| Fourth Generation- Frances Ann Maddox daughter of Wesley Harvey Maddox, granddaughter of Michael, g-grand daughter of Nathan |
| Frances Ann Maddox was the second of eight children born to Wesley Harvey Maddox and Eliza Ann Grove. She was born on the Maddox Homestead on March 24th, 1853 in Chester Township, Wells County, Indiana. She was married to George Woodward Leach on 14 Apr 1872. George Woodward Leach was born on 31 Dec 1850. He died on 28 Sep 1873 Frances and George were the parents of one child: 1) Stella Leach Frances Ann Maddox Leach died December 30, 1903 in the Iroquois Theatre Fire in Chicago, Illinois. |
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| Stella Leach McCaslin Melton Thornburg- daughter of Frances Ann Maddox Leach recalls her last days with her Mother, who died in the horrific Iroquois Theater Fire in Chicago, Illinois. This was written in Stella's hand.
Last Days With Mother Tuesday, December 1st, 1903- My mother came home from the country after having been there since in June when she attended the funeral of her father. W.H. Maddox. Mother got off the Penn. train at Englewood Union Station and boarded the same car with me as I was coming from school. We came home together and had our supper done. The next morning I went to school and brought mother's suit case from the station. I was unable to attend school again until the following Tuesday owing to a dreadful hoarseness. Sunday was very cold and we were home all day. Saturday, December 12th- I went downtown and bought a new coat and theatre tickets and a pair of gloves for mother for X-mas. The next day was extremely cold, we were home all day. Tuesday, December 22nd- Mother came past the college and we went downtown in the afternoon. Wednesday, December 23rd- Miss Duncan, my teacher, came home with me for dinner. Thursday I went downtown in the afternoon. Mother and I were home in the evening. Mr. O'Brien and Lula Murray were here for supper. The next morning, X-Mas. I went with the Murrays to 5 o'clock Mass and they were here for breakfast. Mother and I went there for dinner and spent the evening there. Saturday, we were home by the fire as the weather was bitter cold. Aunt Sade sent us a chicken and two plates and Robert and Elmer sent mother a tidy. Sunday we went to church, then had our chicken for dinner and went to see Mrs. Rogers in the evening and stayed for lunch. Monday, we washed and I went to club in the afternoon. Tuesday, mother ironed and i cleaned the pantry and kitchen. In the P.M., Mrs. Hood was by to see us. Wednesday morning, mother cleaned the front of her waist, then we read the papaer until noon and mother got lunch while I dressed and washed the dishes while she dressed. At 1pm we started to the Theatre. When we got there, the play had commenced. Mother was thoroughly enjoying the play, when at the beginning of the second act, the fire started on the stage. My mother and I started and got to the door where my mother fell. The flames caught her and she never came from the Theatre alive. |
| FORMER WELLS COUNTY PEOPLE IN THE HORROR Coroner is Making a Sweeping Investigation of the Terrible Calamity. Relatives of Mrs. Stella McCauslin (sp), formerly Miss Stella Leach, were notified yesterday evening that she was one of the victims of the Chicago theater fire. The information came that she was badly burned and that her mother, Mrs. Frances Leach, was missing, the supposition being that she was burned to death. J.E. Markley and wife and Joe Maddox and wife of Keystone, relatives of Mrs. Leach. left last evening for Chicago. Miss Leach was a school teacher in the Wells county schools and is known to many teachers in that county. The information came stating that she had been badly burned but that she would recover. Her mother had not been found at the last account and it is supposed that she was among the list of unidentified dead. Mrs. Leach was a sister of Mrs. J.E. Markley, of Keystone, and also a sister of Mr. Maddox. An effort will be made to find the body that it may be given a decent burial. |
| IROQUOIS THEATRE FIRE |
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| BURNED AT CHICAGO |
| The Evening Herald- Montpelier Indiana Jan 1, 1903 |
| Webmaster Note: According to family lore... 1) Frances' body was identified by the lining in her shoes. Upon inspection, the shoes beared the name of a Montpelier shoe store. 2) Stella experienced a change in her hair pigment shortly after the fire. She went from a stunning brunette to white locks practically overnight. This has been confirmed from numerous family sources. |
| On December 30, 1903, Chicago experienced one of its most heartbreaking disasters. The Iroquois Theater, believed to be fireproof, was presenting Eddie Foy in "Mr. Bluebeard" to a capacity matinee house with many children in attendance. Suddenly a piece of scenery caught fire and within minutes the flames were out of control. The audience panicked. Many exits were locked. The lights had gone out. In little more than 15 minutes, at least 600 people lost their lives. One result of the horrible tragedy was the adoption of a new set of safety regulations for theaters. |
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| Frances Ann Maddox Leach before 1903 Taken at her daughter Stella's home in Chicago |
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| MADDOX FAMILY HISTORY |
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| Frances Leach Maddox 1853 - 1903 |