80 YEARS AGO: December 21, 1944

Burned to Death Fighting Fire.

DAVID W. WALKER, 69, FALLS INTO BURNING HOUSE WHEN ROOF COLLAPSES.

Donald W. Walker, 69, well known farmer of near Pottersville, was burned to death about noon on Thursday of last week, while fighting fire at the home of a neighbor, Jess May, a mile away. Mrs. May and a son were alone, Mr. May was away working for a neighbor. Mrs. May began carrying things out of the house, while Walker and the boy began fighting the flames. Walker placed a ladder against the side of the kitchen and climbed to the roof, pouring water on the blaze handed up to him by the boy. The roof collapsed and Walker fell into the fire. About that time, Mr. May and two other neighbors, on seeing the fire, arrived on scene. When the body was found, only the torso was left. From the position of the body, it is believed he fell onto the cook stove.