The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-30
Ste wart G. Forney
Yields 80 Inches in
Grating Operation
on Little Paul Erb
REFUSES TO TAKE
AN ANAESTHETIC
Big Iron Moul1er Bravely Makes Sacri-
hce of Cuticle for Boy Terribly
Burned by Fourth of July Spark
lers"

Stewart &. Forney, 81 years old, 43t
Harris street, until Il few weeks ago an
utter stranger to Paul Sidney Erb. Is
years old, the boy who WAS terribly
burned by Fourth of July "sparklers =
ON farm near Enterline on july 3.
TINS afternoon submitted to an opera
tlon whereby nearly eighty squafc
inches of skin were transferred from
his body to the leg of the burned boy.
IN order to save Erb from being az.
flleted for life. The operation was
started at 2.30 O'Clock in the ED
home, 2S6 Charles street.
1t is just seventeen weeks ago to.
day that little Paul Erb was terribly
burned while on a visit to the farm of
Mrs. Anna Albitz, near Enterlne, when
an older companion set fire to some
'sparklers' the youngster was carry.
ing in the right hand pocket of his
trousers, Two weeks following that
accident Mrs. Lottie NJ. Erb, mother OF
the boy, brought him to her home in
this city in such serious condition
that 1T was feared for time that the
boy would not recover. He has gained
strength slowly, but it became evident
to the attending physician several
weeks ago that the wounds, which are
very deep, would not heal unless a skin
grating operation was performed.
Mrs. Erb was willing TO give the
eutiele from her own body to make
the operation possible, but the physi-
elan would not permit her to make the
sacrifice because of the care the burned
boy would have to have and the opera
tion would temporarily incapacitate
her from nursing him. A story printed
in the Star rIndependent that such an
operation would be necessary was read
by Stewart G. Forney, a total stranger
to the Erbs, who Immediately wrote to
Mrs. Erb offering his skin to save the
boys leg.
Forney Strong and Healthy
Several other persons also offered Gu
ticle, but they all backed down when
the time came except Mr.. Forney
When he received word from Mrs. Erb
that his offer would be accepted he i'm
mediately went TO visit the boy and
they became great friends. Forney
has been to call on the little sufferer
almost every day since that time and
when he could not do that he tele-
phoned to Erb, whose bed is near the
telephone instrument in the living
room of his home.
DIR. David |. Miller, who has been
treating the boy, examined Forney re.
Gently and pronounced him physically
fit to undergo the operation and plans
were speedily made for the transfer of
the skin.
Forney is perfect specimen of
manhood and his health is excellent,
But 21 years old, he is employed as a
moulder in the Harrisburg Foundry Il
Machine works, a position which re-
quires great physical strength. He is
FIVE feet, nine and one-half inches tall
and weighs $50 pounds. He did not
work last night, having temporarily
quit his job, with the hearty approval
of his employers, to rest for the ordea
he underwent this afternoon.
As the time approached for the op
Grafton Forney showed no signs of ner
vousness. He said he was sure he
would be able to undergo the ordeal
without being placed under an anaesthe
tic. When ask how long he thought
he would be compelled to remain away
from work after the operation he said
he did not have the slightest idea and
did not care as long as his act would
benefit his new found friend.
Mother Nurse at Operation
AS the time grew short little Pau
Erb seemed to grow nervous and was
eager to know if he would be lame. Dr.
Miller assured him that he will b.
walking on crutches by Christmas time
and that seemed to cheer the little fel
low.
Mrs. Erb acted as nurse during the
operation which was performed by DR..
Miller. The only other person in the
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