Accounts differ as to why Carrie was in the store, some report she had gone to walk her husband home for dinner as was her usual practice while others say she went to the store because she was frightened by the storm. What is not in dispute is the complete destruction of the building and great damage to surrounding buildings. Recovery efforts were delayed due to the fire that accompanied the explosion. The timing of the recovery is a little confusing, it is reported the explosion was at 5:45 pm on July 25, a rain storm at 11 o'clock aided in putting out the fire and the first body recovered at about 8 o'clock, the second at 9:30 and the baby later. It makes sense that the bodies weren't found until daylight the following day but the newspaper is dated July 26, the day the bodies were found?
It was reported that Carrie's body was found underneath the store safe and that it took 15 men to remove the safe from her body. Some accounts, more gruesome that others, report that the top of Maynard's head was blown off and that not all of his body parts were found and further reported that all bodies were burned beyond recognition. Mr. Hemingway was buried in one coffin, Carrie and Eleanor were buried together in another. They had been married just a little over two years.
Maynard Hemingway is the 8th cousin of author, Ernest Hemingway meaning they shared a 7th great-grandparent. Eric Anderson is Ernest Hemingway's 8th cousin 5x removed. Maynard is Eric's 1st cousin, 5x removed, Maynards grandfather is Eric's 5th great grandfather.
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Click on the photo of their gravestone to be taken to Find A Grave.