Forsyth County, NC - Charles Atwood Burnt to Death, 1879

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The following two articles are accounts of the death of Charles Atwood 
born 1836 and died 9-24-1879. He was the son of William F. Atwood and 
Mary Steelman and was the husband of Emily F. Alspaugh. I do not know 
the name of the Forsyth County newspaper because the copy that was sent 
to me is only of the articles themselves. 
 
 
Newspaper September 1879
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT

A Worthy Citizen and an Excellent Farmer Burnt to Death

During the whole of our journalistic career, we have never been called 
upon to chronicle a more terrible and distressing calamity than that 
which befell Mr. Chas. Atwood, one of our most highly esteemed and 
greatly beloved farmers, on Wednesday last. On the morning named, he 
was engaged in "finishing up" a barn of tobacco. About 4 o'clock Mr. 
J.W. Griffith, who was engaged at a barn near by, discovered Mr. 
Atwood's barn to be on fire and ran to his assistance. When in about 20 
paces he saw Mr. Atwood plunge out of the barn door and fall, his 
clothing in a perfect blaze. He poured water on him, wrapped him in a 
quilt, and succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but not until he was 
burnt in a horrible manner - beyond recognition. He was carried home and 
lingered until 1 o'clock the same day when he died. He spoke a few 
words before his death. Said he did not remember how he got into the 
barn, but the first recollection he had he was in there and had lost 
his course. He ran against the sides of the barn once or twice, and 
when he found the door, it was when Mr. Griffith saw him plunge out. 
He was buried at Mt. Tabor on Thursday last, a large concourse of 
relatives and friends attending the burial service. 

This is indeed a sad death and a gloom has been cast over the entire 
community. He was a man beloved by all who knew him, and had a host of 
friends. He was prepared for death and so expressed himself. The 
sympathies of the community are with the bereaved ones in their 
affliction.
 

EDITOR LEADER, With your kind permission I will give an eye-witness 
statement of the sad calamity that befell Mr. Atwood. He was about to 
finish curing a barn of tobacco on Wednesday morning, September 24th. I 
was engaged in yellowing another barn some two or three hundred yards 
off. I saw a light and ran to the barn, where Mr. Atwood was, and when 
in about twenty paces, I saw him plunge out the barn door, his clothes 
in a light blaze, which were nearly destroyed. It occurred to me that 
he had some water there to drink and I would pour it on him. I found a 
little in a tub which I poured on him. It was not enough to extinguish 
the flames. He was so badly burnt I did not recognize him. While 
pouring the water on him, and he struggling in the flames, I called 
twice at the top of my voice for Charlie. Then I said Charlie is that 
you? He replied yes. I dropped the tub and gathered him in my arms and 
tried to run, the fire was getting so hot I could not stand it. I 
carried him a short distance and I saw his pantaloons were still 
blazing, I ran back to the barn and got a quilt with which I smothered 
the flames out. I started to get some water and met his wife and son 
Albert, who had been aroused. I gave Albert the tub and sent him for 
water. His wife asked me if Charlie was burnt much. I replied yes, poor 
fellow, he is burnt to death and if you have anything to say to him, go 
to him quick. Mrs. Atwood asked him if he had breathed the fire. He 
said "no, I kept my mouth shut." It was some two hours after he was 
burned before he would allow us to move him. When we got him to the 
house, he tried to tell how it happened. He said he "must have gone 
into the barn in his sleep, and in the twinking of an eye the flames 
were all around me."

We removed the remaining clothes that were upon him and dressed his 
wounds. He said he did not suffer from his burns at all, frequently 
repeating "all is well, all is well." He readily answered all questions 
and remained quiet and conscious up to his death. Before he died he 
gave some directions as to the management of his affairs. Requested 
that he should be buried at Mt. Tabor, and selected the minister, who 
he wanted to preach his funeral. Mrs. A. asked him if his way was 
clear. He replied, "yes, all is well, glory, glory, glory, to God for a 
hope of heaven! I would not take ten thousand worlds for my hope." In 
regard to his son he said, "I commit him into the hands of God," To his 
friend he said, "meet me in heaven." He warned his neighbors "to be 
prepared and make preparation to meet death as I have done." His wife 
kissed him and asked him if he felt her touch. He said "yes, and I see 
you and I know it is you." He then said "meet me in heaven," and in a 
whisper, "all is well, all is well."
J. W. Griffith

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