Lewis Foy 1882 - 1898

FOY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:09

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 25, 1898 P 3 C 4

Frightful Buchanan Co. Fire.
Stanley, Iowa, Aug. 18.—A frightful holocaust occurred in the country near here early this morning, four children of Peter Foy being burned alive in a barn where they were sleeping over night to gratify a childish whim, their brothers and little sister being allowed to sleep in a hayloft. At 2 o’clock this morning neighbors noticed flames issu¬ing from the barn and hastened to wake Mr. and Mrs. Foy, who, till then, were unconscious of the danger of the chil¬dren, but it was then too late to rescue them. The barn shortly after collapsed. The four burned were Thomas, aged 18; Lewis, 16; George, 11; and Blanche, 6. Six head of horses, two head of cattle and a quantity of grain and hay were also destroyed. The origin of the fire is a mystery, and probably the cause of the flames will never be known, as the fire started in the lower part of the barn while the children were in the mow overhead. The financial loss will approximate $1,000. The family dog which had gone to the loft with the children was also burned. Mr. and Mrs. Foy are almost prostrated over the terrible death of their children, and the entire community has been greatly shocked and grieved at the calamity which has befallen the family.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows they all died Aug. 18, 1898 and that they are buried in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
It shows that Thomas was born Sept. 25, 1879; Lewis was born June 4, 1882; George was born April 16, 1892; however the fourth child is shown as Francis who was born Feb. 4, 1890.