The Tragedy at Tenino: A Mother’s Search for Her Child in the Flames
When a fire destroyed the home of Stephen Hogden and his boarder B.W. Ward on February 15, 1877, most escaped—but nine-year-old Nellie Ward was lost to the inferno.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
About 10 o'clock on Monday night, Feb. 15th, the dwelling-house of Mr. Stephen Hogden, situated half a mile from Tenino, was burned to the ground. It was occupied by Mr. Hogden, Mr. B. W. Ward, his wife, and their child, a girl aged 9 years, and also a young man working on the farm.
The occupants retired to their several rooms between nine and ten o'clock, leaving a fire burning in the sitting room. The first discovery of the fire was made by the young man who found his room full of smoke, and commenced pounding on the floor. Mr. Hogden was badly burned about the face in making his escape. The young man escaped by jumping from the second story. Mr. and Mrs. Ward escaped uninjured.
By this time neighbors began to arrive, and the cry was raised, 'Where is Nellie?' The excited mother ran wildly for her child. More than one brave heart rushed to the remains only to be forced back by the fiery monster. All attempts to save her were failed. Her charred remains were found.
Mrs. Ward is dangerously ill; being very delicate, the shock and exposure to the night air proved too much for her. The building and contents were a total loss. Mr. Hogden's loss is $2,000. Mr. Ward will lose everything; no insurance. The good citizens of Tenino and vicinity are doing everything in their power to relieve the sufferings of the bereaved family.
This 1877 disaster highlights the fragility of life in early Washington settlements, where a single fire could wipe out a family's entire existence without insurance. It mirrors modern concerns about housing resilience and the devastating economic impact of natural disasters on uninsured homeowners in vulnerable communities.
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