A pall of sadness hovered over the village of Deshler and vicinity on Monday night and Tuesday when it was learned that two of Deshler's young men had perished in the awful catastrophe at the Ohio State Penitentiary.

The two young men, Samuel Aldrich and Wilbur D. Young were both reported as having been burned to death during the fire and friends and relatives alike anxiously awaited more definite information.

Early on Tuesday morning Wm. Young received a positive message from Columbus stating that his son had perished in the fire but no word to that effect had as yet been received by the Aldrich people. Early Tuesday morning at 2:45 to be exact a message had been sent to Bob Aldrich and signed by his brother Sam stated that he was alright and for them not to worry. Another message dispatched 21 minutes later stated that he was still O. K. but the message was unsigned. As no further word was received Bob Aldrich went to Columbus on Tuesday in the hope of getting more definite information. He was able to get in communication with the office of governor Cooper where he was informed that his brother Sam was still living and that he had not been in the fire. He was unable, however, to get to see his brother. On returning to Deshler, the Toledo papers carrying the announcement that he was among the dead caused Bob to believe that probably there was some mistake and he wired the office of Warden Thomas who replied that Sam Aldrich had not been in the fire and that he was O. K. A long distance call to Orrin Bailey who is an official on the Penitentiary staff also disclosed information that Sam Aldrich had not perished and that he had not been in the fire. And so as we go to press we do so with the hope that this information was true and that he at least had been spared from the awful fate that overtook the other Deshler boy and so many of the other inmates. Sam had many friends around Deshler who are glad to learn of this.

However, fate was not kind to Wilbur Young and he lost his life, while still a young man, within the gray walls of the institution in a most horrible manner. Trapped in his cell like a wild beast with no hope of release he could see the flames, smoke and heat creep closer and closer while all he could do was to wait and do nothing but still wait. Convict though he was, and the rest may be or rather may have been, yet withal there beat in his breast a human heart with human feelings and a heart that could love those near and dear to him and be loved in turn and it casts a pall of gloom and sorrow over those who knew him to think of the awful manner of his ending.

Mr. Young and Funeral director Rader took the ambulance to Columbus on Tuesday afternoon with the expectation of bringing the body back but were informed that no bodies would be released until 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning. They were also told that the body would be furnished with a shroud, color and tie and a coffin, and that transportation charges would be prepaid to its destination. Just when the body will arrive in Deshler and when the funeral service will be held is not at this time known.