Arthur McPeake, one of the dead, lost his life in trying to save the lives of others. He was on the outside of the building when the panic started. He was one of the first to rush into the stairway, evidently believing the building was on fire. On the stairway he was met by the crowd of panic-stricken people, fell or was pushed down and his life was crushed out by the awful jam that filled the hallway.
George Kay was the son of Prof. and Mrs. Robert M. Kay. He is said to have lost his life in giving his place of advantage in the human jam to a girl.
Sidney Ritteger of Youngstown, near the steel and iron mill, was killed, as was also his promised bride, miss Lillian Fisher, of Glen Campbell, Pa. Just before the couple had gone to the opera house Rittiger had purchased an engagement ring for the young woman who had promised to be his for the remainder of her life, which indeed was to be brief. Instead of a wedding ring it proved the seal of death.
Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Lane of East Pitt street were killed. The youngest was the first baby born in Canonsburg after the consolidation of the two boroughs last May. Mrs. Lane is injured and her recovery is still in doubt.
One of the victims was little Walter Neish, a newsboy. He was known to many people along the streets in the business section and was well liked by all.
Mrs. Marshall, another victim, was the wife of Fred Marshall, one of the town dog catchers.