One of the saddest tragedies to happen in
this county in several years occurred early
Friday morning, when the farm home of Mrs.
Gertrude McGregor, on Perkins Creek near Grassy
burned, and Archie Forrest McGregor 13-year old
son of Mrs. McGregor perished in the flames, and
another son Maxwell McGregor, 20 years old was
burned so badly all over the body that he died at
the Southeast Missouri Hospital, Cape Girardeau,
the following day, Saturday, at 10:25 A.M.
The family was aroused by the fire at about
4:30 Friday morning, the coldest here in years,
and Maxwell, who was brought to Lutesville by
Dale Porter and Henry Liley, where he was
transferred to the Baker Ambulance, could talk
but briefly, but told Mr. Baker of seeing his
brother, Archie, at the head of the stairway, as
they were trying to escape from the upstairs of
the burning building. The fire had started near
the stairway, which was a mass of flames as the
youths attempted to escape. He said he did not
know just where his brother was in the upstairs
part of the building, or just how he himself had
gotten out. Archie was apparently overcome by the
smoke and heat at the head of the stairs.
Maxwell's night clothes were practically burned
from his body and when the burning clothing was
torn from him by his grandmother, Mrs. Louise
Billington and others, he was entirely nude. He
then went to their car and got into it. When
neighbors arrived a pair of overalls, which were
hanging on the clothes line in the yard, were put
on him and some of the men wrapped their
overcoats about him. He was then rushed to
Lutesville where he was placed in the ambulance
and taken to the hospital.
Mrs. Billington, Mrs. McGregor's mother, who
ran to the home of a neighbor, Louis Brown, about
one-fourth of a mile away, barefooted and clad
only in her night clothes, was in a serious
condition from exposure, but is reported to be
improved. Mrs. Billington is 75 years old. Her
feet were frozen and also cut by the rocks and
her hands were burned when she helped to pull the
burning night clothes off of her grandson Max.
Mrs. McGregor and daughter Charlotte escaped
without burns, but Mrs. McGregor was reported to
be ill as a result of the shock and exposure to
the bitter cold Friday morning. It was 12 degrees
below zero that morning. Members of the family
have been cared for by the neighbors.
All household effects, clothing and some
money belonging to Mrs. Billington were lost in
the blaze, which is thought to have resulted from
an overheated stove. Mrs. McGregor had started a
fire about 4 o'clock.
The two youths are survived by their mother,
three sisters, Mrs. Della Barnes, Gideon; Mrs.
Effie Williams of Grassy and Charlotte of the
home; four brothers, Hadley of Puxico; Shelby of
Keokuk, Iowa; Rexwell and Charles of Grassy, and
their grandmother, Mrs. Billington. Their father,
Harlan McGregor died several years ago.
The body of Archie was taken to the home of Ed
Pittman, a neighbor and the body of Maxwell was
taken to the Baker Funeral Home, were they
remained until taken to McGee Chapel for funeral
services.
Funeral services for both youths were held at
McGee Chapel church, near Grassy, Sunday
afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. Services were
conducted by Rev Willie Liley, who was assisted
by Revs John Fowler and Fred DeHoog. The brothers
were buried side by side in the chapel cemetery,
with boyhood friends of the youths acting as pall
bearers. End
