Dykstra, Clarence, 1915-1925

DYKSTRA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 31, 1925:

BOY BURNED TO DEATH AT HOME NEAR SHELDON

Clarence Dykstra, the ten-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Dykstra who reside on the former Horn farm six miles south of Sheldon, met with a pitiful death Tuesday evening about six o’clock when he was caught in a burning barn.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained for certain, but it is believed to have been from spontaneous combustion as the barn was filled with new clover hay. At the time Mr. Dykstra was in the field and Mrs. Dykstra was at the house. When the fire was noticed the barn was in flames due to the large amount of hay which burst into flames almost instantly. It is believed the child endeavored to put the fire out, which had started in the haymow, and was overcome by the smoke, falling thru into the manger where he was found by the firemen from Sheldon, who had been called. The little body was burned almost beyond recognition. The barn was burned to the ground.

There are two younger brothers living and two sisters older. The family was also saddened in April when their year-old baby died from sickness.

The funeral will be held Friday at the home and burial will be in the Hospers cemetery.—Sheldon Mail.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Dykstra, Clarence, b. 9 Apr 1915, d. 21 Jul 1925, son of M. & C., Hospers Cem Hospers IA.