In "Death Notices in The Buffalo Reflex, Dallas Co., MO 1878-1885" (compiled by Peggy Goertzen, 1988) I find "Miss Alice Cannon, who lives about 10 miles southwest of this place in Polk County, was a victim to the fire fiend on the 19th inst. while standing with her back toward the fire, . . . in an unguarded moment her skirts rested in the flames . . ." (BR, 25 Jan. 1882) and "Miss Alice Cannon of Polk County, who was a victim to the fire fiend,...died of her wounds on the 26th ult" (BR, 1 Feb. 1882) Hope this helps. Maxine