The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-15
GAS-FILLED
HOUSE KILLS
AGED COUPLE
Hugh MCGEE and Wife
Victims of Tragedy
at Home.

Mr. ana MIS-. 1uSu InS0Sc, o6SN
residents of the city, resting peace
fully in the home yesterday after
noon, passed to the other world
unconscious of the others depart
ure.
The double tragedy occurred short
ly after noon in the residence, 64i
Fourteenth avenue. They were
found dead by their son, James NC
| Gee, when he returned home al
1915 o'clock. Death resulted from
asphyxiation by illuminating gas.
Mr.. MCGEE was 20 and Mrs. MCGEE
was "A years of age.
| Mr.. MCGEE, who had been an 1ny
valid and confined to his bed,
passed away in a bedroom adjoln-
ing the front room where his wife
was found dead in a rocking chair
in front of the window. Three jets
were open on the gas stove IN the
kitchen where Mrs. MCGEE had pre-
pared coffee at noon time.
Near Death Before.
The aged couple had been near
death from asphyxiation several
times before. Last October they
gas and two years ago they mar
rowly escaped death in the same
manner. Because of Mrs. MCGEE
advanced age, according TO the
children, their mother sometimes
turned one of the Jets open ana
thinking it was lighted, turn to
open another. Her failing mem
ory was believed to have been tne
cause of the tragedy yesterday.
The son, James McGee, who re-
sided at the family residence, lef'
early in the morning and Mrs. NC
Gee was seen by the neignoors
about 10 o'clock After sne NAG
prepared lunch at noon, she was
noticed by the neighbors closint
the window in the front OF inc
house when the rain began. 1t was
her custom to sit in the chair a
this window where she was founc
dead. Her death is believed u
have occurred shortly after sht
; closed the window, cutting OH al
: ventilation in the house.
Mr.. McGee Realized Danger.
Mr.. MCGEE had evidently detect
ed the odor of gas and realized hi
| danger. He had been confined t
his bed six years as a result OF al
automobile accident when he wa
thrown to the pavement at Secon'
avenue and Nineteeth street an
received a fractured hip. At tn
time of the accident he was in tn
4 employ of the city. His wife ha
/ also been in Door health for som
time.
An inquest was conducted b
Coroner John F. Maberry th1
e morning at $50 O'Clock in tn
d Wheelan funeral home. The yer
e dict returned by the jury wa
# death resulted from accidental as
5. phyxiation." The son, James, and
:, neighbor, Mrs. Anna McCauley, 135
y Seventh street, testified at the IL
Il quest.
DR.. Joseph De Silva. who wa
n called after the son summoned IN
e neighbors, said that due to Tn
: advanced age of the couple an
T.. their weak physical condition
: death came quickly.
: NeighbOrhO0d Shocked.
The entire neighborhood,
which Mr.. and Mrs. MCGEE resides
o was shocked at the news OF tn
= tragedy and gathered in the HON
Il after the bodies were discovere
q by the son. The aged couple wei
a we'll known, having been resident
L of the city "A years.
Mr.. MCGEE was born in lrelan
and came to this country in 1877
He was united in marriage wit
Mrs. MCGEE, who was formerly Mi:
/ Bridget Haffey. May 5, 1878,
II Rock Island. He was memb'
\ of St Joseph's church and Il
4 Western Catholic union
! Surviving Mr.. and Mrs. McG'
are three daughters. Katherine al
o' Sarah, Davenport, and Mrs. Arth'
Gotthardt, Rock Island and fo'
y sons. John, ST. Louis; Hugh, Da
export; Daniel, Chicago, al
60 James, at home.
Mrs. MCGEE is also survived /
s. five sisters, Mrs. Anna Garah, Mi
Maggie Gillispie and Mrs. Hanni
III Donegan, all residing in Pennsy
y: vapia; Mrs. Alice Keeney, Stratto
o4 Neb.. and a sister in Kansas City.
o. Double funeral services will
o. held at 8 o'clock Wednesday NOR
III ing at St. Joseph's church. Rev.
Fl. Durkin will conduct the 81
u vices. Burial will be in the fam