OBIT: Death notice on John LEYDIG, 1931, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2012.  All rights reserved.
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JOHN LEYDIG

Forest Fire Fighters Caught in Fiery Trap Near Hyndman

John Leydig, Aged 20, Fatally and his Brother, Irvin and Raymond Burley Severely 
Burned

Large Areas of Timber in Somerset and Other Counties of Pennsylvania and Other 
States Destroyed - Methodist Church at Fort Hill Burned and Dwellings Saved with 
Difficulty - Fire Companies of Various Towns Battle Valiantly with Flames

  The warm dry weather of the last fortnight has resulted in many forest fires 
in Pennsylvania and adjoining states, much damage to timber being done and at 
least one life sacrificed in this county.

John Leydig Fire Victim

  Trapped in blazing timber by a sudden shift of the wind while fighting a 
forest fire Monday afternoon on Allegheny Mountain, near Hyndman, one young fire 
fighter was fatally burned and two of his companions were taken to the Memorial 
Hospital, Cumberland, with their hands and bodies badly seared.
  John Leydig, 20 years old, of Hoblitzell, near Hyndman, died at 10 o'clock 
Monday night in the hospital, to which he and his two companions were admitted 
at 3:30 o'clock Monday afternoon.  John Leydig's brother, Irwin, aged 22, and 
Warden Raymond Burley, 19, also of Hoblitzell, are expected to recover.  They 
are under the care of Dr. William A. Gracie.
  More than 250 men were fighting the flames that swept over one side of the 
mountain Monday and continued its ravages on the opposite slope.  The fire 
started Monday morning and spread rapidly, leaving a wide swath of destruction 
in its wake.

Trapped in Blazing Circle

  John Leydig and his companions were engaged in beating out blazing brush when 
a sudden change in the wind swept the flames through the timber on every side 
and trapped them within a blazing circle.  Their clothing was ignited as they 
attempted to break through the fiery cordon.  Scores of other fire-fighters, 
hearing their screams of agony, tried to rescue them but were forced back by the 
intense heat.
  When other members of the firefighting crew finally broke through to the 
trapped trio, they found the clothing burned from the men's bodies.  The fire 
victims were placed in an automobile and taken to Cumberland by Newton Hutzell, 
while other members of the crew continued their battle against the flames.  The 
blaze swept over a large area, destroying much valuable timber and driving game 
from cover.
  A smaller forest fire near Cook's Mills, about four miles from Hyndman, was 
brought under control Monday.
 
Funeral of Leydig

  The body of John Leydig was removed Tuesday morning from the Cumberland 
Hospital to the undertaking establishment of C. A. Sides, at Hyndman, where it 
was prepared for burial.
  The unfortunate youth was a son of Mrs. Florence Leydig, of Fairhope, and had 
been making his home at Hoblitzell with his grandmother.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers and four sisters.
  Funeral services probably will be conducted Friday afternoon, with burial in 
the Hyndman cemetery.

Meyersdale Republican, April 23, 1931