JOHN HELMS

     John Helms, of Esther, who was injured in a mine accident while at work on September 14th [1937], at No. 8 Mine of the St. Joseph Lead Company, passed away at the Bonne Terre Hospital early last Saturday morning.

     Funeral services were held on the lawn of the Helms home Sunday afternoon at three o'clock by Rev. T. M. Estes, pastor of the Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. J. L. Presser.  Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery with Caldwell Bros. in charge.  This accident to Mr. Helms was the second serious one he had suffered in the mines, the other one being 11 years ago when Roy Glore and Albert Umfleet were killed in an accident at the Baker Lead Co. Mine.  Mr. Helms was in the Jewish Hospital several weeks at that time.  It was a coincidence that Mr. Helms died on the 11th anniversary of the Baker Mine accident.

     John Francis Helms, son of the late John and Sarah Ritchie Helms was born on February 24, 1876, at Sullivan, Mo., and passed away October 2, 1937, at the age of 61 years, 7 months and 8 days.  He was married on May 11, 1906, to Miss Edna Bennett, of Flat River.  To this union three children were born, all of whom, with the wife and mother, survive.  They are Carl and Iva (Mrs. Glen) Tucker, of Detroit, Mich., and Fern (Mrs. Dorsey) Bay of Esther.  He also leaves seven grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Helms of Sullivan, and Mrs. Nancy Cunningham, of Detroit, and two brothers, Tom and Henry Helms of Sullivan.

[Source:  local newspaper clipping]