John W. Steele Obituary
Husband of Bessie Blanche Fletcher
Fayette Falcon, Fayette Co TN, Feb 29, 1924
Last Friday night, John Steele and his family were
awakened at their home just out of Somerville by the
house being on fire and the flames had gone so far,
entire house and contents were destroyed and three
of the inmates lost their lives, Mr. Steele, his
second son Olaf and C.P. Boothe, who with his wife
and baby were guests in the Steele home. Being
awakened at that hour and in the excitement it
seems all of both families made it safely except
Fay Steele, the youngest son who was sleeping in
the upstairs room. The two families did not know
who was out and who was still trapped. Mr. Boothe
rushed back into the building to bring his wife
and baby to safety. However they were already out.
He was caught inside and burned to death. Mr. Steele
rushed back inside and received such serious wounds
that he died the next day. Olaf the twelve year old
went to an upstairs room and rescued his brother Fay
by awakening him and getting him through a window and
then started out the same window and caught by the sash
falling on him and holding him fast. He died a few
hours later. Mr. Boothe leaves his widow and a small
child. Mr. Steele leaves his widow and three boys. Mr.
Steele had been for a number of years manager of
Somerville Water Mill. Mr. Boothe was born and reared
just east of town and only recently moved to Pinson
to enter Dairy farming and relatives. Mr. Steele and
his son are buried at Somerville Cemetery and Mr.
Boothe at Sardis Cemetery 10 miles east of town.
Mrs. Steele and children are living temporarily
in Methodist Parsonage.