MISS MINNIE GLEDHILL BURNT TO DEATH. Auckland, April 20.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 1

MISS MINNIE GLEDHILL BURNT TO DEATH. Auckland, April 20.

The most shocking fatality it has boon our lot to chronicle for a long time past occurred at the residence of Mr Gledhill, Argyle-street, Ponsonby, last evening, the victim being Mis.s Minnie Ciledhill, the second daughter of Mr George Gledhill, tho well-known cordial manufacturer. It would appear that last night, about eight o'clock , Mrs Gledhill, accompanied by her -ldest daughter, had gone out to visit a neighbour, leaving Miss Minnie, aged2o, and Miss Nellie, aged about 15, alone in the house. Mr Gledhill was in town at his place ook. k business, and the other two members of the family, the Masters Gledhill, who are studying for the law, were at their instruction class. The two girls, who it appeals slept together, went into their bedroom intending to retire for the night. Before Miss Minnie Gledhill had commenced to undress she observed that the gas brackofc, which was lived to the wall near the window, had been pushed round in such a way that the

FL\ME OF THE GAS came in contact with the window curtain, which was all in a blaze. The girl seized the fiercely - burning cotton fabric of the curtain, and pulling it down to the Hoor proceeded to stamp out tho flames. While thus en^.i^od, the younger sister noticed that Mi^ Minnie's dress had ignited at the back, and rushing forward endeavoured to throw her down and so extinguish tho fire. The unfortunate girl, who by this time li.id become cognisant of her danger, lost all i u\-ence of mind, and escaping from tho anrs of her sister, rushed out of the hou^e shrieking wildly for her mother. The agonised cries of the poor girl brought a large number of neighbours to the spot, also Mrs Gledhill and her eldest daughter. Amongst those early on the scene wove Mr W. S. Furby, Mr L. Stewart, Mr Foster (of the Survey Department), and the Messis Oxley. By this time the ghl was one mass of flames; so fiercely did her clothing burn that many of the neighbours at first thought that tho house was on five. Her burning dress ignited the pine " needles " as she rushed about the garden in her aimless agony, and she then left a train of fire behind her on the ground. Mr Furby and others at once pushed her to tho ground, and wrapping her in rugs and other thick articles speedily had the Hames extinguished. Not one minute could have elapsed between the moment the first scream was heard and the extinguishment of the flames, and yet every stitch of the lower portion of hei clothing was completely burnt oft" her body. The scene was a most heartrending one. Mrs Gledhill was thoroughly prostrated by witnessing her daughter's sufferings, but Miss Gledhill and Nellie displayed groat presence of mind in assisting in the measures for their bister's safety. The telephone was speedily called into requisition, and Mr Gledhill was apprised of the accident. Procuring a cab lie drove at once to Dr. Kenderdine's re 5*- . dence,and half an hour later the poor father and the doctor were in attendance on the victim. Dr. Kenderdine found on I arrival that a good deal had already been done to mitigate her sufferings by the placing of cotton wool and oil on the burnt portions of the body. On examination he found the injuries to be dreadfully severe. The legs, backs of the thighs, and lower portion of the back had suffered most severely. The legs were completely roasted, while the skin had peeled off the thighs in rolls. There were also great burns under the arms, and the back of the chest was fearfully injured. The face had apparently escaped contact with the fire. Miss Gledhill, while in the doctor'^ hands was perfectly sensible, and directed those attending on her where to place the lint and oil.

THE HOUSE ON FIRE. After the flames on Miss Gledhill's clothing were extinguished it was found that the bedroom was on fire ; the burning window curtains having caused the paper and scrim of the wall to ignite. Some of the neighbours extinguished the Humes with some little difficulty. Miss Gledhill passed a night of most cxci u eiating agony. This morning at eight o'clock blie was visited by Dr. Kenderdine, and about a quarter of an hour later she expired. At first the doctor Jiad entertained some slight hope of recovery. The immediate cause of death was shock to the nervous system. The greatest possible sympathy is expressed for the Glcdhill family in their sad trouble. The deceased young lady was a line girl of prepossessing appearance, and a general favourite. She was a prominent member of the Ponsonby Lawn Tennis Club. Miss Nellie Gledhill was also severely burnt in her heroic endeavours to save her sister's life.