Beckham County, OK - Deaths: William Lee Davis, 1929
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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DAVIS, WILLIAM LEE
(8 Aug 1929, Thursday, Erick Democrat, Erick, Beckham County, OK):
Funeral services were held Saturday for W. L. Davis of Sweetwater who died
suddenly August 2.  The deceased was born in Lottieville county, Alabama,
June 10th, 1854.  He was married to Eliza Ann Neely, September 14th, 1876,
to which union were born three children, W. L. Davis, of Sweetwater; Mrs.
T. R. Kennemer of Carter and an infant daughter who preceded him in death.
 He also has an adopted daughter, Mrs. Anna Reeves of Carter.  Beside(s)
his children he is survived by fifteen grand children, nine great grand
children, and a host of other relatives.
He was a faithful member of the Missionary Baptist church.
G. R. Tyler of Manila, Arkansas, officiating at the funeral services held
at the Buffalo church.  Burial was in the Buffalo cemetery.
(8 Aug 1929, Thursday, Erick Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Sweetwater was visited by a fire last Friday evening at about 7:00 o'clock
that threatened to wipe out the entire business section of the town, and
was only prevented in doing so by the heroic effort of a fire-fighting
bucket brigade.
When the alarm of fire was sounded, Grandpa Davis 82 years old, rushed out
into the street, where he fell, death caused by heart failure which was
attributed to the fire.
The fire started in the building owned by H. B. Brown which had stored in
it 20 tons of hay.  In the rear of the building a family were living and
the supposition is that the fire was started by the explosion of an oil
store (stove).
C. J. Schmelzer, chief of our fire department received a call from
Sweetwater at 8:15 asking him to come to their assistance, and in five
minutes after receiving the call our boys were on the road making the trip
in less than 30 minutes.  They arrived in time to help save some property.
In the midst of the fire the store owned by Davis & Locke caught fire in
spite of all that the bucket brigade at that time could do.  Owing to the
dance held at Sunset Platform, there was a good crowd going who all rushed
to help with the fire, and in a little while there were over 200 men
fighting the fire, while others were busy moving the stock from the
burning building.  A representative of the Democrat was on the scene and
assisted in moving enough flour to feed an army.  A barber from Erick
stated that he moved enough overalls to cloth every farmer in Beckham
County.
Soon the building on fire was completely distinguished (sic) to the
surprised group of women and children who were about the only ones that
were not fighting fire.  It was reported that the fire was almost out. 
Then came another call for help and a residence 2 doors north of the Davis
& Locke store was afire in three different places on the roof.  This fire
was put out quickly because it had not gained much headway as people were
watching every house roof for fire.
The scene was one of panic as the screams of women mingled with the crying
of children and the cry of "everybody help" made this one of the most
pitiful scenes ever witnessed in this part of the state.  Several other
buildings caught on fire, but were saved.
(15 Aug 1929, Thursday, Erick Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the kind friends who through
their heroic efforts saved our store and home in the recent fire at
Sweetwater; and for their deeds of kindness shown us during the death of
our father and grandfather.
Will L. Davis and family.
Walter Locke and family.

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