Forney Woman Succumbs to Gasoline Burns

Forney Messenger
1935

Mrs. Mart (Gertrude) Layden of this city passed away at the St. Paul Sanitarium in Dallas Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from burns received Monday morning at her home in Forney. She was cleaning some curtains in the basement of her home when the fumes ignited from a hot water heater. The room had accumulated full of gas which caused an explosion from the fire under the heater. The door was blown open and Mrs. Layden was a solid mass of flames when she ran from the building out into the yard. She was apprehended by a negro wash woman and a neighbor who finally succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but not until she was frightfully burned about the arms, body, and legs. She was rushed to the Forney Sanitarium at once where Drs. Hudgins and Shands did all they could to relieve her suffering, but the burns were of such a serious nature that they decided best to carry her to Dallas. There everything possible was done for her but to no avail.

The little boy was also in the basement playing when the explosion occurred. He was burned about the face but only slightly. Neighbors heard the explosion.

All Forney and vicinity regret to learn of this deplorable accident and deeply sympathize with the husband and children in the death of this good lady. She had a great host of friends here and elsewhere.

As the Messenger goes to press this Wednesday afternoon funeral arrangements were not complete. However, the service will be held at St. Martin’s Catholic church. The funeral will perhaps be delayed on account of the arrival of relatives in Pennsylvania and Chicago. The burial will in all probability take place at Terrell.

The Messenger will carry a more detailed report of the funeral next week.

—

Burns from Gasoline Prove Fatal to Woman

Dallas Morning News
Thursday, 28 March 1935, Page I-3

Mrs. Martin Layden, 35, of Forney, died Wednesday at St. Paul’s Hospital of burns suffered Monday by the accidental ignition of gasoline which she was using to clean clothes in the basement of her home. Her clothes were set afire and she was badly burned over much of her body. The body was taken to Forney.

Mrs. Layden was a native of Uniontown, Pa., moving to Texas in 1920. She is survived by her husband and four children, Buster, Johnnie, Gertrude and Jay; five sisters and five brothers. Funeral services will be held at St. Martin’s Church Friday morning, with Father Francis Brady officiating. Burial will be in Terrell Cemetery, at Terrell.