Willis B. Kilgore

KILGORE, SHEARER, SILVERTHORN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 7/21/2006 at 21:35:42

Winterset Madisonian
October 2, 1912
pg 4

Willis B. Kilgore was born in Madison county, Iowa, Nov. 19, 1869 and died in Des Moines Sept. 26, 1912 at the age of 42 years 10 months and 7 days. Feb 5, 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Shearer. One child came to bless this union, a son Glen C., age 10.

He was a demitted Mason, formerly belonging to the lodge at Lorimor.

Five brothers and one Sister survive him and were present at his funeral: Herbert of Creston, Charley of Des Moines, Bert and Silas of Monroe township, Elmer of Lorimor, Mrs. Hametta Silverthom of Creston.

The body was brought from Des Moines Friday evening and funeral services were held in the
Fellowship church Sunday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. L. F. Davis. Interment was made in the Kilgore cemetery across from the church.
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Winterset Madisonian – October 2, 1912
Pg 1

W. B. KILGORE SUFFOCATED BY GAS

Winterset Citizen Found Dead in Des Moines Lodging House

On last Thursday evening, Will Kilgore of this city was found dead in his room in a lodging house in Des Moines. Death was caused by the fumes of illuminating gas which had been escaping in the room. He had been dead for several hours before the fact was discovered. Some supposed it was a case of suicide, but when the facts became known, it is very well established that it was an accident. It seems that with the automatic gas arrangement that the flow of gas is stopped when the amount paid for is used up; when money is dropped in the slot, the flow of gas starts up again. It is supposed now that when Kilgore went into his room he endeavored to light the gas jet but as there was no gas there, he could get no light and left the vent open by mistake. Some time afterward, some one in the house dropped money in the slot to start the gas and consequently, it escaped into the room where Mr. Kilgore was sleeping. At the time of his death, Mr. Kilgore was working in Des Moines, but his home was in this city and this was his home where he was accustomed to visit every few weeks.

The deceased and the family to which he belonged was very well known throughout the southwest part of the county. The Kilgore family settled in Monroe township at an early date and was quite prominent in the affairs of that section for the last fifty years. The father and mother having died some years ago, the old homestead was sold and two of the boys, William and Silas, came to Winterset. The latter has been seriously afflicted for some years, while the former was for some years, engineer at the Winterset tile works. The body was brought to Winterset Saturday, and on Sunday, the funeral was held at the Union church in Lincoln township.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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