William Moat, Catasauqua, Passes Away in 64th Year

Was One of Firemen Injured In Unicorn Silk Mill Disaster

William Moats well known Catasauquan, died Sunday afternoon in the Sacred Heart hospital, where he was taken four weeks ago for treatment for gland tumors. He was in ill health for three weeks prior to being admitted to the hospital. He was in his 64th year.

Mr. Moat was born October 6. 1870, a son of the late William and Maggie. nee Leickel Moat. He spent his entire life in Catasauqua, and was one of the oldest members of the Southwark Hose Company.

On the morning of April 24 1890, with other firemen, he responded to an alarm which summoned them to the plant of the old Unicorn Silk mill, now the General Mills. Inc., North Catasauqua. That fire proved one of the most disastrous in the history of the borough. While the fire was at its height, Mr. Moat, with a number of other firemen, was caught under the debris of a falling wall, receiving terrible injuries and burns. Five lost their lives in the conflagration. One of Mr. Moat's legs was so badly burned that surgeons In St. Luke's hospital, Bethlehem, advised amputation. He protested vigorously and the operation was abandoned.

Mr. Moat carried the crippled limb through the remainder of his life, and each year observed the anniversary of the fire as a holiday.

He was an iron moulder by trade. In his canter years he was a foreman in the plant of the Union Foundry and Machine Company, later filling a similar position with the Catasauqua Castings Company. For the past thirty years he had been in the employ of the Davies and Thomas Company.

Mr. Moat attended the First Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife, Mary A.. nee Sehuler: one daughter. Irene K., wife of Percy C Rockel. Catasauqua: two stepchildren, Robert Gift, Catasauqua, and Charles Gift, Philadelphia: two sisters, Annie Moat and Sallie, wife of Jessie Stone, Catasauqua street commissioner; two brothers, George and James Moat, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at late home, 302 Wood Street, Catasauqua, Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in Fairview cemetery, West Catasauqua.