Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Emmons, R. Florance & Max November 21, 1900
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com July 22, 2016, 11:22 am

Ionia Sentinel - Thursday, Nov. 29, 1900

                         TWO CHILDREN BURIED ALIVE,
           Little Florance and Max Emmons Smothered Under Sand
                      WERE DIGGING IN THE "HOG BACK" 

At Corner of North Jefferson and Allen Streets, and Were Caught Under Two or 
Three Feet of Earth, which Caved in Upon Them - Sons of Mrs. Margaret Emmons - 
Bodies Buried Several Hours Before Found.

The sand bank, commonly called the "Hog Back," at the corner of North Jefferson 
and Allen streets, was the scene of an awful fatality Nov. 21, when two little 
boys, Florance and Max Emmons, were buried alive.

The boys were the sons of Mrs. Margaret Emmons, a widow lady living on Allen 
street. The last the mother saw of her babies (for they were the youngest of a 
family of six sons and daughters), was about 10 o'clock in the morning.

Max pleaded with her - that he might go out to play, and after finishing the 
morning toilet for the two, she acquiesced in their wish.

A few moments later Mrs. Emmons happened to glance out the front window. She 
saw the companions going out on the street. They had a shovel in their hands, 
but she thought nothing of it. At noon they did not return, but she supposed 
they had gone to a niece's on Bayard's flats. The mother sent the daughter, 
Bessie, there in search of them, but the girl, age 11, did not return until 
this morning. Mrs. Emmons was not alarmed until she came home at 6 o'clock, 
having been away during the afternoon.

Supper time came, still the boys did not appear. A search had been instituted, 
but of no avail until about 9 o'clock, when the eldest son, Ward Emmons, took a 
lantern and called for L.T. Tanner, who lives near by, opposite the "Hog Back". 
It was suggested that the missing children might be in the sand and Mrs. Tanner 
recalled the fact that she had seen them in the morning coming down Allen 
street, with the shovel, spoken of by the mother.

Taking a shovel Messrs. Emmons and Tanner at once began digging in the sand 
bank. The first spot availed no results, but a little later they found where, 
owing to the recent wet weather, quiet a quantity of earth had caved in, and 
the sand was fresh. A moment later the men uncovered the two bodies. The boys 
were lying side by side, both heads to the east. Florance was on his back and 
Max, with one leg doubled up under him, was on his face. Their hands were in 
their pockets as though they were trying to keep warm and they were caught 
without warning. Though but two or three feet of earth covered them, they were 
unable to extricate themselves and were smothered.

The bodies were taken across the street to Mr. Tanner's and later to the home. 
Florance would have been seven years of age next January, and Max was five in 
September. Both were bright, energetic little chaps, full of life. Of course, 
the deaths are a great shock to the family, especially to the widowed mother, 
who is a hard working woman. Florance attended the Fourth ward school, and the 
family consists of four remaining children. Another son, Herbert Emmons, served 
with Co. I, in Cuba, and died of the fever soon after his return home.

It was reported Thursday morning that the boys were playing in a big cave, 
which had been dug in the "Hog Back". This of course, was only the result of an 
expanded imagination, as there was no cave, and the boys were playing right at 
the surface, or pit, a section of the bank giving away above them. It is 
thought the eldest had fallen asleep. It has been a place frequented for many 
years by children who gathered there to play in the sand, but as far as known 
this is the first accident, though it is a great wonder others have not been 
caught. It is a dangerous practice.

The funeral services for the two little Emmons boys, Florance and Max were held 
at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon from the M.E. church. The officiating clergyman 
was Rev: W. H.B. Urch and the music was furnished by Miss Beals, organist, 
Mesdames Eugene Smith and S.G. Allured, and Messrs. Allured and Chamberlain. 
The two bodies were encased in one casket and were carried to the grave in 
Highland Park cemetery by four cousins, Willie, Samuel and Willis Horrocks and 
Fred Tanner. The pitiable incidents connected with the tragedy had the effect 
of filling the auditorium full to the doors while the galleries also had to be 
opened. 

Additional Comments:
Funeral: Saturday 24, November 1900
Highland Park cemetery (no stones)
Sons of John H. & Margurette (Horrick) Emmons

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