Mrs. Tom Childs
April 9, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper

The wife of Tom Childs, a well known cattle man and miner 
living in the vicinity of Gila Bend was burned to death 
Monday afternoon, the ranch house totally destroyed and 
their infant child saved only by  the timely presnce of 
an Indian who acted with all the heroism and judgement 
under such exciting circumstances.

Mrs. Childs was preparing for the family dinner and in 
lighting the fire it is supposed she used a cup of 
kerosene which ignited sooner than was expected, 
setting fire to her clothing and burning her fatally 
before the Indian who chanced to be passing had noted 
her predicament.  She ran out of the house at once and 
shortly lapsed into unconsciousness.  The Indian rushed 
into the burning house and resuced the babe and laid it 
on the ground next to its dying mother.

By this time the fire was too far advanced for the 
Indian to make any succesful effort extinguishing it, 
so he hastily mounted a horse and rode to Gila Bend 
where Mr. Childs chanced to be.  He secured a 
physician and went home as quickly as possible 
only to find his wife, still in death and attended 
only by the motherless babe. It was a most pitful 
scene and one of which there can be no adequate 
description.  The distracted husband and father 
superintended the removal of the remains to Gila 
Bend where the funeral will be held today.

Tom Childs is well known in Phoenix having spent his 
boyhood here and for years he has lived in the vicinity 
of Gila Bend. His many friends in both places will 
sympathize with him deeply in his sudden and terrible 
affliction.