1892 -1914
A young mother has left behind an infant son after the tragic event last Friday that caused her death. The former Miss Ludie Kirby, daughter of James F. and Mary S. Wells Kirby was born near Rowlett on October 31, 1892. Both parents being members of early pioneer families in the area. The former Miss Ludie Kirby married Thomas "Tom" A. Alvey and they had one infant son. Mrs. Alvey was out in the yard last Friday, September 4, 1914 when the tragic event occurred. Only her young son was with her at the time. She was washing cloths in an old cast iron washpot with a wood fire under it when her dress and under garments caught on fire. Mrs. Alvey was severely burned over a large section of her body before managing to put out the fire. She then went into the house and changed into a clean starched and ironed white dress. The panic stricken mother then picked up her young son and walked to a nearby black woman's house in search of help. The neighbor woman quickly summoned help, but to no avail. The severe burns soon caused her death. Mrs. Alvey was 21 years of age.