WELCH

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 10:12:45 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, March 13, 1902
page 1

Mrs. Sarah Welch Burned to Death
Her Home on Treanor Street Destroyed by Fire
Victim of Accidental Fire Caused by Stroke of Apoplexy Says Coroner's Jury

On Wednesday night of last week - March 5 - the little home of Mrs. Sarah Welch, on Treanor Street, was burned, and after the fire the badly burned and lifeless body of Mrs. Welch was found on the kitchen floor. There were many rumors and surmises as to the cause of the fire - some said accident while others said foul play, murder and robbery. But probably the true version was the verdict rendered at the inquest held Friday by Coroner Eden. After hearing the evidence and the testimony of Dr. Wickman the jury concluded as follows.

"Accidental death by fire, caused by a severe stroke of apoplexy."

The fire was discovered at about 11 o'clock; the fire department soon responded to the alarm, and the fire was quenched, but not until the whole upper portion of the building was consumed and the building ruined. The fire started in the kitchen and before it got into other portions of the house an effort was made to discover the whereabouts of the lone occupant, but without effect.

After the fire was out, the body of Mrs. Welch was found on the floor in the kitchen, and an overturned oil stove was near her. She was subject to fainting spells, and the theory advanced is that she fell in an apoplectic fit, and overturned a lamp of the stove and started the fire.

Both Drs. Wickman and Howitt examined the body and the brain, and they agree in the theory of apoplexy. Her bed had been disturbed and it was supposed she had gone to the kitchen for something when she fell, causing the fire. The body was badly burned.

Mrs. Welch has lived alone for several years, her husband having left San Rafael twelve of fifteen years ago.

Mrs. Welch was about 60 years of age, and was a native of Ireland. She owned the property where she lived. There was no insurance. In searching the premises Coroner Eden found $240 in gold hidden between the mattresses of her bed, and a few coppers were found in other places.