Elizabeth Gibbs

From Pittsburgh Post Gazette Times -- August 27, 1911 BRAVE LITTLE GIRL LOSES FIGHT TO SAVE HER SISTER

An act of bravery, although it availed nothing, still illuminates the strong, sisterly love that prompted the deed, was the heroic effort made by Nellie Gibbs, aged 16, the daughter of Hugh Gibbs, of East College street, to save her sister in the theater panic here Saturday night. The father, with his three little daughters, attended the picture show. Fearing that they might get separated in the crush, the father gave his girls each their tickets, and shortly afterward lost sight of them. Elizabeth, aged 12, was the youngest and the frailest.

These three children were not victims of the blind terror that had seized upon those about them. They had seen the girl pianist stand up and beseech the people to be seated, saying that the alarm of fire was false, and they had seen those in the front seats of the house sit down – the panic was started from further back – but the three sisters were caught in the mesh, and they could not escape the surging human torrent that swept or trampled over everything before it.

Then commence an agonizing struggle of these three sisters to avoid being thrown to the floor and meeting a terrible fate. Brawny men with strength enough to have fought a way for them, instead struck women and children aside and plunged over the suffocating human beings underfoot, heedless of the suffering they inflicted. Others who jumped from the galleries knocked down persons about them like ninepins, and through it all the little girls, with arms wound about each other, tried to fight their feeble way toward the door. Then little Elizabeth tripped and fell. Her sister Nellie raised her to her feet, and supported the fainting child who was growing weaker under the terrific strain. Despair seized the older girl, who felt she was not strong enough to withstand the double strain much longer. Then there came a sudden surge from the crowd, and black night for poor little Elizabeth, who sank underfoot, and was not seen any more by Nellie until her mangled body was taken to the undertaker’s shop.

Nellie, her strength gone, was pushed into the black mass of people before her, and she was forced to her knees, and then the little girl prayed fervently to be allowed to live, and almost by a miracle she found the awful jam about her breaking away, and, rising to her feet, she staggered out of the fatal place of amusement.

From The Daily Notes – August 29, 1911 PRINCIPALS PRAISE THE DEAD CHILDREN

Eight pupils of the Canonsburg public schools perished in Saturday night’s disaster. Six of these had attended the schools of the First and Second wards, and two of the South Side schools. One of these pupils -- Murray Hill -- was a student in the high school; Frances Byrd, George Kay and Walter Neish were pupils of the eighth grade, just below the high school; Margaret Gibbs, fifth grade, and Elizabeth Gleditsch, first grade. The little Gleditsch girl entered school only a month or two before the close of the last term.

Principal F. W. McVay said today; “I can truthfully say that the children who lost their lives in the horror were model pupils, and possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. Not one of them, so far as I can recall, ever required correction.”

From The Daily Notes -- August 29, 1911 FUNERAL OF MOST OF THE VICTIMS TUESDAY

The body of Elizabeth Gibbs was removed to the home of her parents in East College street, where it was prepared for burial.

[Note: it appears that she was the only victim to be prepared for burial in her own home.]

Margaret Gibbs, 12-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gibbs, of East college street, will be buried from St. Patrick’s, Father Zacharski in charge, Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock when high mass will be conducted.

From The Daily Notes -- August 29, 1911 MANY FUNERAL CORTEGES WEND THEIR WAY TO THE CEMETERIES

Requiem high mass was conducted for Margaret Gibb, 6 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gibb of East College street, at St. Patrick’s by Rev. Father Thomas Zachasrki, pastor of the church. The church was crowded and besides two large floral pieces was a wagon load of flowers contributed by different societies. The bearers were little girls, clothed entirely in white, who had celebrated their first communion with Margaret Gibb. Burial was made in St. Patrick’s cemetery after service.

From The Washington Observer -- August 28, 1911 LOWERING CLOUDS HOVER NEAR STRICKEN TOWN

At 10 o'clock the second funeral was held at St. Patrick's church, that over the body of little six-year-old Margaret Gibbs. Rev. Father Zacharski read the mass. Margaret had taken her first communion at St. Patrick's church but a short time ago, and six little playmates, who also took their first communion at that time, were pall bearers. They wore white dresses with garlands of white flowers in their hair. Interment was in the Catholic cemetery. Both the funerals at the Catholic church were largely attended.