Sercey Elliott Burns to Death in $15,000 Blaze Destroying Large Residence of Mrs. Temple Nash
Rites Conducted Here Friday For Victim, Age 73

Unknown Newspaper
1943

With his bedroom ablaze, making rescue impossible, James Sercey Elliott, age 73, uncle of Mrs. Temple Nash, was burned to death in the $15,000 fire which destroyed the large two-story Nash residence Thursday afternoon late. The body was recovered in the ruins.

Funeral rites were conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at the Kaufman cemetery with the Rev. Wm. D. Craig, pastor of the the First Methodist church of Kaufman, officiating.

Mr. Elliott had made his home with his niece since retiring several years ago because of failing health. He previously resided in Dallas and traveled for a wholesale glass concern.

The deceased was born in Jefferson, Tex., and later lived in Kaufman, operating a print shop here many years ago. Later he moved to Forney and was associated in the newspaper business with Walter Adams, now a prominent druggist at Forney, in the publication of the Forney Tribune.

He was never married and his nearest surviving relatives are Mrs. Temple Nash of Kaufman and Lewis Voiers of Taylor, niece and nephew.

It is believed that Mr. Elliott was overcome, from the smoke and fumes before the blaze engulfed the rooms. He likely had fallen asleep and the fire may have started from a lighted cigarette. Mrs. Nash was downstairs when she smelt the smoke and when she reached the second floor Mr. Elliott’s room was in flames.

Furniture on the first floor was largely removed from the house by firemen and other volunteers.

The residence was one of Kaufman’s finest and most attractive. So terrific was the blaze that burning cinders caught a tent house two blocks away and destroyed it. Owned by Woodson Nash, the house was occupied by two families, and most of the furnishings were removed undamaged.

Active pallbearers at Mr. Elliott’s funeral were Joe W. Nash, Edward Nash, Shannon Jones, E. A. Carlisle, Mann Nash and Louis Nash.

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Kaufman Man Dies as Fire Razes House

Dallas Morning News
Friday, 12 February 1943, Page II-8

KAUFMAN, Texas, Feb. 11 – James Searcey Elliott, 72, former resident of Dallas, was burned fatally Thursday afternoon in a fire which destroyed the home of his niece, Mrs. Temple Nash, with whom he lived. The loss was estimated at $15,000.

Mr. Elliott was a native of Jefferson, Marion County, and lived for some time at Forney before going to Dallas. For a number of years he was a traveling salesman for a glass concern.

Funeral services will be conducted here at 3 p.m. Friday, with burial in the Kaufman Cemetery.

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Funeral Rites Arranged for Fire Victim
J.S. Elliott dies as Nash Home Burns at Kaufman

Unknkown Newspaper
1943

Kaufman, Tex., Feb 12 (Special), Funeral rites were announced for 3 o’clock Friday afternoon here for James Searcy Elliott, 72, who died late Thursday when fire destroyed the large two-story residence of his niece, Mrs. Temple Nash. Mr. Elliott was trapped at his room where the fire is believed to have originated. His body was found in the ruins.

He had made his home with his niece for several years when failing health forced him to retire. He was a traveling salesman for a glass concern for many years and resided in Dallas and previously had lived at Forney and Kaufman.

Mr. Elliott was born in Jefferson, Tex. Besides Mrs. Nash, a nephew, Lewis Voiers, of Taylor survives. Another Kaufman house located two blocks away caught on fire from the blaze and was destroyed at a loss of [illegible]. The Nash residence was valued at $15,000.