FARMINGTON PUBLISHER AND YOUNG SON
DIE IN HOME FIRE
Published by THE LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Wed. Feb. 15, 1967.

A fire which destroyed their home, took the lives of Jess D. Stewart and his 13-year old son, David, early Saturday morning, Feb. 11. Mr. Stewart was a highly respected Farmington newspaper publisher and former Circuit Clerk of St. Francois County.

The fire, reported to the volunteer fire department about 1:20, completely destroyed the 2 1/2 story brick veneer house which had been the Stewart residence for more than eight years. It was located at 307 North A Street.

Four of the Stewart children, a house guest, and Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were first rescued by firemen and passersby from atop the large front porch roof shortly after the arrival of the fire department.

Mr. Stewart, in discovering that David was not among them, re-entered the house looking for him. This was the last that he was seen until his body was discovered late Saturday morning.

David was found at the foot of his bed by a volunteer fireman about two o'clock after the fire was thought to be under control. A search was begun for Mr. Stewart but a new outbreak of flames from the attic drove the firemen back and outside the burning house.

The greatest height of the fire was around three o'clock when the walls and roof were aflame, according to fire chief Andy Paule.

When the firemen arrived fire was shooting from lower floor windows in the middle of the house. The temperature was a calm, but cold 18 degrees.

Herbert Presson, of Farmington, an early passerby arriving on the scene, fell from a ladder in trying to help with fire fighting. He suffered a broken knee cap. He is at Mineral Area Osteopathic Hospital.

House guest of the Stewart family was Miss Maryann England, Rotary Exchange student from Australia. She is now a patient of Madison Memorial Hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and other related illness.

Special services were conducted Sunday evening by the Bonne Terre A.F. and A.M. Lodge and by the Rose Croix for Mr. Stewart.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at Memorial Methodist Church by their pastor, the Rev. W. Cannon Kinnard. The Journalist's Creed was read by Oliver B. Ferguson, publisher of the Fredericktown Democrat-News and president of the Missouri Press Association.

Interment was in Hillview Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Miller Funeral Service.

JESS DENNY STEWART

Jess Denny Stewart of Farmington was born March 3, 1911, at Bismarck and died at Farmington Feb. 11 at the age of 55 years, 11 months and 8 days. He was the son of the Rev. and Mrs. William Stewart.

Surviving are: his wife, Marie Elizabeth Marquette Stewart; six children, Elizabeth (Mrs. Jon Blunt) of St. Louis, William Frederick Stewart of St. Louis, Jo Ellen, Mary Jeanne, Carol Jane and Daniel Burgess all of the home; his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. William Stewart of Farmington; four sisters, Lucille (Mrs. Alfred Kleppsattel) of Mehlville, Olive (Mrs. Robert Cloud) of St. Louis, Martha (Mrs. Ted DeClue) of Bonne Terre, Mary (Mrs. Benton Hurst) of Mehlville; six brothers, Paul Stewart of St. Louis, John Stewart of St. Louis, Clifford Stewart of Hillsboro, Clark Stewart of Topeka, Kansas, Joe Stewart of Casper, Wyoming, and David Stewart of Casper, Wyoming.

DAVID FOARD STEWART

David Foard Stewart of Farmington was born Dec. 31, 1953, at Bonne Terre and died at Farmington Feb. 11 at the age of 13 years, one month and ten days. He was the son of Marie Elizabeth Stewart and the late Jess Denny Stewart.

Surviving are: his mother, Marie Elizabeth Stewart; four sisters, Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. Jon Blunt) of St. Louis, Jo Ellen, Mary Jeanne, and Carol Jane all of Farmington; two brothers, William Frederick of St. Louis, Daniel Burgess of Farmington; paternal grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. William Stewart of Farmington; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Lewis Micka of Cuba, Mo.

TO THE STEWART FAMILY
Editorial
By W. L. Bouchard

The Lead Belt News and the entire force extends to the Stewart family our deepest sympathy and condolences in their recent tragedy. We know that those who are left behind will not soon be relieved of the pain and sorrow which they recently underwent and which will forever linger in their minds and that any words spoken by us will do little to alleviate their grief. Jess did the act of a hero, even in the face of death. He gave his life in a desperate effort to save his son even tho that effort took him thru dark smoke filled rooms and a blazing fire he did not falter and gave his all in his futile effort. There is little doubt that he would not do the same thing again. Liken to our Saviour, he died in an effort that others might live.

Published by THE LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Wed. Feb. 15, 1967.

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