Person:Ellen Galloway (1)

Jamestown newspaper clipping dated May 6, 1952

“An 87-year-old retired country school teacher, Miss Nellie A. Galloway, died of third degree burns at 8 PM Monday in Westfield Memorial Hospital, nearly three hours after her clothing caught fire in her downstairs apartment at 23 Bank Street. The accident occurred at 5:35.

Coroner H. Harry Hemstreet, Mayville, issued a certificate of accidental death.

Dr. C. A. Heist was called to the scene and he was assisted at the hospital by Dr. Van Laughlin. Burns covered 95 percent of the victim's body, officials reported.

It was stated Miss Galloway's clothing caught fire from a gas stove as she was preparing her supper, and she was found screaming for help and sitting on the floor in the living room. Sparks had ignited a nearby couch.

Mrs. Lena Ameno, a neighbor, passing by, heard Miss Galloway's cries for help. Mrs. Ellen Munson, who lives in an apartment in the same side of the building, also heard her cries, and when she investigated, she ran to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Ross to summon them. Mr. Ross is a music teacher in the Westfield Central School system.

Fire Chief Bernard DuChaine and a group of volunteer firemen responded, but found burning only two rag rugs, which they believe were used to smother the flaming clothes. One of the neighbors threw a pail of water upon Miss Galloway.

The former school teacher, who lived alone, suffered from poor vision, and it is believed she did not realize her clothing was afire until she sat down. The Westfield Fire Department's emergency rig took her to the hospital.

Miss Galloway was born in LaCrosse, Minn. Dec. 19, 1864 and came to Westfield at the age of 8. She started teaching school at the age of 16, was long active in Westfield Grange and served as lecturer from 1931 to 1947. The State Grange at Syracuse in 1943 honored her for what was then the longest service of any lecturer in Chautauqua County.

She was also a member of the Methodist Church and of the Protheon Class.

Miss Galloway is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Galloway, Dewittville; a sister, Mrs. Merle Anderson, Sarasota, Fla., now en route to Westfield; and several nieces and nephews. A younger brother, John, died in 1916 in Mayville.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 PM at the Carpenter Funeral Home, Rev. Barnard F. Howe, pastor of the Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery.”