Shirley Ione Wright

Sherman Wright Child Fatally Burned Friday

A tragic accident occured at the Sherman Wright ranch home early last Friday morning, when exploding gasoline burned little Shirley Ione so badly that she died the following night, and Mr, Wright suffered burns on the hands and feet.

The Wright ranch is about three miles northeast of Lost Springs and it is understood that a glass jar of gasoline was left in the kitchen after a lamp had been filled the previous evening. While Mr. Wright was busy starting a fire in the kitchen stove, the 21/2-year-old daughter picked up the jar of gasoline saying "Here Daddy", and before the father could grab the jar she let it fall on the stove and it broke, showering the child with the gasoline, which ignited at once.

Their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gilbert, brought the family to Lusk, where Mr. Wright and the little girl were taken at once to the Spencer Hospital.

Shirley Ione died early Saturday morning. Mr. Wright, although painfully burned, is not in critical condition.

Funeral services for the little girl were held at the Peet Chapel Sunday afternoon, with Rev. Paul Hoover of the Gospel Hall officiating. The Misses Minette and Justine Watson sang "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus" and "I'll Be A Sunbeam". The girls were accompanied on the organ by their mother, Mrs. J.P. Watson .The casket bearers were four boys, James Ringer, Jimmy Pennington, Jack Whitaker and Richard Kant. Internment was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Shirley Ione Wright was born at Lusk, January 18, 1942. Besides her parents she is survived by two brothers, Lee aged 5 years, and Gale Harvey, age 1; four grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Wright of Lost Springs, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Patton of Murphy, Oregon. There are also a number of aunts and uncles and other relatives.

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