FIRE FATAL TO EX-ARLINGTON MAN

DIES IN FIRE AT FREMONT

OWEN O. SPRINGGATE, 51, FATHER OF NINE, MEETS DEATH SUNDAY

BURIAL RITES AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

A fatal fire involving a former Washington County man was labeled “accidental” Monday at Fremont by the county coroner.

Owen W. Springgate, formerly of Arlington, died early Sunday when fire destroyed the shed in which he was sleeping. He was alone in the building, which was about 15 feet from the house in which his family was sleeping.

It has been decided the fire was perhaps started by something falling against a kerosene stove, or by Mr. Springgate’s smoking in bed.

Family members explained that Mr. Springgate was sleeping in the shed to make room for his son-in-law, daughter and their two children, who were visiting at the Springgate home.

Native of Kentucky, Mr. Springgate moved to Arlington with his parents in 1910. He attended Whitford School near Arlington. In 1917 he was married to Lena Meador.

Mr. Springgate worked for the Marshall Nurseries at Arlington prior to going to Fremont a number of years ago.

Survivors include the widow, three sons and six daughters, and his mother, Mrs. Cindia Springgate, whose home is at Arlington.

Funeral services were held at Fremont yesterday, with burial following in Arlington Cemetery.

#2-15 Feb., 1951 - The Enterprise

OWEN SPRINGGATE DIES OF BURNS

Owen Springgate of Fremont was burned to death Sunday at his home in Fremont. At the time he was sleeping in a shed, having moved there to make room for a daughter who was visiting the family. The origin of the fire is unknown.

When the fire was discovered by Mrs. Springgate and a son-in-law it had gone so far that the entire structure was ablaze. Only one door to the building, which was blocked by the flames, took Springgate to his doom.

Deceased was born March 11, 1899 at Garfield, Kentucky and moved with his parents to Arlington in 1910. He attended Whitford school near Arlington and married Lea Meador at Fremont on June 23, 1917.

Springgate worked for Marshall nurseries until 1926 when the family moved to Fremont. He had worked at various jobs for 15 years and at the time of his death was employed by Beemer Electric company.

Survivors include the widow; three sons, Sgt. Jesse of Omaha; Pvt. Donald of Camp Gordon, Ga.; and Henry at home; six daughters, Mrs. Melva Storey of North Bend; Mrs. Luceal Bentley of Fremont; Mrs. Tracy, Mrs. Betty Johnson of Colon, Virginia; and Lydia at home; a brother, Arthur of Fremont; a sister, Mrs. Ellen Allen of Cody, Wyo.; and 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of the Fred Bader Funeral Home with Rev. Marvin Pigg of First Christian church officiating. Burial was made in the Arlington cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~