From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <iggy29@scican.net>

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: OBITUARY- WILLIAM J. STEEN.

Date: Thursday, July 12, 2001 9:19 PM

Decatur County Journal

July 4, l90l

A very sad affair occurred June 30, about three miles northwest of Van

Wert. WILL STEEN had bored a well for George Green. At the depth of

forty feet he struck a rock that had to be removed by hand. Next

morning STEEN was being lowered by the boring machine and when about ten

feet down, called to them to take him out, but before the windlass could

be reversed, STEEN fell from the rod to which he was holding, falling

about 30 feet, dying instantly. No one could go to him on account of

the foul air. Light was reflected down the well, a rope with running

noose was lowered and made fast to his foot, and in this way he was

drawn up.

WM. J. STEEN was born in Decatur County nearly thirty years ago; has

lived in Iowa all his life, except about six years in Missouri. He was

married to MISS EMMA LEEPER in Platte City, Mo., on the lst day of

December, l89l. To them was born one daughter, now about 6 years of

age.

Funeral services were held in the Christian Church at Van Wert, assisted

by Rev. J.W. Caldwell and James Blair. The remains were interred in Van

Wert Cemetery. A deep gloom has fallen on the community on account of

this sad affair. The widow and this fatherless little girl have the

sympathy of all.

S. SAMSON.

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by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

July l2, 200l

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