Sidney Rittiger

Proposed marriage to Lulu (Lillian) Fisher just before entering the theater, as noted in these articles:The New York Times -- August 28, 1911 THEATRE DEATHS DUE TO NARROW STAIRS

Sydney Rittinger was at the performance with his fiancée, Miss Lulu Fisher. Before entering the building they had stopped at the jewelry store nearby and Rittinger had bought the ring that was to have been used at their wedding. Both were killed.

Pittsburgh Gazette Times -- August 27, 1911 Heroic Fight to Save Intended Bride Null

A pitiful feature of last night’s theater catastrophe was the death of Sidney Redigger and Lulu Fisher, two of the victims, who were to have been married within a few weeks. The two were found clutched in a tight embrace. Several persons who escaped death, but who were wedged against the walls by the crowd declare that Redigger made a gallant fight to save his intended bride.

According to Phillip Thoms, the young man lifted Miss Fisher in his arms to keep her from falling beneath the feet of the crowd. His efforts were most heroic. While Thoms was unable to move, he saw Redigger stagger and fall from the weight of the crowd and his double burden.

A short time before going into the theater, Redigger and the young woman had entered a local jewelry store and purchased a wedding ring. They entered the theater arm in arm, with a smile on their faces.

Riddiger was until recently employed at a local restaurant. He came here from Youngstown, O., some time ago. He was one of the most popular men in town among the newcomers. Miss Fisher was employed at the home of John Cameron at White Lawn Terrace. Her home was at Glen Campbell, Pa.

The Pittsburg Dispatch -- August 28, 1911 Betrothed Couple United in Death.

Sidney Rittger and Miss Lillian Fisher, two of the victims of the Morgan Opera House panic, were not divided in death, even as they had hoped and planned to have been united in their lives. They were to have been married in a few weeks. Last evening to celebrate their formal betrothal they went to the moving picture show. Late in the afternoon, the two had vistedted a jewlery store where Miss Fisher selected her engagement ring and her intended husband placed it on her finger. A few hours later rescuers found them clasped in each others arms far down in the heap of dead.

Rittiger came here from Youngstown, Ohio, where his home was, and went to work recently in a local restaurant. Miss Fisher was employed at the home of John Cameron on White Lawn Terrace. Her home was in Glen Campbell Pa.

The Daily Notes -- August 29, 1911 CREPE STOLEN FROM HOUSE OF MOURNING

Despite the fact that a veil of sadness has been cast over the town of Canonsburg owing to the recent disaster in which 26 lives were trampled out, vandals have been following in the wake and this morning during the early hours the crepe on the Rittiger home was stolen. No trace of the vandals has been secured although the case has been reported of the local officers.

It is thought that the crepe was taken by some person who was seen about the premises during the night. This person was asked by people who were at the Rittiger home what they wanted but they could not give a satisfactory answer and were ordered away. It was soon after this occurrence that the crepe was missed.

Sidney Rittiger, one of the victims of Saturday night's catastrophe, was buried this morning, the services in charge of the Rev. Mr. Loomis of the First Baptist church.

No cause could be given why any person would take the crepe upon such an occasion as this and if the guilty person is found he will be dealt with severely.

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

The Rev. Herbert F. Loomis, pastor of the First Baptist church, conducted the funeral service for Sidney at the home near the plant of the Canonsburg iron and Steel works. The service was held at 10 o’clock and music, consisting of several hymns was furnished by the choir of the Baptist church. Rev. Loomis spoke and said that while the disaster had been terrible, he believed that good would come of it, that human life would be valued higher and that more sympathy toward one another would be shown. Burial was made at Oak Spring cemetery.

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

Sidney Ritteger of Youngstown, near the steel and iron mill, was killed, as was also his promised bride, miss Lillian Fisher, of Glen Campbell, Pa. Just before the couple had gone to the opera house Rittiger had purchased an engagement ring for the young woman who had promised to be his for the remainder of her life, which indeed was to be brief. Instead of a wedding ring it proved the seal of death.

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

Sidney Rittiger, about 30 years old, will be buried from the home of his mother near the plant of the Canonsburg Iron and Steel mill at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, the Rev. H. F. Loomis, being in charge. Burial in Oak Spring cemetery.

The Washington Observer -- August 28, 1911 Grim Ending of Romance

Canonsburg, August 27 - Sydney M. Rittiger and Miss Lulu Fisher, who met their death in the theatre here Saturday evening, were to have been married within a short time. Miss Fisher’s home was in Glen Campbell, this state, and she lived at the home of John Cameron, White Lawn Terrace. Mr. Rittiger, formerly lived in Youngstown O., but had been employed as a waiter at Canonsburg. Last evening he and Miss Rittiger were together and early in the evening the bridegroom to be had purchased the wedding ring. It was decided to go and see the show at the Morgan opera house. The two young people were caught in the awful rush and their lives blotted out. Today they lay, cold in death, side by side in one of the morgues.

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

At 11 o'clock the funeral of Sidney Rittiger, aged 30, was conducted from the home of his mother, who resides near the plant of the Canonsburg Iron & Steel company. The Rev. H. F. Loomis, of the First Baptist church had charge of those exercises and the First Baptist church choir sang. Rittiger was buried in the Oak Springs cemetery. It developed today that the crepe from the door of the Rittiger home had been stolen early this morning, the ghouls apparently being attracted by the value of the large quantity of ribbon attached to the crepe.