"Bus" and his five children (Marcelline,11; James Jr,9; Carolyn Joyce,7; Hazel Ruth,4; and William,2) were killed in a house fire in Pleasantville, PA, in the early morning hours of Jan 19, 1947. All six were buried in one casket. Wife and mother "Annette" died in Titusville Hospital six days later. The entire family is buried in a common grave (Lot 35B).

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"Emerson Born At Kane, All Children Here...Father Went to Schools Here; Once Employed By Titusville Herald...James L Emerson, who lost his life in a fire that destroyed his home early Sunday, was born Feb 20, 1911, at Kane, son of Arthur and the late Harriet Hansen Emerson. He came to Titusville with his parents while still a child and attended the public schools. He married Annette Kenniston of Eldred Center (Route 1, Grand Valley) in 1935. He had worked as a laborer on odd jobs in recent months, his latest employment being with Bailey Brothers at Pleasantville. He had resided in the Pleasantville community during the past five years. Several years ago he was employed in the Herald's job printing department. Besides his wife, he leaves his father and step-mother, Mr and Mrs Arthur Emerson of this city, and the following brothers and sisters, all of whom live here; Howard Emerson, Mrs Manley Manross, Mrs Raymond Johnson, Mrs Theodore W Jacobson, Mrs John Antill Jr, Donald R Emerson and William F Emerson. There are also several nieces and nephews. All of the children were born in Titusville: Marceline on Jan 10, 1936; James Jr on Nov 23, 1937; Carolyn Joyce on Dec 7, 1939; Hazel Ruth on Oct 13, 1942; and William on April 20, 1944. The three older children were students in the Pleasantville schools. Their untimely death will be greatly mourned by their schoolmates. The remains of Mr Emerson and five children were removed to the E A Peterson funeral home and placed in a single casket. Friends may call at the funeral home until 1:30 Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services at 2 o'clock will be private with Rev Albert Broadhurst in charge. Interment will be in the Tidioute cemetery."

(Titusville Herald, Jan 20, 1947, p.2)

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"Bodies of Six Laid To Rest In One Grave...Father and 5 Children Who Perished in Fire Interred at Tidioute...FUNERAL PRIVATE...Although the services conducted in memory of James L Emerson and his five children were private, a gathering of relatives that nearly filled the parlors of the E A Peterson funeral home assembled at 2 pm yesterday to pay tribute to their memory. The single casket in which reposed the bodies of Mr Emerson and his children, Marceline, 11; James L Jr, 9; Carolyn Joyce, 7; Hazel Ruth, 4, and Billy, 2, was surrounded by beautiful flowers. Many friends of the family had called at the funeral home on Monday and there was special inquiry as to the condition of the mother, Mrs Annette Kenniston Emerson, who was very seriously burned in the explosion which started the fire that wiped out her family early Sunday. Her condition at the Titusville Hospital was still reported critical yesterday. Rev Albert Broadhurst, rector of St James' Episcopal church, conducted the service and paid special tribute to the courage of the father, who braved the flames and gave his life in an effort to save his children. The rector also spoke of the bereaved mother now hovering between life and death as a result of the burns which she sustained at the time of the tragedy...Showed True Spirit of Heroism...'The father of these children in giving his life exemplified the true spirit of heroism,' said Rev Broadhurst. 'He must have known the danger. Nevertheless, the instinct of the father prompted him to save, if he could, his loved ones. The wife and mother, if she recovers, although greatly bereaved, will have the comfort of knowing that the husband and father did all he could to rescue their children.' Not withstanding the very cold and stormy afternoon, many friends of the family from the Tidioute community gathered at the cemetery for the committal service. The casket was placed in the single grave, with the following friends of the family serving as pall-bearers: Kenneth Robinson, who was the last to see Mr Emerson before he rushed into his burning home; Laverne Ross, William Evans, Lawrence Rowe, James Moran and Reginad McDonnell."

(Titusville Herald, Jan 22, 1947, p.2)