Obit: Larie, Morris (1882 - 1959)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Larie

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 05/21/1959

Larie, Morris (SEP 1882 - 15 MAY 1959)

A flash fire seared more than 80 percent of the body of Morris Larie, Withee (Clark Co., Wis.), when he attempted to ignite his space heater early Thursday morning at his home at the west village limits of Withee.  After emergency treatment at the Owen Medical Clinic he was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital at Marshfield in the Owen ambulance, where he passed away 36 hours later.

Larie had arisen Thursday morning and attempted to light the space heater which is of the type that had to be generated.  Some heat had been generated and when he thought it wasn’t functioning properly, he opened the front door and sprayed alcohol into the unit which caused an explosion.

Larie, although dazed, still had presence enough of mind to telephone the fire company.  The siren sounded at 7:14 a.m.  J.R. Barager, editor of the Owen Enterprise, was first at the scene of the tragedy, as Larie came staggering out of the front door of his home with all his clothing burned from his body.  Only his shoes remained on his feet and they too were burning.  Right behind Barager was the fire truck.  Firemen immediately gave Larie aid and covering in addition to bringing the flames in the living room under control.  Meanwhile Barager returned towards Owen, intercepting Fire Chief Dempsey enroute at the Withee corners, who in turn ordered the ambulance to the scene.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the Hoeper and Kraut Funeral Home.  Rev. Benjamin Holiday officiated and burial was made at Riverside Cemetery.  Pallbearers were George Shelton, Harvey Adams, Ben Adams, Ernie Sandstrom, Paul Lampkins and Wilbur Jones.

Morris Larie was born in September 1882, and had been a resident of this community for the past 15 years.  He was never married and has no survivors.  Al of his life he had been engaged in the Junking business.