Russell William Smith (1897-1932)

SMITH, ENGSTROM, DAVIS, COOK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/24/2021 at 08:49:28

From Nevada Evening Journal February 29, 1932 (page 1)

MAN DEID FROM KEROSENE BURNS

RUSSEL SMITH OF AMES PASSED AWAY AT HOSPITAL TODAY

Burns sustained when fire flashed out upon him while he was kindling a fire with kerosene, at his home in Ames Sunday morning, proved fatal to Russell Smith, father of six small children, at an early hour this morning at Mary Greeley hospital in Ames. The body was removed to the Bishop Funeral home in Nevada, where it is being held pending funeral arrangements.

Smith, who with his wife and six children, lived with the mother of Mrs. E. M. Smith, was using kerosene to hasten the kitchen fire, which had been kindled by another member of the family, when the flames flashed out upon him and he was painfully burned about the face and chest.

He was hastened to Mary Greeley hospital where examination revealed that he had inhaled the flame and his internal injuries were very serious. He lived from early Sunday morning until about 4 o'clock Monday morning, before passing away.

The unfortunate man, probably about 35 years of age, was the eldest son of Mrs. E. M. Smith. The Smith family were residents of the Nevada neighborhood, but later moved to northern Iowa where they lived for some time, but a few years ago returned to Story county and located to Ames, where Mr. Smith died.

He leaves besides his wife and six children, his mother, Mrs. E. M. Smith, brothers Earl, Glen and Harlan and sisters Mrs. Blanche Engstrom of Kenosha, Wis., and Mrs. Bertha Davis of Renwick.

The young man is a grandson of Mrs. Rose Cook of 1035 K avenue and a nephew of Oral "Pete" Cook, who conducts a garage at 618 K avenue.

No arrangements have been made for the funeral as yet.