Barren County News

- Deaths

Compiled and submitted by Sandi Gorin.
She notes:
"I have no connection, no further information and am not seeking additional information."

Note: I am unable to locate the burial spot for any of these women. It is possible that they were buried in the Cherry Street Cemetery which has but few markers remaining over the years. The newspaper article was not dated and was found in an old scrap book.

"Three Succomb After Gasoline Explosion. One of the most horrible and heart rendering tragedies that ever occurred in Glasgow was the burning to death of Mrs. Maymie Boston, 40, her daughter, Miss Glee Boston, 20, and Mrs. Boston's mother, Mrs. Chess Cassady, 63, at Mrs. Boston's home on East Washington street Saturday at noon.

"Mrs. Cassady, who lived near Haywood on the South Jackson Highway arrived at her daughter's home a few minutes before noon, the occasion being the planning of a birthday dinner Sunday for Mrs. Boston's son, Mr. Justus Boston, and that of her father, Mr. Chess Cassady, at Mr. Cassady's home Sunday, Justus' birthday being Saturday and Mr. Cassady's February 29, but which they celebrated each year. She had already prepared part of her dinner and had invited her guests.

"Just how the accident happened will probably never been known, possibly neither of the ladies knew just what caused it. Mrs. Boston and her daughter were engaged in cleaning clothes with gasoline and were in a room where there was no fire. It is reasonable to suppose that they were using an open kettle or pan. The evaporation from the gasoline either found its way to a lighted stove in an adjoining room, someone opened the door, or passed the stove with a garment just taken from the gasoline. It is positive tht the ignition came from the gas stove as there was no fire in either of the other rooms.

"Mr. and Mrs. K. M. Chambers were the first to reach the three victims. They were starting to the telephone office and Mrs. Chambers heard a dull explosion and saw the fire flash from the door. She turned in a fire alarm and with her husband rushed to the Boston home only a short distance away. The house was full of smoke and the three victims burned to a crisp, practically all their clothing burned off. They were rushed to the Samson Community Hospital and given treatment but it was evident that they were fatally burned.

"Mrs. Cassady died at eleven o'clock that night, Mrs. Boston at two o'clock and Miss Glee at five o'clock Sunday morning. All were conscious after they reached the hospital and talked with their relatives.

"Funeral services for the three victims were held at the Baptist church Monday afternoon at one o'clock and was attended by a record crowd of friends and relatives. Rev. J. A. Gaines conducted the funeral service assisted by Rev. T. H. Alderson and Rev. B. A. Sykes and burial was in the Glasgow cemetery. Rev. W. C. Christie and Elder Allen Phy were also in the pulpit.

"The three ladies represent three generations, all died three hours apart, and it is possibly the only "triple" funeral in Glasgow of one family ever held at the same time.

"Mrs. W. J. Ashburner, manager of the Washington Manufacturing Company, wehre Mrs. Boston and her daughter were employed, closed the plant Monday.

"Mrs. Cassady is survived by her husband, Mr. Chess Cassady, one daughter, Mrs. May Leftwich, one son, Deputy Sheriff Jesse Cassady, both of this place. Besides her father, sister and brother, Mrs. Boston leaves one son, Mr. Justus Boston.

"Miss Glee Boston was a High School graduate, having received her diploma last year, and schoolmates were her pallbearers."

"Funeral Services For Sisters Held At Same Time. last Saturday, Christine Smith, 14 year daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Smith of Matthews Mill section, died of pneumonia. She was buried in the Glasgow Cemetery Sunday afternoon. When the young lady became ill, her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Crutchield, 24 years old, of Indianapolis, came at once to be with her sister, and after her arrival she too, became ill and on Monday, the day following the burial of her sister, she died and on the following day her remains were laid beside those of her sister in the Glasgow cemetery after funeral services for both the young ladies conducted by Rev. Easley. Mrs. Crutchfield is survived by a little daughter by a former marriage. The young ladies are survived by their parents who are among the best people of the county; three brothers, Messrs. Fred, George and Eugene Smith who live with their parents, and two sisters, Miss Frances Smith who lives with her parents and Mrs. T. M. Jordan of Indianapolis. The family have certainly pased thru a fiery trial and have the depest sympathy of a host of friends."

Note: Elizabeth M. Crutchfield is buried at Glasgow Municipal Cemetery - 3 Mar 1901 - 16 Mar 1925. There is no stone for Mae Christine Smith (13 Kuly 1912 - 14 Mar 1925), so the above article must have indicated they were buried in the same grave with Elizabeth's name the only one on the stone.

Unknown Glasgow (KY) newspaper, found in an old scrapbook.

Family Deals With Double Loss

The family of a Metcalfe County boy who was fatally injured in a holiday wreck is trying to cope with a double loss after a younger son collapsed and died while running to the hospital where his brother Richard [sic - Justin] was being treated. Richard "Richie" Caffee, 12, of Edmonton, died Sunday aftrnoon, possibly of a heart ailment. The family said it knew of no health problems. He would have been 13 on July 11. On Tuesday, his 17-year old brother, Justin, died of brain injuries suffered in a wreck Saturday in
Edmonton.

Richie had traveled to Louisville with his parents, Mark and Sallie Caffee, and his 19 year old sister, Amy Caffee, to be with Justin at University of Louisville Hospital.

They were returning from a brief respite when Richie fell dead Sunday night on the sidewalk leading to the hospital entrance.

The family's pastor, Brother Jeff Coursey of Calvary Baptist Church in Glasgow, said Tuesday that "Sunday afternoon, when Justin had become somewhat stable, Richie just took off running and for some reason he just collapsed. It [he] was just a typical young person, and he had a lot of energy and was in a hurry to see his brother." Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Larry Austin, said he can't determine why Richie died until he receives pathology reports in six to eight weeks, but a heart ailment is a strong possibility, he said.

Justin Caffe, who attended Barren County High School and turned 17 Sunday, and Emberton, who had just completed her sophomore year at Metcalfe County High, were passengers in Wilson's vehicle.

Coursey said Richie Caffee played basketball and had just been chosen to be on an All-Star baseball team. He said Richie liked to play drums and would occasionally accompany his father, who performed in a Christian music group. [New Direction].

Glasgow Daily Times July 8, 1998