Marjorie Rose Metcalf, age 51
Miss Marjorie Rose Metcalf, of 66 Vernon Avenue, Rockville, was born June 22, 1893 in Rockville, daughter of German born Lena Mary (Glaeser) and Rockville native Frederick Elliott Metcalf. Miss Metcalf was found dead at the circus grounds after the fire on July 6 and was buried at Grove Hill Cemetery in Rockville after services at the Ladd Funeral Home. Marjorie leaves two brothers, Dr. E. Harrison Metcalf (56), and Dr. Martin V. B. Metcalf (57), five aunts, an uncle, two nieces and a nephew.
Marjorie attended the circus with her niece, Virginia Metcalf (8), and they sat in section B with Kenneth Dowding and his son Frederick. When they were trying to escape from the burning big top, Marjorie was struck by someone who had jumped, knocking her unconscious with a fractured skull. Virginia tried in vain to revive her aunt, but as the flames raged above them, she escaped through the canvas sidewall, with burns on her arms. Mr. Dowding tried to get Marjorie out of the burning tent but was knocked down, and wasn't able to find her when he got back up. Body #4509 was identified as Marjorie Metcalf at the State Armory by her brother, Dr. E. H. Metcalf on July 6, by her ring and teeth.
Miss Metcalf had attended local schools, and was a 1917 graduate from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. After graduation, she worked as a pharmacist with her father at one of Rockville’s oldest businesses, Metcalf’s Drug Store, established 1884, until his death in 1927, when she took over as owner/proprietor. Marjorie was known to be pleasant and friendly and was very popular throughout the city. Outside of her pharmacy business, she enjoyed raising flowers in her garden and attending concerts, plays and lectures at Bushnell Memorial, and was a member of Rockville Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Miss Metcalf’s brothers would take ownership of the store after her death, and it would be sold in 1948. Marjorie's estate was awarded $13,000 by the arbitration board.
Marjorie attended the circus with her niece, Virginia Metcalf (8), and they sat in section B with Kenneth Dowding and his son Frederick. When they were trying to escape from the burning big top, Marjorie was struck by someone who had jumped, knocking her unconscious with a fractured skull. Virginia tried in vain to revive her aunt, but as the flames raged above them, she escaped through the canvas sidewall, with burns on her arms. Mr. Dowding tried to get Marjorie out of the burning tent but was knocked down, and wasn't able to find her when he got back up. Body #4509 was identified as Marjorie Metcalf at the State Armory by her brother, Dr. E. H. Metcalf on July 6, by her ring and teeth.
Miss Metcalf had attended local schools, and was a 1917 graduate from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. After graduation, she worked as a pharmacist with her father at one of Rockville’s oldest businesses, Metcalf’s Drug Store, established 1884, until his death in 1927, when she took over as owner/proprietor. Marjorie was known to be pleasant and friendly and was very popular throughout the city. Outside of her pharmacy business, she enjoyed raising flowers in her garden and attending concerts, plays and lectures at Bushnell Memorial, and was a member of Rockville Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Miss Metcalf’s brothers would take ownership of the store after her death, and it would be sold in 1948. Marjorie's estate was awarded $13,000 by the arbitration board.
