Tragic death of Greta Schuler, 1913

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Death takes no holidays and plays no favorites.

The Farmer's Vindicator, Aug. 8, 1913, reported the tragic death of Greta, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schuler. Mr. Schuler was a partner in the Schuler family of undertakers and funeral directors.

Quoting the newspaper report:
"From playing with her little brother in front of the house, the little girl (Greta) ran to the rear when from the back door came a flaming pitcher of gasoline thrown by the frightened mother from the kitchen, into the path from which the unsuspecting child ran.

"Immediately the child was enveloped in flames and dead grass around her was burning. She screamed and struggled in pain and fell a few feet away again setting the grass on fire. Edna Hukill ran to her assistance and rolled the burning body on the ground, extinguishing the fire on the clothing and with her hands snuffed out the fire in the little girl's hair and ribbons.

"Dr. Lowry was called by phone, but the answer seemed unsatisfactory to anxious friends so Mrs. Schuler's sister and Virginia Mitchell ran to his home, to hasten the call. He was already on his way, going by way of his office for bandages and ointments.

"Dr. Pecinovsky ran over from the Catholic church, dressed the burns with flour and syrup and wrapped the screaming child in sheets. When Dr. Lowry arrived, chloroform had been administered, easing the suffering of the child. The little bare legs and arms and face were severely blistered, but not thought to be fatal. The condition of the little patient was favorable all day. She rested and knew Papa and Grandma and called them by name. Toward sundown unfavorable symptoms appeared. The shock was too much for the little heart. The little girl passed away at three the following morning.

"A series of household events caused the fatal accident. Gasoline was low for a household facility and a quart can had been borrowed. An attempt to fill the facility from an open can proved unsatisfactory, gas vapors filled the room and gasoline was poured into a pitcher — a sudden flash and the whole kitchen seemed afire. The flaming pitcher was thrown out the back door in the path of Greta who was known to have been playing at the front door a few minutes before and the awful accident happened, never to be forgotten."

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