A TERRIBLE DEATH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 662, 31 October 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TERRIBLE DEATH.

(UNITED press association.) Dunedin, October 28.

..The following are particulars of the case of death by burning in the Bruce County. On Sunday, about midday, Mr William Hodgson, of Canada, was out looking after his sheep. He was standing on the edge of a very steep hill, upon which was a quantity of tussock and long dry fern. He lit his pipe, threw the match down and a few feet higher up the hill, when on looking round he saw that the match had ignited the grass. Being a man advanced in years he could not climb the hill fast enough to escape the flames. He soon saw that there was only one resource before him —to lie down aod roll through the flames, which plan he immediately adopted. By the time he bad rolled through the burning grass most of his clothes were burned off his back, his beard singed close to the flesh, and he waß terribly burned all over the body. His cries brought the assistance of Mr Mortimer, who had the poor old man conveyed to his house. Drs Stewart and Reid were immediately sent for, who did their best for the sufferer, but without success. He lingered in an unconscious state until 9 o’clock next morniDg when he expired. ______