Obituaries: Tophile Miller, 1928, Winn Parish, LA
Submitter: Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
Source: Winnfield News-American
Date: February 10, 1928
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Burns Fatal to Tophile Miller Hodge Fireman

Tophile Miller, aged 31 years, fireman in the employ of the McGinty Pipeline
Company at HOdge, La., who was seriously burned at his work Thursday, February
2, due to a gasoline explosion when firing a boiler, died about twelve hours
after the accident.  The end came at Riverside Sanitarium at Monroe at 8:10
o'clock Thursday night.

Mrs. Miller, wife of the victim of the accident, hastened, upon receipt of
ill-fated news, from her home at Jennings by auto.

When a few miles north of Alexandria, the car turned turtle and all occupants
were badly jarred and one man in the party sustained a fractured arm.  He was
taken back to a hospital at Alexandria for treatment.

The damage to the car was repaired and the party hastened to Monroe where they
arrived at midnight, some hours after the death of Mr. Miller.

The body was sent Friday to Lake Charles, accompanied by the wife.  At that
city it will be taken overland to Jennings where the funeral was held and
interment made.  

Miller is survived by his wife and an adopted daughter, the latter being six
years of age.

The accident occurred when Miller, in starting the regular morning's fire
under a boiler, failing to get the flame started as he expected from the use
of kindling, placed some gasoline on the wood.

There was an explosion almost instantly and he was burned from head to foot.
His clothing was almost entirely consumed.

Fellow workmen went to the rescue and the fire was stifled but not until he
had been fearfully burned.

Removal was made to Monroe by ambulance shortly after the accident and ever
possible atteion was given at a local hospital but death could not be stayed.