GEORGE LEMON.

George Martin Lemon, second son of Albert and Lucy Lemon was born January 16, 1891, near Manchester, Ill., and died August 20, 1921, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, aged 30 years, 7 months and 4 days.

He grew up to young manhood in his father's home attending the rural school, then taking a two years' course in the Manchester High School. At the age of seventeen he was converted at the M. E. church during the revival held by Evangelist "Billy" Williams and united with the Baptist church.

On Oct. 2, 1912, he was married to Miss Ida Fearneyhough. Two little girls came to gladden their home life, Pauline and Virginia. He spent most of his life in and near Manchester, engaged in farming, but last summer the family decided there were greater opportunities for a young man with courage and endurance in the rapidly developing West, so on August 10, 1920, with his wife and babies started for Gillette, Wyoming where he took up a claim of six hundred forty acres and settled down in their new home to bravely face the future with its difficulties and responsibilities, little dreaming the end awaiting him.

After the work season at home was over he with his friend and neighbor, Mr. Harry Bushnell, joined the men working on the State Highway in South Dakota, leaving their wives together in charge of the claims. George had not been home since June 28th, so it was a great shock to the wife when the news came that he was badly burned as the result of a premature explosion caused by a short fuse. Before she reached his side, a message came saying death had relieved his sufferings. She hastily made her preparations and with her neighbor Mr. Bushnell, started home with the body. He was given every care at The Sister Hospital at Hot Springs and while conscious to the last complained of very little pain. He was of a quiet, home loving disposition and his wife and children meant the most in life to him, their comfort and happiness being his first and last thought.

Besides his wife and children, Pauline aged four years, and Virginia fifteen months, he leaves his father and mother, one brother, Harry, five sisters, Annie, wife of Carey Simmons, Jessie, wife of James Curtis, Cora, wife of Clark Smith, Hattie and Florence at home to grieve over his untimely death. The whole community joins the sorrowing family and host of relatives in sympathy in this sad hour of their lives.

He was a member of the Modern Woodmen Lodge and Order of Red Men, representatives of which were active from the time the body arrived to give every assistance needful.

The funeral services were held Wednesday Aug. 24th, at the Baptist church in Manchester, at three o'clock, conducted by Rev. Fred Peak, in the presence of one of the largest crowds ever assembled in town to show their respect and sympathy, many more outside the church than were able to get inside.

The pall bearers wee George Haves, Mayou McPherson, Henry Hudson, Claude Martin, Carl Brown and Albert Copley.

The many beautiful floral offerings wee in charge of the Misses Ollie Walker, Cecil Standefer, Mrs. Carrie Lawson, Mrs. Stella McPherson, Mrs. Carrie Hayes, Mrs. Emma Simmons. At the grave the burial rites of the Modern Woodmen of America were impressively carried through with L. C. Funk in charge.

CARD OF THANKS.
We desire to express our sincere thanks to our many friends and neighbors for their kindness shown us in our sad bereavement, and for the many beautiful offerings.
Mrs. Ida Lemon
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Lemon and Family
Mr. and Mrs. James Fearneyhough and Family.

The Hot Springs Star, Hot Springs, South Dakota. Thursday, August 25, 1921
Sent to Cheryl Behrend from Ellen Bishop, Rapid City, South Dakota May 31, 2002

EXPLOSION KILLS WORKER IN PARK

John Sanford Injured

Last Friday afternoon while John Sanford, superintendent on the road explosives used in the state park, was overseeing the placing of a charge, a premature explosion occurred which resulted in the death of George Lemmon, (Lemon) and seriously injured Mr. Sanford. The two men were rushed to the Sister's hospital in this city where the death of Mr. Lemmon occurred at 2:45 a.m. Saturday.

The cause of the accident cannot be specifically determined, other than that the trecherous substance which they were handling exploded from a spark generated in some way. The men were instantly enveloped in flames. Allen, the fifteen year old son of Mr. Sanford, who was nearby, was able to render some assistance to his father, but by the time they could give any help to Lemmon (Lemon) he was frightfully burned. The men were taken at once to the camp where first aid was administered and were then brought in an automobile to the hospital. Both endured great suffering, particularly the man worst injured, who retained consciousness until the last. Mr. Sanford is badly burned about the head, neck and right side, also both hands. It was at first thought that he might lose the sight of both eyes but it is now believed that this will not be the case. Mrs. Sanford, who is the mother of Mrs. C. A. Stewart of this city, is with her husband.

Mrs. Lemmon (Lemon) and youngest child arrived in Hot Springs Sunday in response to a telegram stating that her husband had been injured. She did not know of his death until she reached here and as no word from her had been received here the body had already been shipped to Gillette, Wyoming, the home of the family. Two other children also survive.

Submitted by: Cheryl (Curtis) Behrend