OBIT: Catherine (McCLAIN) HYLAND, 1917, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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WOMAN KILLED IN FALL FROM PORCH
Mrs. Catherine Hyland, of Eighth Avenue, Victim of Bad Accident

  Mrs. Catherine Hyland, aged 79 years, of 432 Eighth avenue, blind for 
a period of six months, Saturday morning at 8:45 o'clock met death by 
falling off an upstairs porch roof to the pavement in front of her 
home, a distance of twenty feet.  She suffered a concussion of the 
brain, dying one hour and fifteen minutes after the accident, which was 
a distinct shock to her family and many East Side friends.
  Mrs. Hyland, widow of Michael Hyland, made her home with a daughter, 
Mrs. William Purcell.  During the past few months, owing to her mental 
and physical condition, she has been under almost constant watch, 
especially since the loss of sight, due to her weakened condition.
  Saturday morning she was seated in the kitchen with the daughter and 
several grandchildren.  Mrs. Purcell had occasion to leave the room, 
going directly to the cellar to look after some work there.  It was 
then that the aged lady left the room, making her way upstairs and 
through a narrow corridor at the end of which there was a small stand.  
In her bewildered condition Mrs. Hyland struck the stand and in some 
unknown manner went through the window leading to the porch roof, which 
extended to the floor, and onto the porch roof.  There she fell and 
plunged to the pavement below.
  Mrs. J. E. Gates, residing at 434 Eighth avenue, was attracted by the 
woman's cries and running to the front of the house saw what had 
happened.  She went to the aid of the fallen woman and with the 
assistance of Mrs. Purcell carried her into the house.
  Mrs. Hyland was rendered unconscious in the fall and Dr. Frank Keagy, 
of Fourth street, was summoned to attend her.  He made an examination, 
found that she had suffered a severe concussion of the brain with face 
and body bruises.  Her condition was critical and death apparently 
inevitable.  She was made as comfortable as possible and passed away a 
short time later.
  Mrs. Hyland was born in County Cavin [Cavan], Ireland, December 14, 
1837, her maiden name being Miss Katherine [sic] McClain.  She came to 
this country April, 1861, residing in Altoona ever since.  She married 
Michael Hyland October 8, 1865, the wedding ceremony being performed by 
the late Bishop Tuigg.  The husband died three years ago and a son, 
John, died last September.
  Surviving are four children - Mrs. William Purcell, who suffered from 
prostration following the sad accident; Mrs. Harry Hughes, James J., 
and Bernard J., all of this city.  She was a devout Christian woman, a 
loving mother and a friend of all.  Funeral services will be conducted 
from St. Mark's Roman Catholic church, of which she was a member, 
Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock with mass.  Interment will follow in St. 
John's cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, February 19, 1917