Last Surviving Victim of Old Mill Disaster Dies

Friday, June 25, 1915

Rock Springs Park after fire of June 5, 1915, showing Old Mill

On this day in Rock Springs Park History, the Hancock County Courier reported that Hyacinth Mackey age 16, the last surviving victim of the disaster which destroyed the Old Mill at Rock Springs Park on the evening of June 5, had died.

Hancock County Courier- Last Survivor Of Old Mill Fire Dies


Hyacinth Mackey age 16, the last surviving victim of the disaster which destroyed the Old Mill at Rock Springs park on the evening of June 5, died at 8 o'clock Sunday evening the Chester General hospital, where she has since been confined. Dr. G. W. Wentz of the hospital staff, who has been in attendance, stated that the general condition of the girl was improved but her heart failed at the last. Her burns most serious about the back, arms, neck and face. The physician stated that she was the least burned of the four victims.


The Mackey girl, in company with Eva Dales and Glenna Stout, all of Newell, went to Rock Springs park on the night of the accident. All three of the girls together with Albert Rayner, aged 12, of Chester, were the most seriously burned and all except Miss Mackey died within a few hours after the accident.


The Mackey girls condition for a time seemed greatly improved. Last Tuesday, a change for the worse was noted and since that time she has been hovering between life and death.


She is survived by her parents and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Pittswater and Bessie, Lee, Gladys, Geneva, Wm., Ralph, Harold, Evelyn, Frances, Margaret and Robert all at home. She was employed at the Laughlin pottery with the Dales girl who succumbed to her burns on the Sunday following the accident. She was a member of the M. E. church and also of the choir of the M. E. church of the Newell and a member of the Sunday school class taught by Miss Reardon. Funeral services were held Tuesday.