VandeSteeg, Dina, Mrs. Gerrit, 1861-1907

VANDESTEEG, VANPELT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2012 at 21:30:15

Burned to Death

Mrs. Gerrit Vande Steeg died at Orange City Wednesday morning [February 6] at two o'clock of burns received the evening before. At about five o'clock Tuesday evening Mrs. Vande Steeg was seen by a neighbor to rush from the kitchen of her home into the yard with her clothing ablaze. The unfortunate woman's mind had been deranged for some time and it is a question whether her terrible death was from accident or suicidal mania--she having threatened to take her life.

The fire started with a kimona trimmed in eiderdown and may possibly have been accidental. The wood work of the kitchen in one place was scorched however as though the unfortunate woman had stood awhile till the flames got started before rushing into the yard. She was badly burned from the knees up and her hair was singed off. It was the inhaling of the flames however that caused death.

Deceased was about forty-eight years old and leaves a husband and five children. They certainly have the sympathy of all. The funeral was held yesterday.

Source: Alton Democrat, February 9, 1907.

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WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH
Mrs. G. Van de Steeg is Victim of Flames at Orange City

Mrs. G. Van de Steeg, Jr., died recently at Orange City from the effects of burns which she received last Wednesday. While Mrs. Van de Steeg was poking up the fire in the kitchen stove, one of the sleeves of her dress caught fire in some way and in a few moments all of the upper part of her dress was in flames. Mr. Van de Steeg, hearing her cries for help, rushed to her aid and smothered the flames with a rug. But the fire had already burned deep into the flesh of her arms, chest and face.

Mrs. Van de Steeg was the wife of G. Van de Steeg, Jr., who until recently was the proprietor of the Betten hotel. Mrs. Van de Steeg's maiden name was Dina Van Pelt, she being the daughter of L. Van Pelt, one of the early settlers in Sioux county.

Source: Sioux County Herald (Orange City), February 13, 1907.

Her death was also reported in the Dutch-language Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (Feb. 13).

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Vande Steeg, Dina, 1861-1907, spouse Gerrit.