The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-12-03
A HORRIBLE DEATH.
Samuel 3. kisner Burned to
Death in His Shanty at Ber-
wick Tuesday Morning.
SUSPICIOUS OF FOUL PLAY

A fate, horrible almost teyond
description, ard certainly without
a parallel for sadness, befell Samuel
B. Kisner, well known recident of
Berwick, early Tuesday morning.
The following graphic account of
the tragedy is taken from the Ber
wick Enterprise Of Tuesday: This
morning about 6 o clock Samuel b.
Kisner, we'll known resident of
this place, was burned to death
in a little shanty opposite the steel
plant. His tragic death was un-
known until the finding of his
charred remains revealed the sad
story to a passing workman. Barn.
ed almost to crisp, with arms,
legs and head gone, his body was
found amid the smoking ruins. No
one knows how he died-whethe
he slep. unconscious of his fate, or.
battled with the grim monster that
closed its fiery arms about him.
Old and alone, his spirit passed
from the peaceful slumber of earth
to find its waking in eternity, and
the weary soul that rested from its
earthly toll has found sweet repose
i'll an eternal rest.
Early this morning, about $40
O'Clock, Andrew Paul, who roomed
with Kisner, left the .shanty.
Everything was all right then, and
and Andrew had no apprehensions
of the awful fate that awaited his
comrade.
About o'clock fire broke out
and completely destroyed the build
ing. 1t is not known how the fire
caught. There was a stove in the
place "A stove that burned soft coal
and it is conjectured that possibly
it caught from it. However, it is
only conjecture and the true origin
is not known. Last Fourth of July
this same shanty was broken into
and a revolver stolen, the thief
never having been caught.
The scene at the fire this morning
was indeed pathetic one. Strong
men shuddered as they gazed on
the charred body Of the old man.
No one seemed to know who he
was. No one knew how or when
the fire started. A pail of gloom
and sadness had settled down on
the little group that gazed with
tear dimmed eyes on the terrible
sight. Men moved with soft steps
and spoke i'll low tones as though
the dead might hear and be dis
turbed by them, One gaze at the
pitiful sight and the strongest
hearts grew sick, the bravest forms
trembled. All morning people
visited the scene of the tragedy,
and the remains were finally identi-
fed as those of Mr.. Kisner.
Mr.. Kisner came to this place
about three years ago and was EN-
ployed os sand screener by Mr..
Culp. He boarded for a time
with Mr.. Freeman Souders, of
North Berwick, but had lately been
rooming with Andrew Paul near
the steel plant. He was IS years
old, and is survived by seven chill
dren-Mrs. Theodore Scott, of West
Berwick; Minnie and Charles, of
town, and Mrs c. M. Bates, Mrs.
Harry Seager, William and Harry,
all of Edwardsdale. Two of his
sons were killed while working in
the mines. He had many friends
in this place, who will regret to
learn of his tragic death.
With the story of Kisner's death
comes a suspicion of foul plav. A
night watchman at the malleable
works says that at about the time
the fire started he heard three dis
tinct pistol shots from the vicinity
of the shanty. Whether Mr.. Kis-
ner had sum of money about him
is not known, but indications in the
case point to something different
from an accident. Fire can easily |
blot out bullet marks and leave no
evidence of crime that might have |