|
a.
|
Note: May 31, 1918 Newspaper Report March 9. 1906 Born in Cheddar, England May 7, 1907 sailed for America with his mother , siblings and Aunt May 17, 1907 Landed in New York 1907or 1908 Came to Lancaster, California 1918 Died from burns and smoke inhalation, he is buried in Lancaster Cemetery District. Following newspaper article is below Gas Explosion Kills young boy. Maurice Reynolds burns to death when gasoline can explodes while exterminating ants. Maurice Reynolds the 12 year son of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Reynolds meet death last Friday as a result of an explosion of a can of gasoline. Some ants had built their nest in the back yard at the Reynolds home and Maurice poured distill ant into the nest and set it blaze. As the flames died down he attempted to pour more distill ant into the hole. The can caught and exploded throwing oil all over the unlucky boy. In seconds his clothing was a mass of flames and he ran screaming across the yard. His mother attracted to the cries, ran to his assistance catching a bedspread from the line on the way but the boy was so frightened that he ran away from her. Some neighbors finally caught him and extinguished the flames with light dirt. Physicians were called immediately but announced there was no hope of saving the youths life as he had inhaled the flames in addition to receiving extensive burns on the outside of his body. Maurice passed away that evening. He was exceptionally bright chap and beloved by all who knew him and came in contact with him. His uniform politeness won him a spot in the hearts of many Lancaster people and many were the floral and Verbal tributes in his honor at the funeral on Sunday afternoon. He was a student at the Lancaster Grammer School and the flag flew at half mast in his honor Monday while his classmates decorated his desk. The sincere sympathy of the entire community goes out to the stricken family.
|
