OBITUARY :
YOUNG FATHER OF 8 DIES IN BURNING HOME

ZOLAN CALVIN HARBAUGH, 42-year-old father of eight children, was fatally burned and his brother, Maurice T. Harbaugh, is reported in a serious condition at the Emergency hospital, Frederick, as the result of a fire which destroyed the log home of the former early Sunday morning at Blue Ridge Summit.

Harrowing details of the fire were related to the Maryland state policemen and members of the Blue Ridge Summit fire company by Mrs. Maurice Harbaugh, who with her husband and child, were spending the night at the Zolan Harbaugh home.

Mrs. Harbaugh, said she had retired about 2 o'clock Sunday morning leaving her husband and Zolan sitting in the living room talking. She awoke about 4 o'clock to find her room filled with smoke. She screamed to arouse other occupants of the house. Her husband, Maurice , rushed from the living room, which was ablaze, and aided his wife and Mrs. Zolan Harbaugh escort the nine children from the burning structure.

ZOLAN IS TRAPPED
In the confusion the group had forgotten Zolan who it was thought had left the room, When it was found he was not outside the building Maurice rushed to a window and heard his brother screaming for help.

Maurice gained entrance to the living room but was stopped by flames and smoke and barely managed to escape through a window.

He was severely burned about the face, head and hands.

Two passing motorists, Robert Nicklas, Highfield, Md., and Glen Fox, Sabillasville, Md., came upon the scene at approximately the same time. Nicklas returned to Blue Ridge Summit and summoned the fire company.

FIND CHARRED BONES
Charred bones of the victim were found near a window indicating that Zolan had been attempting to get out when he was overcome.

Firemen were unable to save anything, the flames having spread rapidly, and only the chimney place remained standing.

Maryland state policemen and firemen attributed the cause of the fire to an over-heated chunk stove in the living room.

Milford Sanders, Blue Ridge Summit, owner of the house, and brother-in-law of Zolan Harbaugh, told policemen his brother and family was scheduled to move next Thursday into another property in Blue Ridge Summit.

Sanders estimated his loss at $1,500 and $1,000 for the furniture and clothing lost by the Harbaughs. None was covered by insurance.

The Franklin County Red Cross took charge Sunday in assisting the Harbaughs, who lost all of their clothing and possessions.

FUNERAL HELD TODAY
The victim was born in Frederick county, Md., a son of Clemence and Grace E. (Miller) Harbaugh, Blue Ridge Summit. He was employed by the Waynesboro Machine company.

Surviving are his parents and widow and eight children, Mary, William, Linda, Roy, Nancy, Kenneth, Darlene and Janet Mae; nine brothers and sisters, Stanley, and Mrs. Carl Kipe, both of Highfield, Md.; Mrs. Harvey Benchoff, Charmian; Mrs. Eugene Sites, Fairfield; Maurice Harbaugh, Blue Ridge Summit; Lester, Fairfield; Russell, Blue Ridge Summit; Leroy, Fairfield, and Mrs. Layman Reese, Blue Ridge Summit.

Funeral services were conducted this afternoon at 2 o'clock at St. Jacobs Reformed church, Fountaindale, by the Rev. John Garman, Fairfield R. D., assisted by the Rev. Mr. Corl, Sabillasville. Interment in St. Jacobs cemetery.

Source : The Gettysburg Times Newspaper - Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pennsylvania - Monday, March 25, 1947