Ira Thomas-

Stricken while working in a grain field, Ira Thomas, age 58, died at 9:55 o’clock last night at the Glidden Memorial Hospital due to heat prostration. He entered the hospital last evening, his temperature at that time being 106. His temperature had been lowered to 104 when death occurred. Little hope was held for his recovery when he was brought to the hospital. Thomas was employed on the Leonard Lutz farm, south of Dekalb, and was working in the field with Mr. Lutz when he fell over, unconscious. He was immediately removed to the home and placed in the shade and cold water applied. A doctor was also summoned and upon the arrival of the doctor arrangements were made to remove him to the hospital here, although his condition was then considered critical. Thomas had been employed on the Lutz farm since the first of April. Last Saturday he was unable to work because of the extreme heat and he went into the field yesterday afternoon against the advice of Mr. Lutz. During the morning, Mr. Lutz and his hired man had worked in a shady portion of the farm and were this able to escape some of the heat. At about 1:00 o’clock yesterday afternoon Mr. Lutz began cutting the grain and Thomas joined him. Thomas was engaged in removing the bundles when he toppled over. He was stricken about 2:30 o’clock in the afternoon. Thomas was packed in ice upon being admitted to the hospital. Little is known about the man other than that he was born near Ashton, in Lee County and had been a resident of the Sycamore community for a number of years, he never married. The only known relatives are two half sisters and an uncle. Funeral arrangements had not been completed at a late hour today, it was stated by the undertaker