Ancil Jerome "Jack" Smothers 1879- 1931

SMOTHERS

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/22/2012 at 01:18:17

Mapleton Press
12 February 1931

Smothers Buried Here on Monday
Victim of Gas Fumes Found
By Son in His Home In Sioux City

Funeral services for Ancil Jerome "Jack" Smothers, 61 years old, who was found dead Saturday afternoon by his son, Carlyle Smothers, in the gas filled home of the latter in Sioux City, were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Christian church in Mapleton. Rev Peter Jensen officiated. Burial under the direction of the Byers Funeral Home, was in Heisler cemetery.

Death came accidentally to Smothers, the Sioux City coroner reported after an investigation.
"Jack" had been visiting in Sioux City, his truck, which he operated out of Mapleton, being in a garage here for repairs, he had been at his son's home. When the latter came home Saturday afternoon he smelled gas fumes. He went into the kitchen and noticed that one of the gas Jets on the stove was open. In an adjoining room he found the body of his father.

Investigation disclosed that "Jack" had started to prepare a lunch, as a coffee pot was found on the burner connected to the open jet. After placing the coffee pot on tile stove, he apparently went into the adjoining room and laid down, he evidently had been reading a newspaper, as one was found beside his body The pot of coffee apparently boiled over and the contents put out the flames, causing the fumes to fill the house and snuff out "Jack's" life while he was asleep.

Smothers spent most of his life in Woodbury and Monona counties. He lived in Mapleton for the last four years and recently operated a truck. Previously to four years ago he resided in Sioux City. He was born July 29, 1879.

Besides his widow, he leaves two sons by a former marriage, Carlyle and Faben, both of Sioux City, his aged mother, Mrs. Mary Smothers, five brothers and two sisters to mourn his death. The brothers and sisters are George of Correctionville, William or Mapleton, Robert of Grant Center, Henry and Fred of Smithland, Mrs. Ira Lundeen of Ticonic and Mrs. Jennie Cripe of Mapleton.

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