James Frederick Brooks, age 10
James Frederick Brooks of 39 Pershing Drive, Plainville, was born June 2, 1934 in Manchester, New Hampshire, son of Dorothy E. (Morrison) and Frank A. Brooks. He was found dead at the circus grounds after the fire on July 6, and buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire. James leaves his father Frank Sr., 46, and his brother Frank Jr., 16. James' mother, sister, and brother George were also victims of the circus fire.
The trip to the circus wasn't a planned activity for the Brooks' on July 6th; Mrs. Brooks and her daughter "Jimmie" decided that day to take "the fellers" (George and James) to the circus. Mr. Brooks had already gone to his job at Pratt & Whitney that day, and was likely unaware when he returned home from work that his family had been killed at the circus. James' oldest brother, Frank Jr., was away at college, and didn't go to the circus with his mother and siblings.
Body #1506 went unidentified at the State Armory morgue and was one of the last 15 remaining bodies moved to the Hartford Hospital morgue where it was identified on July 8 as James Brooks by his father. His estate was awarded $7,000 by the arbitration board.
The trip to the circus wasn't a planned activity for the Brooks' on July 6th; Mrs. Brooks and her daughter "Jimmie" decided that day to take "the fellers" (George and James) to the circus. Mr. Brooks had already gone to his job at Pratt & Whitney that day, and was likely unaware when he returned home from work that his family had been killed at the circus. James' oldest brother, Frank Jr., was away at college, and didn't go to the circus with his mother and siblings.
Body #1506 went unidentified at the State Armory morgue and was one of the last 15 remaining bodies moved to the Hartford Hospital morgue where it was identified on July 8 as James Brooks by his father. His estate was awarded $7,000 by the arbitration board.
