Martin, David (d. 1932)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Dec 28 p. 1

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Youth Burned to Death When Oil Can Explodes.

Corn, Oklahoma, Dec. 22.— David Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Martin residing several miles southwest of Corn, passed away last week Friday afternoon, ten hours after he had been seriously burnt by an oil fire. The fire occurred about five o'clock in the morning when David had endeavored to make fire in the heating stove which was set up in the dining room. The boy had come down stairs entirely dresse3d, except for his shoes, according to those who related the incident. It seems that he had a rather hard time starting the fire and had used naphtha fuel oil from about a half full two gallon can. The heater had the door on the north side and when the fire had not burned to his satisfaction, he had taken the can and poured more fuel onto the flames. The region about his chest received the most of the oil which immediately ignited. The parents bedroom adjoins the dining room on the northwest and both awoke at the sound of the explosion. When Mr. Martins endeavored to get into the room, he had to first quench the fire which was raging furiously near the door of the bedroom. Mr. Martins heard the boy cry for pain but could not reach him until the fire between him and the boy had been extinguished. Four large quilts were destroyed before the fire was under control. Soon after the explosion the boy had endeavored to escape but could not get out because of locked doors which he could not unlock in his excitement. As soon as the door was opened the boy rolled himself in the snow, thereby quenching the flames. His arms were burned to the extent that only several small pieces of skin remained, so also the body and face. Medical aid and neighborly help was immediately summoned. His arms were so badly burned that feeling was never regained. His face was considerable disfigured but he remained conscious until a few minutes before he passed away, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

David was a student at the Bible School here and drove the distance every day.

Funeral services wer held Tuesday afternoon. — Washita Co. Enterprise.