Agnes Stoddard Arnott

Rock Springs Rocket, Sep 13, 1929

Farson Fire Is Fatal; Mrs. Arnott Victim

Woman Dies From Burns And Daughter Is Severely Injured; Hotel Destroyed Explosion of Gasoline Used for Cleaning Clothes Cause of Shocking Tragedy

Mrs. Andrew Anrott, 45, is dead and her daughter, Miss Betty Arnott, 20, is seriously injured from burns received Tuesday afternoon when the Farson hotel and store building, 43 miles north of this city, was destroyed by fire. An explosion of gasoline vapor arising from garments Miss Betty Arnott was cleaning is said to have caused the fire.

The Arnott family is widely known and highly respected. The shocking news of the tragedy caused hundreds of friends to feel a distinct personal loss and the wholehearted sympathy of the community is extended to Mr. Arnott and his children.

Gas Explosion

The explosion occurred at shortly after four o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Betty Arnott was cleaning clothes with gasoline in an anteroom to the kitchen when from some undetermined cause the vapor exploded. Mrs. Arnott, who was in the kitchen, and Betty were immediately enveloped in flames and rushed out of doors. Betty succeeded in smothering the flames about her mother. Albert McMurray, of Farson, arrived at the scene within a few seconds following the explosion and was trying to extinguish the fire on Betty’s clothes when Barbara Arnott, 18, rushed to her sister’s aid and put of the fire with a cloth she had snatched from a dining room table.

First Aid Given

Barbara Arnott then helped her mother and sister into an automobile and started with them for Eden. Here Mrs. Ralph Wellington administered first aid and Doctor R.H. Sanders, of this city was summoned. The doctor met the Arnotts, who were being rushed to the hospital by Ralph Gilpin, near the air mail field. They were admitted to the hospital at 5 p.m. and Mrs. Arnott died at 11:45 p.m.

Mr. Wright states that he looked at his watch when the burning walls on the structure collapsed and noted that it was then twenty-five minutes before five o’clock. Mr. Arnott and those who helped had succeeded in getting some valuable papers and a small amount of merchandise and personal effects from the building. Mr. Arnott then started for Rock Springs although at that time the burns sustained by Mrs. Arnott and Betty were not considered to be dangerous.

Big Property Loss

The property loss is estimated to be nearly $30,000. Of this amount $10,500 is covered by insurance. Mr. Arnott was the sole proprietor of the business and owned the building. He had purchased it from the Stockgrowers Mercantile company several years ago. No announcement has been made as to whether or not he will rebuild and continue the business. He also owns considerable land in the Eden Valley project.

Hurried Trip

Mr. Gilpin states that both were conscious and that each seemed more concerned with the other’s comfort than her own during the ride to town. Mrs. Arnott repeatedly urged Mr. Gilpin to travel at full speed and said to pay no heed to the bumps in the road. The car traveled at a speed greater than 60 miles an hour for most of the distance, according to Mr. Gilpin.

Others Unhurt

Mrs. Thomas Wilder with a baby in her arms had been taling to Betty Arnott shortly before the explosion. She had just gone to her room on the second floor of the structure when she heard the explosion and rushed out with her baby. Nancy and Jean Arnott were out of the house at the time. Barbara was in the store with her father, Charles and Don Shedden and the latter’s wife and baby were also in the store.

Save Little

Ora Wright, who lived at the hotel had just left the store when the explosion came. When he had driven to his garage he noted in the mirror of his car that there was commotion about the store. Getting out he could see the flames coming from the roof. He hurried to the scene and rushed upstairs. Seeing no one there he grabbed one suit case and descended by a ladder, which was raised to a window for him. The flames had cut off descent by the stairs. Wright did not hear the explosion, due to the cut out of his car being open. Ross Kenyon, a neighbor, heard the explosion one-half mile distant and went immediately to the scene.

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Rock Springs Rocket, Sep 13, 1929

'Mrs. Arnott Was Remarkable Woman

Mrs. Andrew Arnott, who met death following a fire which destroyed the Arnott hotel at Farson Tuesday afternoon, was a native of Scotland. She was born in 1884.

Fifteen years ago Mr. and Mrs. Arnott and three children, Betty, Barbara and Nancy came to the Rock Springs district directly from Edinburgh, Scotland. A fourth child, Jean, was born in this country four years ago.

Upon coming here the Arnotts first lived at what is known as The Wells, twenty-five miles north of this city, with Andrew Smail and his family. Mrs. Smail is a sister to the decedent. Mrs. James Hodson, who lives in the Eden Valley, is also a sister.

Upon the death of the late Dan Crawford, Mr. Arnott became manager of the Farson hotel and general store, an enterprise then owned by the Stockgrowers Mercantile company. Later the Arnotts purchased the business.

Here Mrs. Arnott managed the hotel and conducted a dining room. She became endeared to the large public which visited Farson not only because of the excellent services she provided but also by her sweetness, gentleness and obvious strength of character.

In the Arnott home there was always apparent a great family love and utmost harmony. All were industrious and each was at all times eager to help the other. The splendid family which survives is a precious tribute to this remarkable woman who was the wife and mother.

Besides her innumerable duties with her family and the business responsibilities which she shared with her husband, Mrs. Arnott was an ardent worker with Eden Valley commonuty enterprises. Her loss is keenly felt and her memory will live forever. ---

Rock Springs Rocket, Sep 13, 1929

Arnott Rites At Eden This Afternoon

Funeral services for Mrs. Andrew Arnott were held at 2:00 p.m. today at Eden, Reverend W.T. Methvin, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of this city, conducted the services. The Wildermuth Mortuary of this city was in charge of the burial.

Pallbearers were I.H. Dearth, Edward Sass, Jesse Engle, Ira Bishopp, Earl Wright and Ora Wright, all of Eden Valley.

Miss Ella Jones sang “Beautiful Island of Somewhere,” and Mrs. Ray Bonnett, “Someday We’ll Understand,” Rock of Ages” was given by a male quartet comprised of Harry Grandy, Lynn Grandy, D.W. Joslin and Gus Nelson.

• Residence: 134 Magdala Terrace, Ladhope, Selkirkshire, Scotland - 1891
• Residence: Detroit Ward 14, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States - 1910
• Residence: Eden, Sweetwater, Wyoming, United States - 1920
• Residence: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States - 1930
• Residence: Same House - 1935
• Residence: Ward 14, Detroit, Detroit City, Wayne, Michigan, United States - 1940

Sources

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 27 2019, 3:42:03 UTC
• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 27 2019, 13:45:34 UTC
• http://sites.rootsweb.com/~wysweet2/vitals/Obits1929.txt