Heroism of Miss Belle MANN in CA in 1871
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Vern D
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Transcribed by Dee Sardoch
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Stockton Daily Independent
Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA
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>>Wednesday, 2 Aug 1871<<
MISS BELLE MANN -- Wonderful Heroism -- The San Joaquin Valley 'Argus' in speaking of the fire which occurred at Snellings July 22d says:
The origin of the fire, as nigh as it can be ascertained, was as follows:
George W. HALSTEAD and wife were attending singing school, leaving at home a young lady by the name of Belle MANN, about 15 years of age, and 3 children, 1 an infant.The children all went to bed, leaving the lamp, a new patent fluid tube lamp, burning on the bureau. This was the 2nd time the lamp had been lighted. The infant was sleeping in a cradle in the room where the lamp stood. Miss MANN and the other 2 children were in another room on the opposite side of the house -- all asleep.
Miss MANN says the screams of the child in the cradle awoke her. Springing instantly from the bed she darted into the room where the child lay, the cradle entirely enveloped in flames, seized the child and took it to the porch; returning, seized the 2nd and thrust it through the window and told it to run for life, then snatching up the 3rd made her escape before anyone could reach her, but not without being severely, though not fatally, burned. Her right arm to the shoulder, was terribly burned while in the act of rescuing the infant from the cradle, as also were her shoulders and some other portions of her body. The infant was very severely burnt, and for a time supposed to be fatal; but, as we are writing, intelligence is brought us that they are both convalescent.
In another portion of the paper the 'Argus' says: The heroic conduct of Miss Belle MANN in saving the children from the flames on the occasion of the fire in this place on Saturday evening last, has been the theme of conversation among our citizens ever since the occurrence. Though herself but a child in years, she exhibited a degree of heroism in braving the fury of the flames to rescue the 3 helpless, sleeping little children, that would do honor to the most devoted and self-sacrificing mother when witnessing danger to her offspring. Though severely burned, we are pleased to learn that she, and also the infant whom she rescued from the burning building at a time when its cradle and clothing were enveloped in flames, are rapidly recovering from the effects of their burns.
The Sonora 'Democrat' says: The face of one of the children was burned to a blister, and for a time it was feared its eyes were destroyed. Miss MANN was badly burned in the back, and is suffering severely from her injury.Her heroism has been recognized by the citizens of Snelling, who made up and presented her with $250.