A Horrible Death.
Word was received yesterday of a fearful occurrence at the Hot Springs, Nevada, whereby Samuel Pratt, son of Orson Pratt, formerly a telegraph operator of Ogden, met a terrible death. He was to have left the Hot Springs on the eastbound train yesterday afternoon, but previous to its arrival went to the springs for a bath. One of the springs is literally boiling water, and as he did not return, parties went out to hunt him, and found him near the boiling spring, his whole body scalded. He was not dead, but died soon after in the greatest agony. It is presumed that he slipped in and, though almost cooked, succeeded in dragging himself out upon the ground. His remains will probably be shipped to Salt Lake.
[Ogden Standard Examiner, Oct. 5, 1888]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Remains of Samuel C. Pratt.
They Pass Through Ogden on Their Way to Their Last Resting Place.
Yesterday the remains of Samuel C. Pratt, the unfortunate young man who fell into the hot spring, in Nevada, passed through Ogden, on their way to Salt Lake. They were accompanied by Lorus and Milando Pratt, brothers of the deceased.
The funeral will take place from the Nineteenth Ward meeting house, Salt Lake City, today at 2 p.m.
No definite information as to how the terrible accident occurred has as yet been obtained. The railway officials and others have extended every courtesy and assistance to the relatives who took charge of the remains.
The deceased has a sister living in this city, Mrs. Willard Snow. The family has the sympathy of their wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who condole with them in this great affliction. It was seven years ago yesterday since the father of the deceased, Orson Pratt, departed this life.
[Ogden Standard Examiner, Oct. 7, 1888]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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A Horrible Affair
Samuel C. Pratt Scalded to Death at the Hot Springs
Word was received in this city Friday afternoon last, of the death of Samuel C. Pratt, brother of Mr. Milando Pratt, of this city, caused by falling into a boiling spring in Nevada. The young man, a son of the late Apostle Orson Pratt, was formerly a telegraph operator at Ogden, and was but 21 years of age. He was to have left the Hot Spring on the eastbound train Thursday afternoon, but previous to its arrival went to the springs for a bath. One of the springs is literally boiling water, and as he did not return, parties went out to hunt him, and found him near the boiling spring, his whole body scalded. He was not dead, but died soon after in the greatest agony. It is presumed that he slipped in and, though almost cooked, succeeded in dragging himself out upon the ground. After the dreadful occurrence he was taken to Wadsworth where he died at 5 p.m. During partial consciousness, he said he did it “partially intentionally.”
The remains were shipped to Salt Lake, being met at Terrace by Lorus and Milando Pratt, brothers of the deceased.
The funeral was held in the Nineteenth Ward meeting-house, Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
[The Daily Enquirer, Oct. 9, 1888]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Death of Samuel C. Pratt
Full Details of the Lamentable Accident
The news of the terrible death of Samuel C. Pratt, in Nevada, greatly shocked the community, who will be interested in reading the following letter giving fuller particulars than any yet received, which we are enabled, by courtesy, to publish:
Wadsworth, Nevada
October 5, 1888
Mrs. Marion Pratt, Salt Lake, Utah:
Dear Madam—In accordance with my message this morning, I write to further detail the deplorable accident that happened to Mr. Pratt, at Hot Springs, yesterday morning. He had been ordered to Toano, and intended to start on the train yesterday morning, the train being an hour late. Mr. Pratt took a walk up to the springs, nearly half a mile from the station. About the time the train was due at Hot Springs, Miss Van Hyning, day operator at the place called me on the wire and told me she was afraid Pratt would not get back in time to take the train, that at that time she could see nothing of him returning from the springs. Fearing that something had happened him, a messenger was sent up, who found the poor boy on the bank of the boiling hot spring, unconscious and badly scalded.
It is supposed he must have been in the spring some time before he cold extricate himself. I have never visited this spring myself, but from those that have, I learn the surrounding banks of this particular spring, are quite dangerous. The boiling hot water rises with such force, that it undermines the banks of quicksand formation, so that a stranger is very apt to step to the brisk of the bank, and his own weight will cave the bank and himself into the treacherous spring. I am satisfied in my own mind, that this is precisely how this accident happened, not withstanding the theories advanced by others.
He was carried down to the station, placed on a cal car on which a mattress was placed and taken here soon as an engine could cover the distance, a doctor summoned and comfortable quarters provided for him at our leading hotel, and everything was in readiness long before the train arrived. Our citizens were overflowing with sympathy and vied with each other as to the comfort of our unfortunate comrade. The doctor upon examination, found that there was no possible chance for his recovery and everything possible was done to relieve his suffering.
The accident must have happened about 9:30 a.m. He returned to consciousness about 3 p.m., spoke of his aunt, his sisters, Mrs. Snow and Mrs. Douglas; said he had no will to make that he had nothing to leave.
Our Justice of the Peace tried to take his dying statement concerning the accident, but I do not think there should be any importance attached to it whatever, as the doctor who was present didn’t think the poor boy realized fully the questions asked and the answers given, his pain was so intense. The judge asked if it was accidental or with suicidal intent. He replied, “It was not suicidal intent, at the same time it was not wholly unintentional.”
The poor boy expired at 4 p.m., and I think he showed a remarkable constitution to have lasted so long, for he was terribly scalded, the skin and nails coming off and the flesh had to be handled carefully. For this reason we could not dress the remains except in a shroud.
The remains left here by passenger train this morning and hope they will go to their destination all right. While I regret to see so much expense attached to them, believe me, that we did the best we could. The metallic casket cost us $200 at Reno, hence the amount so large. In conclusion, let me assure you that you have the heartfelt sympathies of myself and family, and in fact, of the whole community, in your hour of sorrow. If I can be of any service to you, do not hesitate to let me know.
Yours respectfully,
T.F. Doelin,
Train Dispatcher for Southern Pacific Company
[Deseret News, Oct. 10, 1888, Vol. 37, 613]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
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