Smith Gallo Funeral Home
Logan Co, OK
(permission granted)

The Guthrie Daily Leader

Guthrie, Oklahoma

Thu, Feb 24, 1955

Local Negro Man Is Burned To Death in Guthrie Today

1-Room House Completely Destroyed by Morning Fire

Clyde Lee, 35-year-old Guthrie Negro, burned to death early Thursday in his one-room house at 615 S. Oak.

Fire Chief Melvin Daniels began an investigation of the fire, which he said apparently started from a wood stove. The house was completely destroyed.

Daniels said the body was found at the end of the bed. Lee was dead when firemen arrived, he said. Daniels said burns completely covered the Negro man's body. He said the man was unclothed.

House Engulfed

The house was covered completely by flames by the time firemen arrived about 1:30 am. The blaze was quickly extinguished.

The body, lying east and west, was in the east part of the house. A stove was located north of the bed, Daniels said. He said there was one window and one door in the house.

Firemen found a five-gallon can containing a mixture of kerosene and oil about half full. Daniels said the mixture may have been used to start a fire in the stove.

Lived Alone

Lee was reported to be unmarried and lived alone at the house. He was employed by the city at the dump grounds. Lee was a veteran of World War II.

Firemen who made the run were Daniels, Joe McCubbins, Fred Hunter, Lee Cunningham, Elmer Gibbs, Delmar Case and Charles Ball. Policemen Billy McCoy and Wilbur Clark also went on the call.

Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Lee, Fallis, five brothers and four sisters.

Committal rites will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Marshall cemetery under direction of Smith Funeral home.

Thank You For Your Service!