The Washington Observer -- August 31, 1911 TWO MORE VICTIMS ARE LAID TO REST

Bodies of Mrs. Kelly and Little Son of Houston Interred Yesterday

PREPARING FOR INQUEST

One Hundred or More Witnesses Summoned to Testify

HOW KELLYS MET DEATH

Canonsburg, Aug. 30. -- One funeral passed over the streets here today, two more of the victims of last Saturday evening's theatre disaster being laid to rest in the Oak Springs cemetery. They were the bodies of Mrs. Mary Kelly, wife of Harry Kelly, of Houston, and her two-year-old son, Earl James Kelly. The mother and little one were laid to rest in one grave. There is one more victim to be buried, Francis Byrd, the young colored girl, and her funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

The funeral over the remains of Mrs. Kelly and her young son were held this morning at her late home in Houston. They were the only two persons from Houston who met their death in the opera house crush. The services were held at 10 o’clock and were in charge of Rev. H. F. Loomis, of the First Baptist church, Canonsburg, of which Mrs. Kelly was a member, and where the little boy attended Sunday school. Rev. David Morris, of Minersville, formerly pastor of the Canonsburg church, expected to assist, but was delayed by the trolley car being late, and reached the home just at the end of the services.

A Touching Scene

The casket of the son stood just at the head of the mother's. There were a number of beautiful floral tributes. There was one from the Philadelphia company, by whom Mr. Kelly is employed. On the casket of the boy there lay a floral piece, on which was this inscription: "Sympathy of the Cradle Roll." This came from the cradle roll of the First Baptist church. Rev. Mr. Loomis made a very beautiful and impressive address. The services were well attended. Mrs. Kelly's maiden name was Organ. She was the daughter of George Organ and aged about 36 years. She had lived in this section all her life, and leaves a wide circle of friends. There survive her, her husband and a four-year-old son, George William Kelly.

Four little boys, members of the Sunday school, were to act as pall bearers for the son, but did not reach the Kelly home on account of a late car. The two that were present were Glendore O'Brien and Frederick Holsing.

How Kellys Met Death.

Mr. Kelly is discussing the terrible calamity and said that he and his family were coming from the theatre and seeing that there was going to be a rush he took the two children in his arms. In coming down the stairs he was knocked down in some manner and fell on top of the oldest son which saved his life. He held to the younger son and in a moment he was trampled from his arms and his life crushed out. Mr. Kelly, who was lying on top of the oldest son managed to raise himself up sufficiently to keep the pressure off the son while the frightened mob scrambled over his own body trying to gain the street through the death trap entry. He managed to hold his position long enough for some one to secure the oldest son and take him to a place of safety. While he was trying to save is children is wife was knocked down by the mob and smothered before assistance could reach her.

The borough still feels keenly the awful catastrophe. Now that the dead have all been taken to their last resting, those stricken by the disaster, their friends and residents of the borough have begun to fully realize what did happen on Saturday night in that awful crush in the theatre entrance.

Preparing for Inquest.

Chief of Police Samuel Swan, assisted by others, is busy making preparations for the inquest, which will be held, Friday morning at 9:30 o'clock in the council chamber. Over 25 witnesses have been subpoenaed, and it is expected over 100 will be summoned. State Factory Inspector J. C. Delaney, of Harrisburg, will be present on Friday.

As to the report that there were baby carriages in the entrance leading up to the theatre, it is understood there have been subpoenaed witnesses who will testify there were baby carriages there, and that one was thrown out over the crowd and another smashed in the crush.

Deputy Factory Inspector Patterson, who was here on Monday, said that the fact that baby carriages were there did not make any difference, as the building was one used also for offices, and the theatre did not control the stairway.