OBIT: Max SEIGEL, 1891, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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BURNED TO DEATH.
The Charred Body of Max Seigel Found in the Rittman Stable.

  The fire yesterday morning by which the stable of Mrs. Mary Rittman 
was destroyed, was far more serious in its results than was supposed.  
Shortly after 2 o'clock in the morning the firemen were ordered home 
with the exception of the Good Will carriage which remained so as to be 
on the ground should the flames break out a second time.  Having some 
fears of the fire breaking out a second time from among the hay and 
straw, Chief Molloy, of the fire department, ascended into the hay loft 
at half-past 2, his object being to turn over the partially consumed 
hay and straw.  The only light then in the building came from the 
electric light at the corner of Tenth avenue and Fifteenth street.
  The chief had in his hand a stick, by which he was turning over the 
half charred straw, when he was suddenly confronted by a strange 
looking object.  On closer examination he found it to be the trunk and 
head of a human body.  Lights were brought and an examination revealed 
the half charred remains as though of Max Seigel, aged 25, and at one 
time an employe of the brewery of Kimmel & Werner, whose employ he left 
about a week ago.  The identity was established by a ring on the left 
hand.  The body when found presented a ghastly appearance.  The flesh 
had all been burned from the head, the right arm had lost all its flesh 
and the left hand had also suffered from the flames.  The unfortunate 
victim had on gum boots and these had, to some extent, been burned, and 
as to clothing, all that was left was scarcely more than a handful.  
Under the body were found three cigars, which had evidently fallen from 
the vest pocket of the deceased.  In the trouser's pocket was found a 
fifty cent piece and a twenty-five cent piece in silver, and also a 
Pennsylvania railroad check, No. 79.  He had a gold watch on Tuesday 
and the fact that it could not be found led many to believe there had 
been foul play.  This theory was exploded during the day, when the 
timepiece was found at his home.
  The body was taken from the loft, Coroner Poet was summoned and a 
jury as follows was empanelled: F. P. Molloy, M. A. Yeager, Theo. 
Crawford, Charles E. Gardner, George H. Maxwell, and M. Meindel.  A 
number of witnesses were examined and an adjournment was taken until 
evening.  Then an additional witness was summoned, who was Paul Hoover.  
He testified as to leaving Seigel about 11.30 Tuesday night.  Seigel 
was then smoking and had been drinking, but the witness did not think 
he was full.  The jury then returned a verdict to the effect that "the 
deceased man came to his death by being burned to death in the stable 
attached to the Mountain City brewers, the cause of the fire being 
unknown to the jury."  The body was placed in the care of Undertaker 
Stevens, by whom it was prepared for burial.
  Deceased was a son of Herman Seigel, of 1427 Fourth avenue.  The 
funeral will take place this afternoon at 3.30 o'clock from his 
father's residence.  Deceased was a member of the Vandalia lodge no. 
229, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, February 26, 1891

1900 Altoona Ward 2, Blair County census -
Herman Siegel, 59 - all born in Germany, immigrated 1884
Augusta Siegel, 57  
Auther [Arthur] Siegel, 23  
Mary A. Siegel, 20