Bessie Aritta CHANCE
Daughter of Benjamin Clinton Chance & Emma May Sims
Born Feb. 6, 1911
Died Jan. 19, 1925
When I think of my father, I remember him telling about his sister Bessie. With pain in his eyes as well as tears, he told of the night that would set off a series of events that would change all their lives forever…..Bessie was afflicted with what I always assumed was polio. One of her arms was the size of a five year old child, the other arm was of normal size. Bessie had been working around the house cleaning while watching after her seven brothers and sisters. She laid the broom aside and picked up the can of kerosene.My father recalled watching Bessie, as she tried to balance the can of kerosene in her arms, the can tilted, all the children watched in horror, as Bessies clothes on fire.
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Starke County Republican January 22, 1925
CHILD DIES FROM BURNS
Bessie Aritta, first daughter of Benjamin and Emma Chance
was born in Starke County, Indiana, February 6th, 1911.
She died at the Holy Family hospital at LaPorte on January
19th, 1925 at the age of 13 years, 11 months and 13 days.
Death came after hours of intense suffering from burns she
sustained while starting a fire with kerosene. She was
helping about the house on account of the illness of her
mother and had taken a can of kerosene and poured some
onto the fire, where there apparently were some live coals.
An explosion occurred and the oil and flame was blown
over the child and about the room. Her cries were heard by
her mother, who rushed to the scene and assisted as best she
could in quenching the flames of the burning clothes.
However, the clothing was almost entirely burned from
the child and her burns were most serious. Help arrived
at once and first aid was given to the burns when it was
thought best to remove her to the hospital and the long night
that followed the intense suffering of this trusting child were
allayed by the hope that the rest from the suffering would
come. Although afflicted early in life by infantile paralysis,
and left without all the faculties of body, Bessie, the eldest of
eight children was a leader in the household, toiling for those
about her. She did the best she could, but fate has seen fit to
bring her to an untimely death and her parents, and sisters
and brothers mourn.
The funeral is being conducted from the late home on West
Lake street as we go to press, in charge of Rev. C. H.
Leeson. Interment will be given in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Last updated: January 17, 2003
http://www.chancesr.com/Genealogy/bessie.htm