Choat - William R.
Source: Waveland Independent, Nov 10, 1916
William R. Choat and his son, Byron aged 12 burned to death in their home near Hollansburg on Monday night. Mr. Choat spent the day in Rockville, getting home after his son and John Mershon who lived with them, had gone to bed. After getting his supper, he went to bed, leaving a coal oil stove which he had bought a day or so before burning. It is supposed the fire caught from this. Mershon was awakened by the flames and escaped by the window. The last he saw of Choat he was trying to get the boy out. Choat was a widower, his wife having been killed several years ago in a runaway. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for sheriff in the spring. He formerly kept a store at Judson. - kbz
Note: Unknown newspaper (on FindAGrave)
William Choate and his 12-year-old son, Byron were burned beyond recognition when the log cabin in which they lived east of Hollandsburg burned to the ground about 2 o’clock Tuesday morning. Mr. Coate had been in Rockville and returned home about 9 o’clock. The son and a boarder, Jack Merson had gone to bed. Coate prepared some supper for himself and Mershon was wakened some time later by smoke and found the cabin in flames. He fought his way to a window, broke the glass and got out. His coat was burned from his back. It was reported that he said he saw Coate come down the stairs from an upper room and then go back; it was presumed he went for the boy. Leslie Bulion was the nearest neighbor and with others hastened to the scene but Coate and his son were so burned that only the size of the bodies showed which was which. A few years ago Mrs. Coate was killed in a runaway accident. The only survivor of the family is a daughter, Mrs. Claud Tuttle of Bellmore. Mr. Coate was a candidate for sheriff on the Democrat ticket before the primary last spring. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Airhart at New Discovery Church Wednesday morning with interment in New Discovery cemetery. – kbz