The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, February 11, 1909 On February 3, MRS. SALLIE HARMONY or Aunt SALLIE as she was called, met with a fatal accident at Columbia. She was past 90 years of age and lived alone. Her remains were found on the floor with clothes burned off and must have met death sometime during Tuesday night. Her body was in a charred condition when found, lying in a heap. As she resided alone and was without company on the fatal night the facts concerning her death cannot be told. Her condition was discovered half past 7 or 8 o'clock Wednesday morning by her brother-in-law, ALF PHELPS, who had gone to her home to start her fire and look after her other wants. Her greatest comfort during her lonely days and nights was her pipe, which had been her constant companion for many years. The evidence of the overturned chair and charred remains and the pipe suggests the idea that she arose in the night to stir up the fire and take a quiet smoke. Her clothing probably became ignited, either from the stove or from the match used in lighting the pipe and the great wonder is that the house was not burned. This would have obliterated all. She was one of the pioneers of the northern part of Lucas County but had resided in Columbia for many years. HARRISON PARKER, of Knoxville, is a brother, and MRS. ALF PHELPS, a half-sister. On account of the ghastly condition of the remains the funeral services and burial took place on the afternoon of the accident. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert May 9, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net