Hugh O. Smith saved John H., W. Kenneth, Charles E., LoVerna D., and Donald D. Peasley from burning, Stronghurst, Illinois, November 28, 1924. Fire started in the lower part of the Peasley home and was spreading while Mrs. Peasley, 34, and the children were asleep in rooms on the second floor. Heavy smoke filled the house. The family was awakened by calls, and John, 7, got down the stairs to the first floor but was overcome near the stairs. Mrs. Peasley with Donald, 2, in her arms retreated from the stairs and was overcome and fell in a hall on the second floor. Kenneth, 5, and Charles, 9, were overcome in a room on the second floor. From outside the house Smith, 42, farmer, entered the room in which John was. It was full of fire and smoke. He picked John up and carried him out of the house. Smith re-entered the room and crawled up the stairway, the walls of which were afire, and found the two boys on the second floor. He dropped them out of a window. Dense smoke filled the hall, and the walls were afire. He walked and crawled to Mrs. Peasley, brought her to a window, and lowered her to a man below. He returned to the hall and brought Donald to the window and dropped him to a man below. Smith then jumped from the window. He suffered second-degree burns on his face, neck, and hands and was much affected by smoke. All recovered. 24845-2198
24845 – 2198
24845-2198