Trenton, PA Fire, Feb 1904

Six Burned to Death

Five Men and a Boy Perish In Flames at Trenton, PA

Pottsville, Pa, Feb 6 – After a night’s revelry, six persons, five men and one lad, perished in flames at Trenton, a small mining village near Mahanoy City.

They were John Shisnisky, proprietor of the boarding house, his son, Alexander, and Michael Hodack. John Alansha, Joseph Kaparas and Peter Gribas boarders Twelve miners’ shanties were consumed.

It is believed that the fire originated from an oevrheated [sic] stove, and that the dead men were stupefied with drink. One of the number appeared at the window, and, failing in his attempts to lift up the sash, he was seen to topple over and fall back into the flames. The boy came to another window, and he, too, met the same fate.

The flames spread rapidly and the occupants of other houses escaped, scantily clad, into the streets, and while the temperature was near the zero mark.

The News, Frederick, MD 6 Feb 1904
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Transcribed by Liz Dodson. Thanks Liz!