The Saint Paul Globe

CHILD'S CLOSE CALL

SOPHIA PETERSON, AGED THREE NARROWLY ESCAPES BEING BURNED TO DEATH.

WAS PLAYING WITH EMBERS OF A BONFIRE WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT IN CLEANING UP RUBBISH.

BURNING CLOTHES TORN OFF By the Frantic Mother Just in Time to Save the Little One's Life

The presence of mind and prompt action of Mrs. Hanson Peterson yesterday morning doubtless saved her three-year-old daughter, Sophia, from serious injury and possible death by burning. The little one's clothing caught fire from a burning rubbish heap, and Mrs. Peterson, hearing the child's wild screams, ran from the house to see the flames of the burning clothing dancing about the babe's body. Without a moment's hesitation the mother seized the child, regardless of the danger to herself, and literally tore the burning clothing to shreds in her effort to save the imperiled baby. So potently did the mother's love assert itself that Mrs. Peterson succeeded in denuding the infant almost before the fire reached the flesh, and, as the child did not inhale any of the flames, its only injury, with the exception of a bad fright, is one painful superficial burn on the left side.

The Peterson family lives at 539 Ohio street, where Mr. Peterson conducts a small bakery. Yesterday morning Willie, a four-year-old boy, and his little sister Sophia were playing in front of the bakery, when they were attracted across the street where a small pile of straw was being burned in front of D. R. Mickelsen's grocery store. The flames had nearly died out, and no one was near to warn the children of the danger in stirring up the embers. They crouched over the fire with childish curiosity and poked the ashes about, laughing at each other when a spiteful flame darted forth. Suddenly the girl's light clothing became ignited. She screamed, and her brother frantically tried to put out the fire. In an instant, however, the child's skirts were all ablaze, and she ran toward her home. The wind caused the inflammable clothing to burn more rapidly, and when Mrs. Peterson answered the little one's screams the baby was almost enveloped in fire. In a moment, however, the mother had torn off the garments.