OBIT: Charles J. SHIELDS, 1893, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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WAS SEVERELY BURNED.
A Painful Accident Yesterday Afternoon.

Charles Shields, of 321 Seventh avenue, a manufacturer of soft drinks, 
was painfully burned about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, while engaged 
in boiling some vanilla extract on the kitchen stove in his home.  The 
extract, which was in a gallon bottle in a water bath, bubbled up and, 
to prevent an explosion, Mr. Shields drew the liquid across the stove 
to him and removed the stopper.  A few drops of the liquid splashed out 
into the fire and to prevent a fire Mr. Shields attempted to replace 
the cork, but the now boiling mass bubbled out in a stream and 
saturated his clothes, which became ignited from the fire and he was 
soon in flames.  He then dropped the extract and ran into the work room 
of his establishment on the same lot, where his employes extinguished 
the flames with a hose.  Mr. Shields now thought of the burning liquid 
in the house and, injured as he was, took a bucket of water and ran 
back to the kitchen where he put out the fire which had already spread 
to the carpets.  Drs. Feltwell and Couch were summoned and upon 
examination it was found that his face, neck, chest and both hands and 
arms were badly scorched.  The proper treatment was given and no doubt 
a few weeks will see him about again.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday Evening, May 23, 1893

Charles J. Shields

Died from injuries received in the burning accident noted in Tuesday's 
Mirror on Saturday evening at 7 o'clock.  His death was quite 
unexpected, as his injuries were not considered dangerous.  The 
inflammation from the burns about his throat took a fatal turn, 
however, and suffocation was the result.  Charles J. Shields was born 
in Philadelphia, February 3, 1855, and was in his 39th year.  He was a 
soft drink manufacturer by trade, and removed to this city about five 
years ago and established a manufactory at 323 Seventh avenue.  Besides 
his wife and two sons, aged 11 and 4 respectively, he is survived by 
his parents, one sister and six brothers.  His father, mother and one 
brother reside at Houtzdale.  The other brothers are John, of 
Homestead, William, of Philadelphia, Edward, of Clearfield, James, of 
Punxsutawney, and Michael, of Braddock.  His sister, Miss Mary, resides 
in Philipsburg.  Deceased was a member of the Catholic church, and a 
high mass of requiem was celebrated this morning.  At 2 o'clock the 
funeral party took the train for Houtzdale, where the body will be 
interred tomorrow.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Monday Evening, May 29, 1893