Troy Daily News

June 8, 1942

BABY SUCCUMBS TO BURNS RECEIVED IN ACCIDENT ON PICNIC

CLOTHING CATCHES FIRE FROM FLAMING GASOLINE TOSSED BY BROTHER

KAY DARLENE DEMMITT, 14 month old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Demmitt, R. R. 3, New Carlisle, was fatally burned by gasoline flames In an accident at the Demmitt farm about 3 p.m. Sunday.

The child was brought to the Stouder Memorial hospital for treatment but died at 6 a.m. Monday.  The body was removed to the Coppock-Lee & Rousseau Funeral home in Tipp City pending the completion of funeral arrangements.

According to reports the accident occurred as the family was on a picnic along a creek on the Demmitt farm.  A fire was started to roast weiners and a brother of the baby, Donald, poured some gasoline on the fire from a can to hasten the blaze.  The gasoline ignited in the can and the boy threw it to one side.  The can fell in front of the baby who had toddled near the fire, unnoticed.

 The flaming liquid splashed onto the child igniting its clothing.  Members of the family smothered the flames but not until the baby incurred fatal burns.

The survivors include the parents, Floyd, Jr., Donald, Billy and Jimmy, and two sisters, Phyllis O. and Dorothy.

Note: buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, Tipp City, Miami Co., OH; born March 25, 1941, Miami Co., OH;  mother - Laura