Myrtle
Firestone
(1883-1958)
Myrtle Firestone was born on Jan. 4, 1883 at Murphy Siding near Connellsville, Fayette County, PA, the youngest daughter of Lewis and Sarah Ann (Rose) Firestone. She never married, and was tragically killed in a freak vehicle accident.
There was an
18-year difference in age between Myrtle and her eldest brother, Austin.
She resided in Pittsburgh circa 1930. In about 1951, she moved to the Breakneck area near Connellsville.
Said the Connellsville (PA) Daily Courier, she was "a familiar site on the streets of Connellsville as she sold garden products." She used a horse and buggy in her selling work.
Tragedy struck in September 1958 when the 75-year-old Myrtle was on her usual rounds delivering goods. She "stopped the horse and buggy for a rest about halfway up the hill east of St. Joseph’s Cemetery and was returning to the roadway," said the Courier. A pickup truck "struck the right rear wheel of the buggy as he swerved to pass the slow moving vehicle. When the truck hit the buggy the horse bolted, turned sharply to the right, throwing the operator to the roadway. The horse then dragged the buggy, destroying it."
Myrtle died soonafter at Connellsville State Hospital. She was laid to rest at Rich Hill Cemetery near her parents.
Copyright © 2004 Mark A. Miner