Olive M. (Rogers) Snelgrove, age 42
Mrs. Olive M. (Rogers) Snelgrove of 8 Usher Avenue, Plainville, was born May 7, 1902 in Monson, Maine, daughter of Maine natives Alberta Abi (Deitch) and Alva Lewis Rogers. Olive and her husband, Ralph, 48, were found dead at the circus grounds after the fire on July 6, and were buried at West Cemetery in Plainville after services at the Bailey Funeral Home on July 8. Olive and Ralph’s only daughter, Shirley, attended the circus with her parents to celebrate her twelfth birthday on that very day and was seriously injured. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Snelgrove leaves her mother, Alberta, and her sister, Mrs. Hazel Jones of Waterbury.
Body #1589 was identified at the State Armory as Olive Snelgrove on July 6 by Dr. Frank G. Boardman, a Plainville dentist. Olive’s estate was awarded $10,000 by the arbitration board. The Snelgrove family sat opposite of where the fire started, and they rushed to the top of bleachers when the tent ignited, but they feared the 12’ drop and headed toward the exit. Shirley became separated from her parents at the animal chutes and decided to return to the top of the bleachers and this time she jumped, and was dragged outside to safety. Her parents remained inside the tent when the roof collapsed.
Body #1589 was identified at the State Armory as Olive Snelgrove on July 6 by Dr. Frank G. Boardman, a Plainville dentist. Olive’s estate was awarded $10,000 by the arbitration board. The Snelgrove family sat opposite of where the fire started, and they rushed to the top of bleachers when the tent ignited, but they feared the 12’ drop and headed toward the exit. Shirley became separated from her parents at the animal chutes and decided to return to the top of the bleachers and this time she jumped, and was dragged outside to safety. Her parents remained inside the tent when the roof collapsed.
