Indiana County PA Archives Obituaries.....Utsler, John & David January 1910 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sharon S. M. shabodeho@aol.com June 1, 2010, 9:15 pm Indiana County Gazette 01/05/1910 John & David Utsler Indiana County Gazette 01/05/1910 Living alone and dependent upon their neighbors for relief in the time of their great physical sufferings, John Utsler and Daniel Utsler, brothers, aged respectively 88 and 78 years, were burned to death in their two room home on the James Dick farm, almost opposite New Florence, and one mile east of Huff, West Wheatfield township, shortly after 3 o'clock Tuesday morning. The Dick farm is occupied by the Joseph Allridge family and it was one of the Allridge boys who discovered the flames. He was awakened by the fire and, upon looking from his window, saw the roof of the Utsler house fall in. Calling other members of the family, he soon raised a general alarm, but the flames had such great headway that the rescuers were forced to stop some distance from the dwelling. Finding that the occupants were the victims of a terrible fate, the Allridges directed attention to their own house, which stood some 30 feet from the burning building. It is said that only a change in the wind saved the Allridge property. The building occupied by the Utsler men is now smoldering ruins and is being visited by persons from miles around. The bodies were not moved at first, it being determined to wait until instructions were received from Coroner James S. Hammers. Merchant G. W. Clawson, of Huff, notified the Indiana County Commissioners of the double fatality and they deputized Undertaker 0. M. Bennett, of New Florence, to take charge of the remains. The bodies are somewhat charred. John and Daniel Utsler were bachelors and had been living on the Dick farm for five years. John suffered greatly from the infirmities of old age and had been bedfast for some months. Daniel was more rugged and until a month ago was able to care for his brother. Then Daniel suffered an attack of rheumatism and became so serious that he was seldom able to leave an arm chair given him by Mr. Allridge. The Allridge people saw that the aged men received medical attention, gave them cooked food, helped care for them and kept coal handy for Daniel to use in maintaining a fire. Monday evening the men were confined to their bedroom and when left by the Allridges, seemed comfortable "for" the night. It is presumed that Daniel kept the fire going and that he eventually fell asleep in the chair. It is probable that a spark fell from the stove and started the blaze, but if this was not the origin, it may have been from the flue. The house was only a temporary structure at best and, being frame, burned like tinder when once it caught fire. On Dec. 23 last, Mr. Allridge appeared before County Auditor R. J. Hood, who is also Justice of West Wheatfield township, and made affidavit that the Utslers needed county relief. In reviewing their case, he made following remarks, which were substantiated by Mr. Hood: The men came to Indiana county about 50 years ago from Cumberland, Md. Many years ago, the men owned a farm in the Germany settlement, but several years ago, they conveyed it to a niece and nephew by marriage,(Mr. and Mrs. John Clark) of Latrobe. Since that time, they have been living together on the Dick farm, which is owned by James Dick, of Connellsville. It is said, that they seldom, if ever, paid the rent. Daniel was a (?????)veteran and received a pension of $20.00 a month. They are believed to be very poor, as the money received from a property in Garfield, secured in part trade for the farm, was spent or loaned. It is said they loaned a nephew $300, but there is no note to show this. Daniel was a constable and tax collector for nine years and also poor overseer a brief time. He was badly crippled from rheumatism. John was old and poorly. They were a charge on the complainant and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Allridge, who have tried to relieve their sufferings. They had not been asked whether they would be willing to go to the County Home, but it was necessary that they be taken to some hospital. Owing to the press of other business, the application for relief was not acted upon until late last week when the Commissioners delegated Mr. Hood to visit the Utsler home and investigate. He found conditions as presented by Mr. Allridge and on Sabbath, made additional inquiries as to their condition. Monday Mr. Hood came to Indiana and gave his report. Commissioner James M. Marshall expected to go to Huff today and ascertain the condition of affairs. While Messrs. Allridge and Hood believe that the Utsler men would have opposed any efforts to bring them to the County Home, it is possible that such arrangement would have been made. Some 20 years ago Daniel Utsler was one of the foremost men in West Wheatfield township. He and his brother "batched" on their own farm, which adjoins R. J. Hood's in Germany, and enjoyed a comfortable living from the place. Daniel was elected constable and later tax collector and then poor overseer, holding office in all, about 12 years. They amassed a small sum and with Daniel's pension money were, able to give to their relatives when demands were made upon them. Their sister, Mrs. Joseph Brendlinger, who now lives in an eastern county, is said to have received some money from them. A favorite niece, who is now married to John Clarke, of Latrobe, was given a share of their property, giving them a house and lot in Garfield as part payment. Later the Garfield property was sold and the aged men of late years declared that they gave a part of the money received from it to their kindred. It is probable that these relatives will take charge of the double funeral. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb