Obituaries:  Billy Joe Gassiott, 1938, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by:   Deanna Simmons Hess, RR 9, Box 1548, Livingston, TX
77351
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The following is a verbatim copy of an obituary notice  as it appeared
in the newspaper.  Obvious typographical errors have been so noted. 
Data errors such as names of the deceased or family members should be
reported to the archives not to the submitter.


THE WINNFIELD-NEWS AMERICAN
Friday, April 15, 1938

Billy Joe Gassiott Victim 
of Drowning Sunday Afternoon

Falls from Bridge While Playing 
Near Home At Tremont

   Billy Joe Gassiott, the seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed
Gassoitt [sic] was drowned Sunday afternoon when he fell from a bridge
on which he was playing near his home at Tremont.
   The child, according to best information, was playing on the bridge
of a small steam that was crossed by the I. C. railway tracks, and it is
believed that while throwing rocks in the stream he either became
frightened by an approaching train or lost his balance and fell into the
stream, ten feet below.  The body was recovered about eleven o'clock
Sunday night by the fire department of Ruston.
   Lee Vining, engine care taker, the only eye witness to the fatal
accident, was on top of a water tank, and hastened to the boy's
assistance, but was detained by the passing train.  When he did get to
the scene the boy had gone under for the last time.
   Mr. and Mrs. Gassiott, the parents, were here visiting for the day
with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gassiott, and had left Billy Joe
and his older brother at home.  They did not learn of the accident until
they reached home that night.
   The body was brought here Monday afternoon to the home of his
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gassiott and funeral services were held
Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. B. C. Land,
pastor officiating.  Interment was made in the Winnfield cemetery.
    Serving as pall bearers at the funeral were six playmates of Billy
Joe's when he lived here before moving to Tremont.  These were C. C.
Carter, Jehu Sikes, Estes Bozeman, Don Walsh, Hunter Edgington and
Robert Edgington.
   He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gassiott, two
brothers, Jean Edward and Bobby Ray Gassiott, paternal grandparents, Mr.
and Mrs. Joe Gassiott and Maternal grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Sanford
of Winnsboro.