George Kay

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13 Years Old

Son of Mr. and Mrs Robert M. Kay

Lived at 603 West College street

Buried in Hickory, PA

From The Pittsburg Dispatch -- August 28, 1911 Two Heroes Die in Wake of Horror

"Another and even much younger hero was George Kay, son of R. M. Kay, a professor of music of West College street. George, who was not quite 13 years of age, had been in the theater, but was one off the first to leave and had reached the street safely before the fatal crush came. Looking back he saw that there was need of help if some of those in the jam were to be saved, so he turned bravely back and did his best to save a little girl. He did manage to extricate one child and had gone back to help another when the crush of humanity became overpowering and he was buried with the rest. George was a manly little fellow and his father said that he always said he would do his best to help people caught in just such a situation as that at the theater. George had displayed much talent as a musician. he was the coronetist of a boy's brass band which was being organized with his father as instructor. the band will never become a reality now."

From Pittsburgh Gazette Times -- August 27, 1911 YOUTHFUL HEROES LOSE LIVES IN MOST PATHETIC MANNER

George Kay, aged 13, the son of Prof. Robert Kay, a music teacher of Highland avenue, was one of the unfortunate children in the playhouse at the time of the disaster. The lad, with many other boys and girls, found himself swept toward the door of the theater, and when near the exit, almost on the verge of passing through the door, a little girl’s cry behind him caused him to turn. He saw the curly head of a playmate falling backward under the feet of the mob. Taught to revere deeds of gallantry, the boy in this last great extremity did credit to his gentle breeding, and, forgetting self and the death that hovered so near at hand, he stopped and picked up, thrust her through the door, and the next instant, he himself was hurled to the floor and trampled to death.

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

George Kay will be buried at Hickory Tuesday at 9 o’clock. Funeral services will be held this evening at the home of the parents, Prof. And Mrs. R. M. Kay, 603 West College street at 7 o’clock. The Rev. J. M. Work assisted by the Rev. William P. Aikin will conduct the services.

From The Daily Notes – August 29, 1911 FUNERAL SERVICES OVER THREE VICTIMS

Funeral services for George Kay, 13-year-old son of Prof. And Mrs. Robert M. Kay were conducted at the family home at 603 West College street, White Lawn Terrace, at 7:30 0'clock by the Rev. J. M. Work, pastor of the Central Presbyterian church and by the Rev. W. P. Aikin. Rev. Work, after reading from the Scriptures, spoke on the trials of the ancient Job and of how "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." Rev. Aikin made a few remarks and service was concluded with prayer, no music being used.

From The Daily Notes -- August 28, 1911 DIED TRYING TO SAVE OTHERS

George Kay was the son of Prof. and Mrs. Robert M. Kay. He is said to have lost his life in giving his place of advantage in the human jam to a girl.

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.”