Murray Hill

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13 Years Old

Son of Mrs. Bell M. HillLived at 224 West College StreetBuried in Freeport, PAFrom The Daily Notes -- August 29, 1911 FUNERAL OF MOST OF THE VICTIMS TUESDAY

Funeral services for Murray Hill, the 15-year-old son of Mrs. Belle Hill, will be held from the home of his mother, 224 West College street this evening at 7:30 o’clock, the Rev. W. P. Aikin conducting the services. Tuesday morning the body will be taken to Freeport, leaving Canonsburg at 7:19.

From The Daily Notes -- August 30, 1911 BODY OF MURRAY HILL BURIED AT FREEPORT

FREEPORT, Pa., August 30. -- The body of Murray Hill, aged 13, who was killed in the theater panic at Canonsburg last Saturday night, was brought to Freeport yesterday for burial. Murray was the son of the late George Hill of this place, who at the time The Armstrong County Trust was opened was the cashier. The father was a member of the Armstrong county bar. He died a few years ago and his wife and son later moved to Canonsburg.

From The Daily Notes -- August 31, 1911 ROBERT MURRAY HILL

Murray Hill, who met his death in the sad disaster which occurred here Saturday evening, august 26, was the only son of the late George M. and Belle McMurray Hill. He was born in Freeport, Pa., March 11, 1896, and resided there until after the death of his father, which occurred less than two years ago. Murray was a devoted and obedient son, every faithful in the duties of the home, the school and the church. Chartiers congregation, of which he was a consistent member, will miss his cheery presence in the Sabbath school and young people's meeting. He was a member of the junior class of the Canonsburg High school. The funeral service, which was held at the home Monday evening was conducted by his pastor, the Rev W. P. Aikin, assisted by rev. A.J Ashe and Dr. W. B. Smiley. Tuesday morning the body was taken to Freeport, where services were held in the United Presbyterian church, conducted by his former pastor, the rev. J. R. McFarland, assisted by the Rev. W. H. McMurray of Pittsburg and Dr. G. R. Murray of Thomas, Pa., after which the body was laid to rest by the side of his father in the Freeport cemetery. Many floral tributes, beautiful in design, were given by his classmates and friends. Our sympathy is extended to the mother, aged grandmother, who was able to be present at the funeral, and numerous relatives and friends both near Canonsburg and Freeport. The father of the deceased was an attorney of Freeport and his mother the daughter of the late Harvey McMurray.

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 28, 1911 To High School Pupils

The members of the high school will meet at Belmont tomorrow morning shortly before 7 o’clock and will escort the boy of Murray Hill, who belonged to the high school class of 1913, to the 7:19 train on which it will be taken to Freeport for burial.

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

The second funeral Monday evening was that of Murray Hill, the 16-year-old son of Mrs. Belle Hill, at the home of his mother, 242 West College street. This service began at 7 o'clock and was conducted by Rev. W. P. Aikin, pastor of the Chartiers United Presbyterian church, assisted by the Rev. W. B. Smiley, D. D., former pastor of the same congregation, and by the Rev. A. J. Ashe, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. The trend of Rev. Mr. Aikin's remarks were that even in the death of his only son there is much left for which to be thankful; and among the things mentioned was the memory of the noble, manly, Christian life which he lived. He was obedient to his mother and never gave his pastor an anxious thought. Flowers in beautiful designs were furnished by the Chartiers United Presbyterian Sabbath school, the Young People's Christian Union and the public schools. The music was in the charge of the Chartiers United Presbyterian church. On Tuesday morning the remains were taken to Freeport and laid to rest by the side of those of his father.

The Sabbath school class and the high school class to which the boy belonged were represented. The body was taken to Freeport this morning on the 7:19 train.