The Tragic Death of Edith Betterman
On the 19th
of April 1902, nine-year-old Edith Emily Betterman was going about her chores
while Edith’s mother worked in the back yard milking the cow. Edith stoked the
fire in the kitchen stove, filled a kettle with water, and got ready to make a
cup of tea for her mother. As she placed the kettle onto the stove, a lick of
flame engulfed the clothes she was wearing.
Edith ran outside to get help. The flames engulfed her, rising above her head. Edith ran out into the road, where
Mr Truscott and other neighbours assisted to get the flames out, but Edith's
body was burned black. She was still conscious and able to relay to her mother
what had happened.[1]
Local doctors were called, and
Doctors Glynn and Myles attended. The young girl was frightfully burned across
her entire body. The doctors knew there was nothing they could do for her, so Dr Glynn administered temporary pain relief in the form of morphine.[2]
Edith died from her extensive injuries five hours later.[3]
An inquest was not considered necessary. Edith was buried at the Kapunda General
Cemetery on Clare Road, in plot E 43.
[1] 'BURNT TO DEATH.', The Express and Telegraph, (21 April 1902), p. 2.
[2] 'FATAL BURNING ACCIDENT.', Adelaide Observer, (26 April 1902), p. 40.
[3] 'Great Fire at Inverell.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, (25 April 1902), p. 2.
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