OBIT: Fleming H. ROSS, 1873, Tyrone, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MS Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ ROSS - The young man killed at Blair Furnace last Tuesday, at the burning of the oil train, was an employee at Byer's mill, and named F. H. Ross. It is a warning to persons up to stealing rides. The Register, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, March 26, 1873 Destructive Oil Fire and Loss of Life. Between twelve and one o'clock last Tuesday morning as the second Harrisburg freight east was approaching Blair Furnace station the train separated about the middle, and coming together again with great force three some of the cars from the track, which, being tank cars, the oil immediately ignited, and in a very few moments twelve cars and the oil in five others, were destroyed. As all the train hands were found to be safe it was not suspected that anyone was injured until the wreckers, in cleaning away the debris came across the charred remains of a human being. It was subsequently ascertained to be those of a young man named F. H. Russ, or Ross, aged about 19 years, whose parents reside near Tyrone, and who is supposed to have been stealing a ride to his home. As no cries were heard there is no doubt he was instantly killed. General Superintendent Gardner, and other officers of the road, were promptly on the ground, but with all their efforts it was six or seven hours before the track was repaired sufficient for the passage of trains. An estimate of the magnitude of the conflagration may be formed when it is stated that our city, at a distance of nearly three miles, was well illuminated, and the firemen responded to the call with their accustomed promptness, but finding where and what it was, returned to their rest. The remains of the unfortunate victim of his own imprudence was taken in charge by the railroad company, placed in a coffin and sent to his friends. Altoona Sun, Altoona, Pa., Friday morning, March 21, 1873 1870 Antis Township, Blair County census - Kephart Ross, 49 Amilia Ross, 48 Flemming Ross, 20, works in planing mill Harriet Ross, 13 Joseph S. Ross, 7