from the Tree of Kelli Izat aamigo@hotmail.com\
born on 5 Jan 1863 in Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland. He died on 15 Jul 1913 in Lonaconing, Allegany Co., Maryland. While the injuries sustained by Robert Izat in the powder explosion in the cellar of his home on Scotch Hill Monday morning were known to be severe and painful, it was not thought that his death would result so soon. He died, however, at 7 o'clock last evening at his home from the result of his burns and from shock. Mr. Izat had been in poor health for some time prior to the explosion and had been suffering from insomnia. Mrs. Izat, too, has been in decidedly poor health, and it is feared her husband's death will seriously affect her condition. Death came to Mr. Izat peacefully and he passed away without any undue suffering. Robert Spier Izat was a native of Scotland, and was born a t Cross House, Ayrshire, January 5, 1863. He came to America in 1888, locating in Carlos where he remained for about a year, then coming to Lonaconing where he since resided. Mr. Izat was married in 1887 to Miss Jane Peel at Blantyre, Scotland, and she accompanied her husband here and has been his faithful and constant companion ever since. Mr. Izat followed his avocation as a coal miner, and having given much time and study to geology and mineralogy, he was regarded as an authority upon many questions as to the coal seams and the various veins and strata in this region. He did considerable prospect work for the large coal companies in this vicinity and had accumulated a large quantity of maps, drawings, books and statistics on these hubjects. Mr. Izat had also taken an active interest in tho politics of Allegany county and two years ago was defeated for the republican nomination for the legislature About three years ago Mr. Izat visited his old home in Scotland and a year later his father came to America and spent several months with his son, who was then residing at Harpersville. His father died about three or four months ago in a hospital in Scotland while undergoing an operation. On February 13 last, Mr. Izat and sons became the owners of the Black Diamond Mine, a small opening on the railroad side of Big Vein Hill. It was proposed to supply fresh coal from this mine for tho local demand, but Mr. Izat did not find the sale for the coal he expected and this seemed to worry him greatly. It was for use in the working of this mine that Mr. Izat had stored powder, dynamite, oil, etc., in the cellar at his home. Mr. Izat was a regular attendant at the First Presbyterian Church, and he was a member of Major Neff Lodge of Masons at Burbank, Lanarkshire, Scotland; of Lonaconing Lodge No. 86, IOOF, of this place; and Harmony Castle No. 3 A. O. Knights of the Mystic Chain of Midland. He was also a member of Blantyre lodge, Scottish Mechanics of Scotland, which organization has no branches here. Deceased is survived by his wife and the following sons and daughters: Robert, Jr., William and Thomas Izat; Misses Jane, Elizabeth, Nelli and Mary Izat, all of Lonaconing and living at home. Mr. Izat is also survived by one brother William, of Blantyre, Scotland, and four sisters, also residing in Scotland, as follows, Mrs. Mary Witherspoon, Mrs. Agnes Patton, Mrs. Nellie Reid, and Mrs. James McQuillen. Mrs. Izat is prostrated at the death of her husband. Funeral arrangements have not been made. The Evening Times, Cumberland, July 16, 1913 Article appeared in The Evening Times, February 7, 1905 - Mr. Robert Izat, one of the petit jurors whose service ended today, was in South Cumberland this forenoon with his friend. Mr. Lincoln Bradley, of Lonaconing, meeting "the boys" and incidentally permitting the fact to be made known that Mr. Izat is a candidate for the Republican nomination for sheriff of Allegany county. Mr. Izat is a coal miner and comes from District No. 27. He says, he expects to make a canvas of the entire county and that all competitors will know he is in the fight before the nomination is made. Mr. Izat says he believes the primary law is the right method of selecting candidates and under its
provisions he proposes to sail in and hopes to come out with flying colors. *****
Lonaconing, Md., July 14—Robert Izat, aged 50 years, owner of the Black Diamond mine, was seriously burned and otherwise injured this morning about 8:30 o'clock by the explosion of a keg of powder in the cellar of his home on Scotch Hill. While other members of his family were about to sit down to breakfast. Mr. Izat went into_tbe cellar to ejcammejhewater pipes. He had a pipe in his mouth and it is believed that in trying to light it, a spark flew into a nearby keg of powder. explosion which wrecked the house. When rescuers rushed to the aid of Mr. Izat they found him with the hair burned off his head and serious burns on face and chest. His eyes, however, are believed not to have been seriously injured. Dr. W. Q. Skilling was summoned to attend Mr. Izat. No other occupant of the house was hurt. Good Will Fire Company was notified and responded promptly. The damage to the house amounts to about $ 100. The house is owned by James H. White. While fighting the flames the members of Good Will Fire Company found fifteen sticks of dynamite in the cellar. Near them was a piece of carpet smouldering and ready to burst into flames. In another part of the cellar was a barrel of miner's oil. The Evening Times,
Cumberland, July 14, 1913 *****
30 years ago - Robert Izatt injured by explosion when his pipe explodes a powder keg in his basement. The Cumberland Evening Times, July 13, 1943 from the Tree of Kelli Izat aamigo@hotmail.com

Change: 9 Feb 2010