Surnames: HOFFMAN BRUER

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.)) 02/16/1905

Hoffman, Mr. & Mrs. Carl (? - Feb 1905)

A special dispatch to the Times from Unity, Wis. yesterday gives the account of the terrible death of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hoffman, who reside about a mile south of the village of Unity, and the narrow escape of their little grandson, and the family of their nephew.

Between the hours of 3 and 4 yesterday morning the Hoffman home burned to the ground and Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman who occupied one part of the house were burned to death before assistance arrived. An 11-year-old grandson, who was living with the aged couple, awoke to find the entire house in flames, and with rare presence of mind he leaped through a window and escaped, though he was badly burned and severely cut about the face and hands. The family of Paul Bruer, a nephew of the aged couple, resided in another part of the house, and they all escaped in their nightclothes. Nothing was saved from the burning building, not even the clothes of those who were fortunate enough to get out alive, and the building and contents are a total loss.

There seems to be considerable mystery surrounding the origin of the fire and some startling testimony will probably be brought out at the inquest, which is being held at the scene of the fire today. (Marshfield Times.)