Margaret Dawes

THE LATE BURNING ACCIDENT AT FRANKLIN.

The following are the facts connected with the sad accident which occurred to Mrs. Dawes, at Victoria, Huon, within half a mile of Iron Stone Creek. They have been handed to us by a subscriber for publication. Mrs. Dawes was cooking in the open air, when her neighbors the Wilsons living about a hundred yards from the spot, were alarmed by her shrieks, at the same time one of the children called out that Mrs. Dawson was all on fire. Mr. Wilson at once rushed to the place where Mrs. Dawes, literally "all on fire," was running about, shrieking most piteously trying to beat out the flames with her hands. At this time her clothes were nearly burnt off her, and Mr. Wilson at once threw her down, rolled her on the ground, and rubbed the fire from her head with his hands. Mrs. Wilson followed with blankets, and when the poor sufferer, the fire being then extinguished, was lifted up, she presented a painful spectacle, as may well be imagined, when it is known, that not only her loose garments, but her very stays were half consumed. The back, neck, breast, arms, and mouth, were terribly burned. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Wise at once applied oil and turpentine to the parts, and Mr. Dear of Hobart Town being near the spot, was sent for, who dredged the parts with flour, and dressed them. Mr. Wilson, meanwhile, with that hearty energy, and practical sympathy with suffering, which has made his name proverbial in these parts, was on his way to the Franklin for Dr. Dawson, with whom he speedily returned. The medical attendant has been unremitting in his attendance ever since, and we are happy to add that yesterday (Wednesday,) though the poor sufferer is still in a very precarious state, something like hope was expressed as to her ultimate recovery. The neighbors speak of Mrs. Dawes as one of the last to whom they would have expected such an accident would have occurred, as she was very particular, both as regards herself and others in the matter of fire.

Source: Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 20 January 1865, page 2 [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8830673?searchTerm=Dawes#]

Death

DAWS. - On 30th January, at Victoria, Huon, Margaret, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Daws, aged 40 years.

Source: Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Thursday 2 February 1865, page 1 [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8830922?searchTerm=Dawes#]