The Ouachita Telegraph - Mansfield Baker Dies when Steinau Residence Burns

Date: Aug. 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>

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The Ouachita Telegraph
Friday, May 17, 1878
Page 3, Column 2

Burning of Mr. Steinau’s Residence --- A Colored Woman Burned to Death.
        The residence of Mr. D. Steinau caught fire Monday and the building was
entirely consumed.  Mr. Steinau lost his kitchen and dining room furniture
and a portion of the clothing of his family.  The building was owned by Mr.
S.W. Bennett, of New Orleans, and was, in the main portion, a storey (sic)
and a half high.  It was built of wood and comprised six rooms.
        At some distance, on the night of the fire, an explosion was heard and the
bright flash of a light seen.  A nurse in the family, it seems, named
Mansfield Baker, was in the kitchen with a small glass hand lamp.  This
nurse stated that upon entering an adjacent room, the lamp exploded.  From
the explosion the house caught on fire, and the clothes of Mansfield also
took fire.  She ran into the main room where Mrs. Steinau was undressing the
baby and attempted to gather hold of her and then the baby, appealing for
help.  Mrs. Steinau, with the child in her arms, fought the burning nurse
off and finally got her ought of the room, but not before the child was
burned about the face and she (Mrs. S.) was burned on the hand and arm.  The
nurse then flew about the house, and then went into the street.  Mr. Bell,
who lives near, heard the screams of Mansfield, as he sat at supper, rushed
out on the street and found her running around completely bewildered.  He
pulled off his coat, as he ran, and threw it around the woman, who was all
in a blaze, took hold of her and dragged her to the gutter where there was
some water and threw her into it.  This extinguished the flames.  The poor
creature, however, was already burned in several places on her body to a
crisp.  Her chest, back, thighs and arms were burned dry on the surface.
Dr. Sholars was called in and administered opiates to the woman – all he
could do.  Her screams and cries were almost heart-rending, and her
condition was represented as horrible.  In about 12 hours the woman died.
        Mr. Steinau saved, in a damaged condition, some of his household furniture,
clothing, &c., but lost all of his kitchen and dining room furniture.  His
family was sadly distressed at such an unexpected calamity, and his
misfortune is to be deplored.  Mr. bennett, owner of the building, had no
insurance, and neither had Mr. Steinau.  We sympathise (sic) with all the
sufferers, and warn our readers to be careful with coal oil lamps.

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