Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Hughes Homeplace Burns (1927)

The Bee (Danville, Virginia) 26 September 1927 (Page 1)

Woman 83, Dies, Son Is Seriously Burned When Caswell Co. Home Burns
(Special To The Bee)

Yanceyville, N. C. Sept. 26 (1927) - Mrs W. A. Hughes, age 83, was burned to death, and her son, Charles Fitch, age 48 was seriously burned early yesterday morning when the old Hughes homestead was destroyed by fire. The structure, one of the few remaining old homesteads in Caswell county, was totally destroyed. The loss is
estimated at $6,000.

The fire was discovered about 1 o'clock and its origin at present is unknown. Mrs. Hughes and her son were the only occupants of the house at the time. Both were awaken in time to escape, but Mrs. Hughes, evidently unnoticed, re-entered the burning structure, it is said, to save an amount of money which she had placed in a place of safety there. Mr. Fitch soon discovered that his mother was in the building and rushed to her rescue. He found that he had been seriously burned, but picked her up and struggled with her to the outside, being seriously burned himself in the heroic attempt to save his mother. Mrs. Hughes lived a few minutes after being removed from the house, while her son was rushed to a hospital in Burlington for
treatment. It is reported that his condition is serious and that he is not expected to live.

Mrs. Hughes was one of the oldest residents of the county and was widely known. She had been married twice, the last time at the age 80 years to W. A. Hughes, who preceded her to the grave about two years ago.

Her residence was within one mile of the old homestead of George Anderson which was destroyed by fire a short time ago.

Permalink

No comments:

Post a Comment