Lethal Death Claims Dan McMahan In Coahoma
Dan McMahan, 39, former citizen of Spur and for the past three years employee of the Cosden Oil Co., stationed at Coahoma, TX, succumbed to gas poisoning while on duty at the company's yards Thursday night, October 12, death believed to have occurred about 9:00 o'clock.Discovery of the body, it was reported here, was made at midnight by another employee. McMahan had been gauging tanks, and was found at the last tank to be pressured for his work shift. He had been going off duty at 9:00 o'clock.
A check-up of the accident placed blame on a poison gas that escaped from the tank when it was opened for gauging.
Came Early to Texas
Dan McMahan was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on October 4, 1900, and four years later the family moved to Grayson County, TX. In 1919, Dan's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. McMahan, moved to Dickens County, establishing their home out in the Dry Lake area. Since coming to the county Dan had spent much of his time in Spur. For eight years he was employed here by the Swift Gin Company; became well known and highly respected by people of this entire section. He still retained membership in the Church of Christ here.January 1, 1931, Dan was married in Marietta, OK, to Miss Ozelle Rogers, an Eastland, TX girl, and shortly after that time he took a place with the Croden Company, establishing their home in Coahoma.
Dan was a graduate of the Whitesboro High School, later attending Draughon's Business College at Abilene, and is described by Croden Company officials as one of their most efficient, trustworthy men in that field.
About three hours after McMahan's body was discovered, Coy McMahan of Spur, a brother, received work of the tragedy and about 5:00 a.m. Friday he, in company with three other brothers, Charles, Riley and Ivy left for Coahoma, remaining in Big Spring until Friday afternoon. The body was prepared for transportation to Spur by a Big Spring undertaking establishment, and was in state here at the Coy McMahan home from Friday night at 10:00, arrival time here, until Saturday afternoon.
Burial Near Parents
Funeral services were conducted at the Spur Church of Christ, Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, with J.H. Miles, pastor, officiating. Interment was made in Spur Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home staff.J.R. McMahan, Dan's father died here in 1923, and his mother passed away last February, and both are buried in Spur cemetery.
Survivors are the widow and four brothers, Riley, Ivy, Coy and Charley McMahan, all of Spur, and a number of nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers were Neal Chastain, O.B. Ratliff, O.C. Thomas, Homer Macey, Judge Marshall Formby, Dick Speer and George Sloan.
Flower bearers were Eastern Star members, including Mesdames Geo. S. Link, George Sloan, Walter Carlisle, Eula Jopling, Nell Davis, Mace Hunter and Joe Butler.
Out-of-Town People
Out-of-town relatives here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Knox, Lubbock; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Moreland, Abilene, and Misses Bender and Dorothy Gray, Brownfield. Mr. Knox is a nephew and Mrs. Moreland and the Misses Gray are nieces of the deceased.Among friends of the family from out of the city attending the funeral were R.W. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Payne, from Big Spring; Olin L. Cox, A.E. Johnson, W.C. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Monrony, A.K. Turner and son, A.K., Jr., all from Coahoma; Mrs. Joe Butler, Crowell, and M. M. Hines, Forsand.
There were perhaps others not named.
©The Texas Spur, October 19, 1939
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