WALSH

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 08:55:33 :

The Marin County Tocsin
Saturday, July 7, 1917
Page 4

Child Burned to Death at San Anselmo

The only serious accident on the Fourth of July was the burning of little Mary Walsh, daughter of Mrs. Jane Walsh of San Francisco. Mrs. Walsh and little daughter were spending the Fourth with friends at San Anselmo and during the day the little girl, aged eight years, playing with a sparkler in her hand set her dress on fire. As she ran screaming the flames enveloped her and when rescued she was badly burned. She was rushed to the West End Sanitarium by Dr. O’Connell and every effort was made to save her. This was unavailing however and she died Thursday from its effects.

The family seems to have a peculiarly sad chain of accidents. Two years ago her father, Dr. William J. Walsh, then coroner of San Francisco, was killed in an automobile accident at Mill Valley. Mr. Walsh with his family and mother took a road leading up the hillside expecting to be able to turn around. However, the road ended in a trail. All the family got out, including the little girl, then about five years old, and Mr. Walsh attempted to back the car down the trail. I had not gone its length when it toppled over the cliff killing Mr. Walsh. His wife was given a position as chief deputy in the coroner’s office which she still holds.