Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-30
GAS FUMES FATAL
TO Mr.. MONTAGUE
WHO IS FOUND DEAD
His Daughter, Sister ImmacuI-
alta, Survives But Is Very III.

while in the act OF going to the as
sistance of his daughter Sister Imma-
culata, of St Joseph's Hospital,
Wheeling. who was iii from the same
cause. Mr. Lawrence A. Montague.
died during the past night at his
home. 222 North College street. The
body was not discovered until about
$50 o'clock this morning, when his
nephew, DR.. Matthew e. Mccormack,
and several others entered the house
to discover why Mr.. Montague had not
reported aus usual this morning at the
Hannis Distillery, where for many
years he has been export guager.
! Mr. lMontagues body was lying
inside the upper room occupied by
his daughter and it was necessary to
shove his lower limbs aside in order
to open the door. Sister immaculate
was discovered to be in an uncon-.
scious condition. DR. II. G, Tonkin,
who was visiting at a nearby home,
and Dr. s. n Myers were also called
| in to assist in resusciating her. and
| 1t was found necessary to remove the
sufferer to the Kings Daughters Hos
pital. at 2 o'clock this afternoon, al
| though still unconscious, her condi-
ton is much better and 1t Is thought
she will recover. MIR. lMontague's
remains were removed to Funeral Di-
rector Wilen's establishment. await
ing word from his other daughters
Sister Doretta, teacher In Visitation
Convent, Mont de Chalies, Wheeling
and Miss Louise Montague, for some
time employed in a government posi-.
ton at Washington.
Ever since the death OF his wife
and the departure of his daughter
for Washington, Mr.. Montague had
been residing alone at the old home
place. Yesterday evening in antici-
patton of visit from his daughter.
Sister Immaculate, who arrived on
the evening train over the Baltimore
and Ohio, he started a coal fire In
the Latrobe stove in the front room.
Later in the evening. after the arri-
val OF his daughter, the presence OF
coal gas made itself felt, but after
an investigation of the chimney, MIR.
Montague evidently thought it had
subsidized.
The register opened directly in the
room occupied by Sister Immaculate,
close to her bed, and 1t Is very likely
that she became i'll during the night
and possibly called to her father. AS
his health has been poor for some
years 1t is thought he was overcome
liby the odor upon entering the room,
falling to the floor where the gases
were dense, and soon expired. From
all appearances he had been dead
some hours Sister immaculate be-
ing somewhat above the dense area
was not fatally affected, but could not
have existed much longer.
This morning Miss Rose Quinn, a
neighbor, who was TO have gone to
early church at ST. JosephTs with Sis
ter immaculate, called at the house
and after failing to arouse them, con-
cluded they had spent the night else
where. Later in the morning MIR.
John Jacques, of the distillery, COM
menced search for MFR. Montague,
as the latter carried all important
keys. DR.. Mccormack was communi-
Gated with and in company with Mr..
Jacques and MIR. c. G. Keedy, enter
ed the Inflated residence with the re-
suit previously stated.
| Mr.. Montague was very likeable
man, a devout Catholic and possessed
many friends He was jovial and al
ways had a cheerful word for every
one he met The family is one OF
ancient Irish lineage. His father, the
late Christopher Montague, a contract
ing stone mason. came to this coun-
try from Ireland when young man,
landing with his family in Baltimore.
About 20 years afo when the B. & o.
came through, they came to Mar
tinsburg and the elder Montague built
the stone house in which his son
died. The deceased was about "
years of age and had been connected
with the distillery for many years.
Prior to that he operated store for
his brother-in-law the late MIR. Walsh
in Harpers Ferry. During the war
he served in the Confederate army in
the company of the late Capt j. @. A.
Nadenbousch. Although taking a
lively interest in public and national
affairs he never aspired to any politi-
cal office. Aside from his three dau-
| ghters he Is survived by one sister,
lSister Geneyieve, OF the Visitation
Convent, Frederick. Md.