OBIT: Harry NICKLOW, 1945, Markleton R.D., Somerset County, PA

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

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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HARRY NICKLOW

Markleton Man Fatally Burned

Harry Nicklow Became Human Torch Aftermath Of Electric Storm

  As an aftermath of a severe electric storm which swept over Somerset County 
last Saturday night, Harry Nicklow, 48-year-old farmer of Markleton R.D. 1, 
became a human torch on Sunday morning and died Tuesday in the Price Hospital, 
Confluence.
  Nicklow, married and father of seven children, was trying to get his 
automobile into his garage when caught outside with the car when the storm 
broke, Saturday evening.  The storm was so fierce that he could not get the car 
into the garage and was forced to leave it outside until the storm was over.
  On Sunday morning, assisted by his 12-year-old son, John, he was trying to get 
the water drenched car started to take his family to Sunday School.  He had 
difficulty in getting ignition, and while he had the hood open and was working 
on the engine, the boy poured some gasoline into the carburator from an open 
container, just as a switch was accidently turned, causing a spark that ignited 
the gasoline which suddenly flamed up and set Mr. Nicklow's clothing on fire.  
Almost instantly the man became a human torch.
  He threw himself on the ground a few feet from the car and rolled himself over 
and over, trying to smother the flames, but nearly all of his clothing was 
burned off him and the skin on his abdomen and back was burned almost to a 
crisp.
  A nearby camper rushed the suffering man to the Price Hospital in Confluence 
in his car.  Nicklow was able to walk into the hospital, but his burns were so 
severe and covered such a large area of his body that healing was impossible.  
All that could be done to alleviate his suffering was done by Dr. Price and the 
hospital staff, until death put an end to his agony.
  Born near Kingwood, a son of William and Minnie (Stairs) Nicklow, Harry 
Nicklow lived all of his life in that neighborhood.
  Surviving in addition to his parents, are his wife, Mollie (Tressler) Nicklow, 
and these children: Mrs. Etta Grace Turney of Fort Hill, Mrs. Avanell Ream, and 
Mrs. Annabelle Pletcher, and Harold Nicklow of Markleton, R.D. 1; John, 
Geraldine, and Peggy Nicklow, all at home, and these brothers and sisters 
survive: Clarence N. Nicklow, Markleton; Orin Nicklow, Markleton; Mrs. Lola 
Colwell, Markleton, R.D. 1, and Mrs. Lulu Show, Somerset.
  Funeral services Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Old Bethel Church with Rev. J. I. 
Kalp officiating.   Burial in the church cemetery under direction of Mills and 
Mickey, Rockwood morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, September 6, 1945