Hart, of East Washington, took charge of the case. After viewing the body and examining the surroundings Justice Hart decided there was no necessity to hold an inquest and directed that the body be turned over to the undertakers.
The manner of Mr. Campbell's death was very apparent. He had got out of bed sometime in the night or very early in the morning, put on his trousers, socks and shirt and with the small lighted lamp in his hand started down the stairway. When a third of the way down the lamp exploded, setting fire to his shirt and probably stunning him to such an extent he could do nothing to relieve himself from the flames that were slowly roasting him to death. He was found sitting on one of the steps, his body leaning to the right against the wall. His shirt and undershirt were burned completely off his chest. The flames had then one out without igniting the stairway, although the carpet was burned in several places.
The deceased was a native of Waynesburg and was widely known throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was in his 75th year. About 1850 he was Sheriff of Green County. Several years later he represented that county in the legislature. Then he was engaged in merchandizing in Waynesburg. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Eighth Penn. Reserves and served about a year.
During the incumbency of the U.S. Marshal's Office by Marshals Murdoch, Hall and Rutan, the deceased was Deputy Marshal. For some time past, he has been the crier in the U.S. Circuit and districk courts in Pittsburg.
His home has been in Washington for quite a long time. He was almost a daily passenger over the Chartiers road. He was a very genial man, with hosts of friends who will be shocked at the awful fate that has overtaken him.
Mr. Campbell's first wife was the eldest daughter of John Hart, deceased. By that union, there were four children: Albert, Susan and Mary, all dead, and John H. Campbell of the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg. There were no children by the second marriage.
The body of Mr. Campbell will be buried at Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, PA.
(The above information was taken from one of his Obituaries from the Waynesburg Democrat, March 15, 1895)
"Rufus K. Campbell's Life Brought to An Awful Close"
He Was Alone -- An Oil Lamp Exploded as He was Coming Down the Stairway, Throwing the Burning Oil Over His Shirt and Literally Roasting Him...
Rufus King Campbell, Esq., an aged and well known citizen was burned to death at an early hour Tuesday morning at his home, in the Rosetoro addition, a mile southeast of Washington, but the horrible affair was not discovered until about 5:30 o'clock the same evening. Mr. Campbell and wife lived alone in a comfortable two story frame house. For several days Mrs. Campbell had been at the home of her brother, Albert Lacock, in South Franklin township, assisting in the nursing of the children of the brother, one of whom died and was buried on Monday.
During her absence Mr. Campbell occupied the house alone. His business called him to Pittsburg almost every morning. He was last seen alive Monday evening, going out East Maiden street about 5:15 o'clock. His bed indicated he had slept in it Monday night.
Mrs. Campbell returned from her brother's home, Tuesday evening, on the Waynesburg train which reaches Washington at 4:50 PM. A half hour later she was at her own dwelling, when she went into the hall her foot struck against the broken lamp. Looking up the stairway one of the most horrible sights that could be imagined was before her. Seated about two thirds of the way up the flight of stairs was the dead body of her husband. She gave the alarm to the neighbors and in a few minutes, it was known all over the neighborhood and soon spread into the town.
A messenger was dispatched for Coroner Johnson, but as the official was in Pittsburg, Justice Alex W. Hart, of East Washington, took charge of the case. After viewing the body and examining the surroundings Justice Hart decided there was no necessity to hold an inquest and directed that the body be turned over to the undertakers.
The manner of Mr. Campbell's death was very apparent. He had got out of bed sometime in the night or very early in the morning, put on his trousers, socks and shirt and with the small lighted lamp in his hand started down the stairway. When a third of the way down the lamp exploded, setting fire to his shirt and probably stunning him to such an extent he could do nothing to relieve himself from the flames that were slowly roasting him to death. He was found sitting on one of the steps, his body leaning to the right against the wall. His shirt and undershirt were burned completely off his chest. The flames had then one out without igniting the stairway, although the carpet was burned in several places.
The deceased was a native of Waynesburg and was widely known throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was in his 75th year. About 1850 he was Sheriff of Green County. Several years later he represented that county in the legislature. Then he was engaged in merchandizing in Waynesburg. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Eighth Penn. Reserves and served about a year.
During the incumbency of the U.S. Marshal's Office by Marshals Murdoch, Hall and Rutan, the deceased was Deputy Marshal. For some time past, he has been the crier in the U.S. Circuit and districk courts in Pittsburg.
His home has been in Washington for quite a long time. He was almost a daily passenger over the Chartiers road. He was a very genial man, with hosts of friends who will be shocked at the awful fate that has overtaken him.
Mr. Campbell's first wife was the eldest daughter of John Hart, deceased. By that union, there were four children: Albert, Susan and Mary, all dead, and John H. Campbell of the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg. There were no children by the second marriage.
The body of Mr. Campbell will be buried at Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, PA.
(The above information was taken from one of his Obituaries from the Waynesburg Democrat, March 15, 1895)
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