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Note: Flossie Michael's account and fire that took the lives of two of her children. I will never forget the awful tragedy of my life. It was on a lonely evening as the sun was sinking into darkness. To the horror of my eyes, my two darling babies were burned to death in my home. Oh, the sadness and sorrow of that hour I do not want to recall. It has been 26 years ago. The tears come to my eyes yet. When I think of it, it breaks my heart. It was a lonely evening with four babies on our farm nine miles from town. My husband had gone to town to hunt help to plant the crop. He had told me he would stay all night and to get a neighbor girl to stay with me. The girl did not come. I got the two babies ready and put them to bed. The other two went with me to feed and milk. We had lots of cows and mules, hogs and horses to feed. The stillness with the sun sinking out of sight was such a sad moment. Just as I started to milk, my little girl (Elaine) the oldest of the four looked so worried. She said, "Oh, Mama, Look"! I looked across the road which was a lane with barbed wire on both sides. A neighbor man was burning brush. I said, "Yes, I see. Mr. Tucker is burning his brush. She said, "No, Mama, it's our house". I looked at the house, the blaze was coming out by the chimney. I threw my bucket and screamed, "Oh, my babies!!" I told the other two to stay where they were. I ran to the house to save my darling babies. I did not think they were dead. Mr. Tucker saw me and ran to me. I had knocked open the front door, and to my horror, the room where the most precious things to me lay sleeping was ablaze. I ran to the window. I was going to get my darlings. Mr. Tucker grabbed from behind. I fought and screamed. I begged him to save my babies. He said he could not. He wouldn't let me loose. He held me so I couldn't do a thing. Not a sound did we hear. The stillness I shall never forget. I felt my babies were still asleep, and if I could get help, I could save them. As the fire crackled, I had almost lost my mind. I was trying to do something, but I was too weak. Mr. Tucker told me if I would leave the house, he would walk me to the gate. I knew I would have to get somebody to come. I did not know where my little boy (Charlie) was, my girl was clinging to my dress. I screamed for Mr. McNut, who lived closest to us. He had heard the screaming and was running to me. He asked where the children were. I told him to save the babies, one was on one side of the room in the bed and the other was on the other side of the room on a cot. I said, "Mr. McNut, please save them". He said he would try. I did not know what I was doing. I passed a neighbor's house. The woman ran out and tried to take me inside. I pulled loose and told her I had to go and get my husband. The next thing I knew, two men cam to me in a field. My little girl was still holding my dress tail. I looked and asked if they had saved my babies. There was a silence, then they told me my babies were gone. Those words froze me. I looked up to heaven. It seemed a voice said to me, "No harm can come to them. They are safe in the arms of Jesus". I told Mr. Tucker he would sink to the bottom pit for holding me from by babies. He left. I didn't see him anymore. I knew I had nothing left. I didn't care. I did not want to live. I was a Christian and so I asked God to have mercy on me. I knew Jesus was my friend. As I sat there, the people came from far and wide. At last, my husband came. They telephoned him. He and his brother-in-law jumped on horses and ran them all the way. He had a good cow pony. When my husband rode up and jumped off his horse, the horse stood stiff blowing so loud they thought she would die. He asked if anyone was hurt. They told him the two babies were burned to death. He couldn't believe it. He froze and has never been the same. It hardened his heart, when they showed him the baby girl. They brought the remains up to a dear old friend's house. This poor old lady tried to get the babies. It broke her heart when she couldn't. I promised in that hour of woe that I would trust Him. I knew He was the only one who could share my sorrows. Oh, how dark it seemed. The whole world turned black. While I sat there, the people whispered and talked. I felt I couldn't stay. My husband's people all came first. They came that night. We sat up all night long. People were coming and going all the time. The next morning, my mother and father came. They were stricken with grief. By this time, I began to feel like it was a bad dream. Our house was so cozy and neat, and our four children were so pretty and sweet, my home and my children. I sat there and didn't eat or sleep. Next day, I saw them bring in a little casket all white. Oh, how sad! They told me I must get ready. I didn't have anything to wear. Someone brought by an old coat and veil. I couldn't see why God didn't let me go with my darlings. Someone said I was spared for the other children. I will never forget on that cold muddy day we had nine miles to go the the cemetery. We had a service and they sang "SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS". With sorrow, we laid our precious darlings to rest in one little grave. __________________ Article in the Boswell Oklahoma paper dated 2/26/1914 TWO CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH Fire Wednesday Evening Destroys Home of J. C. Michael, 8 Miles North of Town, With Above Result. The town of Boswell was thrown into excitement Wednesday night when news reached here that the Home of J. C. Michael, who lives eight miles north of town, had been destroyed by fire and their two little babies had perished in the flames. The mother was at the cow lot milking and had left the babies in the house alone. The house was in a solid mass of flames before anyone knew it was on fire. The mother made a desperate effort to save her children and would have no doubt perished if some neighbors had not arrived on the scene and prevented her from entering the burned building. Mr. Michael was in Boswell at the time and was notified of the horrible affair and left at once for his home. It is a mystery how the fire originated. The little bodies were burned almost to a crisp and could hardly be recognized. ___________________ Poem written by Flossie Gilmore Michael God Will Take Care of Me My days is sad and lonely My best friend is God alone. He keeps me He takes care of me For I am his own. He understands my heart He will take care of me When from my loved ones I half to part.
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