Allegheny County PA Archives-  Obituaries: Claffey, Thomas; Smith, William; Dwyer, John, 09 Feb 1898

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Martha Little, <littlegen03@hotmail.com>, Jul 2010

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In the late evening hours of Wednesday, February 9, 1898, a fire and
explosion occurred at the Union Storage building at Pike and
Thirteenth streets, resulting in numerous deaths. The following were
a few of the victims.
 
from The Pittsburgh Press dated Friday, February 11, 1898 (page 6):
 
Thomas CLAFFEY, aged 37 years, single, of 2124 Mulberry alley. He was
employed by the Shoenberger Steel company as a driver. His body was
recovered about 6 o'clock last evening and identified by Richard
HALEY.
 
William G SMITH, aged 27 years, single, employed as oiler at
Chautauqua Lake ice company. His home was at 16 Crawford street. The
body was identified by an uncle, Peter McGONNIGLE, shortly after being
removed from the ruins yesterday morning.
 
John DWYER, 35 years old, single, driver for Shoenberger's mill; lived
in the rear of 105 Mullberry alley.
 
from The Pittsburgh Press dated Friday, February 11, 1898 (page 10):
 
DEWIRE - On Wednesday, February 9, 1898, at 11 pm, John DEWIRE, age 32
years. Funeral from the residence of his step-father, John
FITZPATRICK, 105 Mulberry alley, on Saturday, February 12, at 9 am.
High mass of requiem at St Patrick's church at 10 am. Friends of the
family are respectfully invited to attend.
 
 
from The Pittsburgh Press dated Saturday, February 12, 1898 (page 1):
 
The funeral for John DEVINE (sic), driver for the Chautauqua Lake Ice
company, took place from St Patrick's church, Seventeenth street, this
morning. A great many of the ice wagon drivers attended and several
large floral offerings covered the coffin. One of the larger floral
designs was a broken column with the words "Our Brother" from the
Chautauqua company drivers.
 
 
from the City of Pittsburgh Death Records:
 
Thomas CLAFFEY, age 37 years, single, teamster, died February 9, 1898;
crushed in falling building; son of Thomas and Mary CLAFFEY, both of
Ireland; born in Washington PA; lived at 2124 Mulberry Alley; burial
in Washington PA cemetery on February 12, 1898.
 
John DEWIRE, 32 years old, single, driver, died February 9, 1898,
crushed in falling building; son of James DEWIRE and Mary FITZPATRICK,
both from Ireland; born in Pittsburgh; lived at rear of 105 Mulberry
Alley; burial in St Mary's Cemetery on February 12, 1898.
 
William SMITH, age 27 years, single, oiler, died February 9, 1898,
crushed in falling building; son of James and Sarah SMITH, both of
Ireland; born in Mercer County PA; lived at 16 Crawford Street; burial
in Calvary Cemetery on February 12, 1898.