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James Milton Steel, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Steel (deceased) was born in Richland Co., Ohio, April 1, 1849, and died Thursday evening at 4 o'clock, July 18, 1895.  Aged 46 years, 3 months and 17 days.  The announcement of his death by telegram was startling and brought a gloom of sadness over this community.  His death occurred at Stillwater, and inland town of about 1500 inhabitants in Oklahoma Territory where he had been making his home for the last five years.  His death was caused by a rupture of an internal blood vessel.  This was brought about in a very innocent way.  As it was well known he occasionally lost the use of his voice and could not speak above a whisper for a number of weeks at a time, just prior to his death he had lost the use of his voice for a period of three weeks, and after he had instantly regained it he naturally felt jubilant and jolly over it and playfully he got to scuffling with his comrades on the street of the town.  About this time he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen.  He at once hastened to the hotel and reclined on a sofa and suffered intensely.  A physician was called and he pronounced his trouble a rupture of an internal blood vessel.  He lived only one hour after the accident happened.  His body was well cared for by his intimate friend, E.O. Stevenson, the undertaker of that place, and who was also formerly a citizen of Bellville.  After proper arrangements were made with relatives here, Mr. Stevenson started with the corpse for this place.  A trip of 25 miles was made to the nearest railroad point.  The train was taken at Oralando, Oklahoma, and traveling three nights and two and a half days the long distance of 1100 miles, Bellville was reached Tuesday, July 23, near noon.  Contrary to expectations the body was found to be in a very good condition.

The funeral was held at the John Steel residence immediately after the arrival of the corpse at one o'clock.  The services were conducted by Rev. W.D. Huddle.

Mr. Steel, it is reported, left many friends at Stillwater, also many here as was clearly indicated by the large attendance at his obsequies.  One full sister, Mrs. Mary Lantz, eight half brothers and two half sisters and other more distant relatives mourn his departure.

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