Iberia County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Mathews, Martha nee Randall - December 29, 1914 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com January 16, 2018, 11:36 pm source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, January 02, 1915, Image 4 TWO SAD DEATHS. The residents of New Iberia were terribly shocked when the sad news was wired here of the tragic deaths at Port Arthur, Texas on Tuesday morning of Mrs. E. M. Bonnette, wife of the late A. F. Bonnette who died on April 23d, 1911 and Mrs. Bonnette's mother, Mrs. M. J. Matthews, a native of Louisville, Ky., aged 83 years. It was only a month since that these two estimable ladies removed to Port Arthur to reside with Mr. Lawrence Bonnette, a young son who is employed there. It seems Mrs. Bonnette was kindling a fire in the kitchen of their new home and thinking that she could apply a few drops of coal oil to produce a quick ignition undertook to do so with gasoline that had been sold them by mistake and an explosion took place killing both before help could arrive. Mrs. Bonnette lived only long enough to explain the terrible accident. The Bonnette family came to New Iberia from Iberville Parish about fifteen years ago and were endeared to this community. The remains of both mother and daughter arrived in New Iberia last Wednesday night, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. Diggs on Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Among the sons living to mourn the death of their relatives are Messrs. Bonito, Ransdall, Lawrence, Clayton and Angus. They have the deep sympathy of the whole community. source: source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, January 02, 1915, Image 5 TWO IBERIANS KILLED AT PORT ARTHUR. Port Arthur, Texas, Dec. 29. - Mrs. E. M. Bonnette, age 52, and her mother, Mrs. M. Mathews, aged 75, are both dead as the result of an explosion in a can of gasoline this morning about 8 o'clock at their residence, 716 Dallas Avenue. Mrs. Bonnette died at 1:30 o'clock and Mrs. Mathews died shortly after five o'clock this afternoon. The two women were in the kitchen making a fire in the stove. Mrs. Bonnette picked up a can supposed to contain coal oil and poured it on the fire. Immediately there was an explosion that blew out the bottom of the can and ignited the dresses of both women. Those living in the neighborhood rushed to the assistance and succeeded in extinguishing the flames. Mrs. Breaux, who lives next door, telephoned for the ambulance and the two women were removed to the Mary Gates hospital. Mrs. Bonnette was enveloped in the flames and was burned from head to foot. Mrs. Matthews was also burned severely about the body. L. Bonnette, son of Mrs. Bonnette, who is in the employ of The Texas Company, was notified of the explosion and arrived at his home shortly afterwards. The fire department was also called and succeeded in extinguishing the fire with but little trouble. The fire was confined to the kitchen and did little damage to the building. Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Bonnette are former residents of New Iberia, La., and lately moved to this city to keep house for Mrs. Bonnette's son. They moved into their new home last Saturday. Mrs. Bonnette has another son who lives at New Iberia, La., who was notified of the accident. He arrived in the city this evening. Card of Thanks. To those residents of New Iberia and friends and relatives of our family, who so kindly assisted us in the hour of our distress in our sad misfortune upon losing our beloved mother and grand-mother, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks. L. and D. C. Bonnette. Additional Comments: NOTE: www.findagrave.com memorial # 75487184 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/iberia/obits/m/mathews7237gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb