On November 28, 1916, Mary was at the home of JP and Agnes Sherman along with 2 Sherman children, Irene, 6, and James, 9 mo. JP was out of town and Agnes had left the house locking the children inside. Because the house was cold, Irene tried to start a fire in the stove when it blazed out of control. Both Irene and Mary got baby James and attempted to drag him out of the house and realized the door had been locked and they could not escape.
Jack Hanson happened upon the fire and was able to drag Irene and Mary out, they were unconscious from smoke. He did not realize James was still in the house till sometime later when his body was found.
Both girls were badly burned, Mary died in the afternoon of November 29 at St Joseph's hospital.
James is buried somewhere at Clay Street Cemetery, his plot lost over time.
-Compiled by JManryRichardson, Clay Street Cemetery Commission-
The Alaska Citizen (Fairbanks) December 12, 1916
IN APPRECIATION OF MARY PORTER
Mary Porter, the little four-year-old child who died recently of burns sustained in the fire at the Sherman cabin last week, was a great favorite with everyone who had acquaintance with her. She was the idol of many old sourdoughs, and among those who feel keenly the loss of little Mary is Jos. Handbury, who penned the following lines in appreciation of his little friend.
Like a bud that has blossomed for only a day,
Like a sunbeam that flashes, then passes away,
Like a strain of sweet music that scarcely is heard,
Like the song of a child, or carol of bird,
Little Mary came to us with heart pure and fond
And at sunrise in life she passes beyond;
All that is mortal sleeps under the sod,
But the beautiful soul is at home with its God.
Jack Hanson happened upon the fire and was able to drag Irene and Mary out, they were unconscious from smoke. He did not realize James was still in the house till sometime later when his body was found.
Both girls were badly burned, Mary died in the afternoon of November 29 at St Joseph's hospital.
James is buried somewhere at Clay Street Cemetery, his plot lost over time.
-Compiled by JManryRichardson, Clay Street Cemetery Commission-
The Alaska Citizen (Fairbanks) December 12, 1916
IN APPRECIATION OF MARY PORTER
Mary Porter, the little four-year-old child who died recently of burns sustained in the fire at the Sherman cabin last week, was a great favorite with everyone who had acquaintance with her. She was the idol of many old sourdoughs, and among those who feel keenly the loss of little Mary is Jos. Handbury, who penned the following lines in appreciation of his little friend.
Like a bud that has blossomed for only a day,
Like a sunbeam that flashes, then passes away,
Like a strain of sweet music that scarcely is heard,
Like the song of a child, or carol of bird,
Little Mary came to us with heart pure and fond
And at sunrise in life she passes beyond;
All that is mortal sleeps under the sod,
But the beautiful soul is at home with its God.
On November 28, 1916, Mary was at the home of JP and Agnes Sherman along with 2 Sherman children, Irene, 6, and James, 9 mo. JP was out of town and Agnes had left the house locking the children inside. Because the house was cold, Irene tried to start a fire in the stove when it blazed out of control. Both Irene and Mary got baby James and attempted to drag him out of the house and realized the door had been locked and they could not escape.
Jack Hanson happened upon the fire and was able to drag Irene and Mary out, they were unconscious from smoke. He did not realize James was still in the house till sometime later when his body was found.
Both girls were badly burned, Mary died in the afternoon of November 29 at St Joseph's hospital.
James is buried somewhere at Clay Street Cemetery, his plot lost over time.
-Compiled by JManryRichardson, Clay Street Cemetery Commission-
The Alaska Citizen (Fairbanks) December 12, 1916
IN APPRECIATION OF MARY PORTER
Mary Porter, the little four-year-old child who died recently of burns sustained in the fire at the Sherman cabin last week, was a great favorite with everyone who had acquaintance with her. She was the idol of many old sourdoughs, and among those who feel keenly the loss of little Mary is Jos. Handbury, who penned the following lines in appreciation of his little friend.
Like a bud that has blossomed for only a day,
Like a sunbeam that flashes, then passes away,
Like a strain of sweet music that scarcely is heard,
Like the song of a child, or carol of bird,
Little Mary came to us with heart pure and fond
And at sunrise in life she passes beyond;
All that is mortal sleeps under the sod,
But the beautiful soul is at home with its God.
Jack Hanson happened upon the fire and was able to drag Irene and Mary out, they were unconscious from smoke. He did not realize James was still in the house till sometime later when his body was found.
Both girls were badly burned, Mary died in the afternoon of November 29 at St Joseph's hospital.
James is buried somewhere at Clay Street Cemetery, his plot lost over time.
-Compiled by JManryRichardson, Clay Street Cemetery Commission-
The Alaska Citizen (Fairbanks) December 12, 1916
IN APPRECIATION OF MARY PORTER
Mary Porter, the little four-year-old child who died recently of burns sustained in the fire at the Sherman cabin last week, was a great favorite with everyone who had acquaintance with her. She was the idol of many old sourdoughs, and among those who feel keenly the loss of little Mary is Jos. Handbury, who penned the following lines in appreciation of his little friend.
Like a bud that has blossomed for only a day,
Like a sunbeam that flashes, then passes away,
Like a strain of sweet music that scarcely is heard,
Like the song of a child, or carol of bird,
Little Mary came to us with heart pure and fond
And at sunrise in life she passes beyond;
All that is mortal sleeps under the sod,
But the beautiful soul is at home with its God.
Inscription
Daughter of Frank J. and Hannah Porter
Burned in JP Sherman House Fire
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