Posted on: Pierce Co. Wi Obituaries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/PierceObits/10103 Surname: Hanson ------------------------- Spring Valley Sun, October 7, 1915 Ophelia and Violet Hanson CHILDREN BURNED While Alone They Set Fire to House and Die in the Flames Two little daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis O. Hanson, living in Spring Lake, were burned to death Monday. Mr. Hanson went to town with a load of grain that morning, and promised Ophelia, aged almost seven, a pair of new shoes on his return; The little girl was pleased, and offered to wash the dishes for her mother. The other children went to school, leaving Ophelia and Violet, the baby, aged almost four, at home, and the mother went to put the cattle in the pasture. She stopped in the garden for a moment. Sound of an explosion drew her eyes to the house; windows were blown out, and fire came out of every opening. The home, an old log structure, was ablaze in an instant. After the fire the remains of the two bodies were found in a corner of the front room where the organ had stood under the frame of an iron bed which had been upstairs. It is thought that the girls poured kerosene on coals in the kitchen stove, an explosion resulting, and that they fled for refuge as far as they could. Funeral will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 1 o'clock from Krueger & Dobratz undertaking rooms, burial being made in Spring Lake cemetery. The house and its contents were a total loss. Seven children are left Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, but the entire community sympathizes deeply with them in their sorrow at this tragedy. Contributed by Joe Waddell Link: Pierce County WIGenWeb Project URL: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce/>