General Information
Updated 08/07/2023
This webpage regarding "General Information" about the railroads of the Auburn-area is the equivalent to the kitchen junk-drawer. This webpage contains not only "general" information which may be applicable to one or more railroads servicing the Auburn-area, but it also contains those tidbits which relate to Auburn but fail to identify a specific railroad...so, if we don't know where it belongs, we throw it in the "junk-drawer".
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RAILROAD EMPLOYEE LISTING
(ALPHABETICAL BY SURNAME, FIRST NAME)
(Specific railroad identity uncertain)
Those listed in maroon color died while working the railroad
(ALPHABETICAL BY SURNAME, FIRST NAME)
(Specific railroad identity uncertain)
Those listed in maroon color died while working the railroad
NAME
Achenbach, Henry
Bailey, Samuel
Baldinger, Alvin
Baldinger, Charles
Bartelet, Lewis
Bartelet, Manas M.
Bensinger, William
Berger, Andrew
Berger, Benjamin
Berger, David
Berger, George D.
Berger, Jackson
Berger, John V.
Berger, Levi
Berger, Levi A.
Berger, Pierce
Berger, Rudolph
Berger, Samuel H.
Berger, Walter
Borkey, Adam
Brommer, Charles M.
Bunkle, Alfred F.
Bunkle (Runkle?), Charles
Cavanagh, Peter
Cills, George
Comiskey, Thomas
Conerty, William (72 y.o.)
Connerty, William
Coopenhaver, Frederick
Cummiskey, Thomas
Curry, Francis
Darlington, Thomas R.
Deiter, John E.
Dewalt, Abraham
Dewalt, Edward
Dewalt, George
Dewalt, John A.
Dewalt, William
Diefenderfer, Horace G.
Dolan, Patrick (60 y.o.)
Dolan, Patrick J. (28 y.o.)
Drecher, William
Emrich, George
Fahl, George M.
Fahl, Isaac
Fahl, Isaac
Fahl, John R.
Fahl, John W.
Faust, Alonzo
Faust, Israel
Faust, James
Faust, Mandamy
Faust, William H.
Faust, William R.
Fetch, John
Fisher, Elijah R.
Fisher, Ellsworth
Fitch, Francis J.
Fitch, John J.
Gangloff, George A.
Garven, Michael J.
Goheen, Horace
Haas, Frank
Hainer, George
Heck, Samuel
Herring, Amos
Huntzinger, Charles
Jones, Fulton
Jones, Wellington P.
Kamb, Jeremiah
Ketner, William
Kinsey, Albert
Kramer, Abraham (27 y.o.)
Kramer, Benjamin
Kramer, Charles
Kramer, Jackson
Kramer, Lewis F.
Kramer, Morgan
Laners, Charles
Lawrence, Jeremiah
Long, Benjamin
Mauger, Frank
McKinney, William
Mellon, Henry
Mengel, Charles A.
Mengel, Frank W.
Mengel, Reuben
Mengel, Samuel
Michael, Richard
Michael, William
Miller, Marion
Miller, Ralph
Moyer, Abraham
Moyer, Jackson
Moyer, Morgan
Moyer, Samuel H.
Murdock, Francis (32 y.o.)
Murdock, Francis
Murdock, William
Murphy, Samuel
Ney, George
O'Byrne, Patrick J.
Petrey, Charles
Reinheimer, Edward
Reinheimer, John
Reppert, Henry "Cappy"
Runkle, Charles
Saucer (Sausser?), Abraham
Saucer (Sausser?), John
Saucer (Sausser?), William
Saul, Frank B.
Schmeyer, John
Schoener, Samuel
Schultz, Charles
Schultz, Fred
Schultz, Frederick (41 y.o.)
Schultz, John A.
Schultz, Lewis H.
Seigfried, Jonathan
Siegfried, Augustus
Sowers, Charles
Sowers, Henry
Staller, William H. Jr.
Steffie, William
Stoudt, Jonathan
Strause, Samuel
Walsh, James S.
Walsh, Michael
Walsh, Thomas A.
Wike, William H.
Wildermuth, Charles
Williams, Elmer
Zimmerman, William
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POSITION(S)
Unknown
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Engineer
Brakeman
Unknown
Brakeman
Brakeman
Fireman
Watchman
Unknown
Fireman
Unknown
Brakeman
Brakeman
Engineer
Telegraph Operator
Unknown
Engineer
Fireman, Engine 169
Fireman
Watchman
Engineer
Fireman
Engineer
Watchman
Engineer
Watchman
Fireman
Brakeman
Fireman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Unknown
Fireman
Telegraph Operator
Brakeman
Fireman
Engineer
Fireman
Engineer
Brakeman
Unknown
Brakeman
Brakeman
Watchman
Engineer
Conductor
Brakeman
Fireman
Fireman
Engineer
Brakeman
Brakeman
Car Inspector
Fireman
Fireman
Brakeman
Unknown
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Agent
Unknown
Unknown
Conductor
Conductor
Brakeman
Brakeman
Engineer
Fireman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Track Walker
Brakeman
Brakeman
Watchman
Fireman
Engineer
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Fireman
Fireman
Fireman
Conductor
Brakeman
Engineer
Brakeman
Brakeman
Fireman
Brakeman
Fireman
Repairer
Agent
Repairer
Agent
Brakeman
Brakeman
Fireman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Fireman
Laborer
Laborer
Fireman
Engineer
Baggage Master
Brakeman
Brakeman
Repairer
Brakeman
Brakeman
Station Engineer
Brakeman
Brakeman
Brakeman
Engineer
Fireman
Engineer
Fireman
Repairer
Repairer
Engineer
Repairer
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TIME SPAN
circa 1896
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1892 - 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1880
circa 1877
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1890
Unknown
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890 - 1909
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1860
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890s
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890 - 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1890 - 1891
circa 1890
circa 1881
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1905
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1890
circa 1905
circa 1890
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ACCIDENTS AND WRECKS
DEATHS RELATED TO UNIDENTIFIED RAILROADS
Bartolet, Frank Lewis (04/15/1862 - 07/21/1913) - Frank L. Bartolet, son of Benjamin B. and Freda Wenrich Bartolet, was a married white male whose occupation is listed as a Farmer. According to his death certificate, his cause of death was that of a "railroad accident". (Death Certificate Info: Primary Registration District No. 49, Registration District No. 233, Registered No. 120(4 or 7 - unclear), File No. 70259) Frank's military service during World War One is memorialized within the Auburn Public Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Berger, Frank (Unknown - 1881) "Frank Berger, of Auburn, was run over near Sheafer and Philip's breaker, and had his legs broken in three places. Thirty (rail) cars passed over him. He was taken to Auburn where he resided. Dr. Schultz is attending him, and from last accounts mortification had set in and it is thought the young man must die." - The Pine Grove Herald, November 18, 1881.
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"Frank Berger, the young man, who broke both legs by falling under the cars near Kalmia breaker, had his right leg amputated above the knee, last week, by Dr. C. E. Quail, at Auburn, and is improving." - Pinegrove Herald, December 23, 1881.
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"Frank Berger, the young man, who broke both legs by falling under the cars near Kalmia breaker, had his right leg amputated above the knee, last week, by Dr. C. E. Quail, at Auburn, and is improving." - Pinegrove Herald, December 23, 1881.
Cavanagh, Peter - "Struck Dead Drinking Water. - A startling death took place at Auburn, Schuylkill county, yesterday. Peter Cavanagh, an engineer, stepped on the tank of his engine and drank water. Suddenly he dropped. A gash several inches in length was cut upon his left temple. When picked up, Cavanagh was still living. Before a physician arrived the engineer was dead. It was first supposed that Cavanagh had slipped while standing on the tank and in falling had either broken his neck or been killed by a blow on the temple. Investigation proved that his neck was not broken, and it is generally believed that death was caused by a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Cavanagh was formerly a resident of Palo Alto, but live in Pottsville for a number of years. He was unmarried and bore a more than usually good character." - Reading Daily Eagle, December 17, 1880.
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Cills, George (Unknown - 12/1877) - "Fatal Accident: An accident will probably result fatally occurred at Auburn yesterday. A young man, named Geo. Cills, a fireman on engine 169, while stepping from the engine to the water-column, slipped and fell, his head striking some rails that happened to be piled near the tank. He was at once carried to the nearest house and attended by Dr. Quail, who discovered that the unfortunate man had received two severe gashes on his head, above the left ear, and a fracture of the skull. As he lived at Port Richmond with his father, Cills was taken there yesterday afternoon on the down train. The doctor is of the opinion that his injuries will result fatally. Cills is unmarried." - The Daily Miners' Journal, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa. December 20, 1877
Deter (Unk. - 1879) - "LOCAL MATTERS - Hurt on the Railroad: Tuesday a young man named Deter was very seriously hurt while attempting to board an up coal train between Auburn and Port Clinton. One of his arms was broken and amputation may become necessary." - Weekly Miners Journal, Pottsville, PA. March 14, 1879. (NOTE: While "Deter" isn't listed as a fatality within this news article, based on the statement that amputation may become necessary and that medical treatment was rather primitive in 1879, the chances of this injury developing into a fatality are reasonable and therefore this article is listed as no follow-up article can be located. Additionally, the name "Deter" can be either a first or last name and while it is assumed to be a surname (last name), based on the fact the victim is referred to as a "young man" (boy?), the possibility does exist that Deter is his first name.)
Fahl, Joshua (10/03/1859 - 09/30/1887) - "Joshua Fahl, of Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA., fell from a coal train while passing through Reading, PA, and was instantly killed." (The St. Landry Democrat Newspaper, Opelousas, La. - October 15, 1887).
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Faust, James - (07/13/1860 - 06/28/1909) - The genealogical website findagrave.com lists James Faust's occupation as that of a railroad brakeman and his cause of death as having been run over by a train. James was interred within the Auburn Public Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Gessley, Charles - "FATAL ACCIDENT AT HAMBURG. - A Boatman Killed and a Boy Injured. - Charles Gessley, a boatman, aged 17, was instantly killed while jumping from a coal train at Hamburg last evening. Deceased, in company with a younger brother and a boy named Rubright, boarded the train at Auburn. In getting off Rubright, also sustained severe bruises. Esquire Wolff empanelled a jury, who rendered a verdict according to the facts." - Reading Eagle, March 9, 1879.
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"HAMBURG'S EXCITEMENT. Saturday's Fatal Accident. HAMBURG. March 10. - The young man, Charles Gessley, who was killed in getting off a coal train at Hamburg, was an esteemed and staunch member of the Evangelical Church. His parents reside about one mile north of Hamburg in a collection of houses known as Waterloo. The terrible accident caused much excitement and last Saturday evening is memorable in our local annals, the destruction of a barn by fire occurring at the same time. Young Gessley was picked up on a settee and carried to the depot, where Esquire Oliver J. Wolff empanelled the following jury: Nathan s. Schock, foreman; Dr. P. T. Ryon, Wellington C. Bower, Henry Fink, Jacob Schadel and Jeremiah Kistler. William Gessley, aged about 16, and a boy named Rubright, aged 13, who had been along, were the only persons examined. They testified that they got on the the coal train at Auburn to ride home, and that they did not see their unfortunate companion jump. After they were off and looked around they saw the deceased lying near the track, and upon placing their ears to his face, bound that life was already extinct. Both arms were fractured in a number of places. Dr. Potteiger thinks the neck must be dislocated by the fearful fall. Young Rubright was scratched and cut in the face, but not seriously." - Reading Eagle, March 11, 1879.
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"On Saturday afternoon three boys named respectively Charles and William Gessley and Ambrose Rebright, jumped on a coal train at Auburn and rode as far as Hamburg. At that point they attempted to jump off while the train was running at its usual rate of speed. Charles Gessley slipped and fell upon his head, fracturing his skull. His death resulted instantly. Rubright sustained a fractured arm, beside other injures (injuries); while William Gessley escaped with severe bruises. The boys reside at Waterloo." - Schuylkill County Herald of 1879.
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"HAMBURG'S EXCITEMENT. Saturday's Fatal Accident. HAMBURG. March 10. - The young man, Charles Gessley, who was killed in getting off a coal train at Hamburg, was an esteemed and staunch member of the Evangelical Church. His parents reside about one mile north of Hamburg in a collection of houses known as Waterloo. The terrible accident caused much excitement and last Saturday evening is memorable in our local annals, the destruction of a barn by fire occurring at the same time. Young Gessley was picked up on a settee and carried to the depot, where Esquire Oliver J. Wolff empanelled the following jury: Nathan s. Schock, foreman; Dr. P. T. Ryon, Wellington C. Bower, Henry Fink, Jacob Schadel and Jeremiah Kistler. William Gessley, aged about 16, and a boy named Rubright, aged 13, who had been along, were the only persons examined. They testified that they got on the the coal train at Auburn to ride home, and that they did not see their unfortunate companion jump. After they were off and looked around they saw the deceased lying near the track, and upon placing their ears to his face, bound that life was already extinct. Both arms were fractured in a number of places. Dr. Potteiger thinks the neck must be dislocated by the fearful fall. Young Rubright was scratched and cut in the face, but not seriously." - Reading Eagle, March 11, 1879.
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"On Saturday afternoon three boys named respectively Charles and William Gessley and Ambrose Rebright, jumped on a coal train at Auburn and rode as far as Hamburg. At that point they attempted to jump off while the train was running at its usual rate of speed. Charles Gessley slipped and fell upon his head, fracturing his skull. His death resulted instantly. Rubright sustained a fractured arm, beside other injures (injuries); while William Gessley escaped with severe bruises. The boys reside at Waterloo." - Schuylkill County Herald of 1879.
Heck, John F. (03/13/1848 - 07/26/1877) - John F. Heck was the probable son of Abraham R. and Elizabeth Fisher Heck. He is believed to have been killed on the railroad. No further information is available at this time. John F. Heck is interred within the St. John's Cemetery located north of Pearson Street, Auburn, PA.
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Hoffman, William (06/18/1880 - 06/15/1901) - "Auburn Angles - The body of Wm. Hoffman, son of Frank Hoffman, of Jefferson, aged about 22 years, was picked up by the crew of the Buffalo express, about one mile north of town, on Sunday morning and brought to Auburn, where it was taken to undertaker Christ's place. Mr. Hoffman was seen at Landingville at 9 o'clock on Saturday evening and it is supposed, that his intention was to walk to Auburn and while getting out of the way for a north bound coal train stepped directly in front of a south bound train. Mr. Hoffman had a large number of friends in town, who were greatly shocked upon hearing of his sudden death." - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, PA Friday, June 14, 1901 Page 3. (Mr. Hoffman was employed by the H. S. Albright & Company shoe manufacturer located in Landingville, PA)
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Kinsey, Joanna Victoria Moyer (10/01/1853 - 12/17/1896) The website findagrave.com has a listing for Joanna Victoria Moyer Kinsey which states that she was "killed by a coal train while picking up coal along the tracks. Ironically, her husband (Albert Kinsey) was a coal train conductor." Joanna was born on 10/01/1853 in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of William Hiram Moyer and Sarah Anna Zimmerman Moyer. She was the sister of Alfred Sylvester Moyer, Charles H. Moyer and Clara Tamson Moyer Hoffman. Joanna married Albert Kinsey. They had the following children: Estella Kinsey Shaner, Gertrude Kinsey, Laura Ann Kinsey Wildermuth and Robert Albert Kinsey. She died on 12/17/1896 after having been struck by a train at Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Moyer, Frank (Unk. - Unk.) - "KILLED BY THE CARS - Sad Death of Frank Moyer: On last Monday, Frank Moyer, a ten year old son of Mr. Isaac Moyer, of our borough, in company with two boys of his own age, named Miller, ran away from home. The latter, because they had been whipped for staying out of school, and Frank went with them out of sympathy. By yesterday morning they had reached Auburn. At that place, they attempted to board a passing coal train. The Miller boys were successful, but Frank missed his footing and was caught by a car wheel and one leg frightfully cut and shattered. He was brought to his home and Drs. Bland and Boyer summoned, who dressed the limb and made the poor boy as comfortable as possible. But the wound was so serious a nature that the little fellow sank under it, and died at 5:40 last evening." - *
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"No Blame: Mr. P. J. O'Byrne, station agent at Auburn cannot in any way be responsible for the accident to Frank Moyer, which occurred near his station on Wednesday of this week. The attempt to board a train was made a considerable distance above the station, and upon learning of it, Mr. O'Bryne went immediately to the boy's assistance, brought him down to the station and summoned Dr. Quail, who sewed up the wound. Mr. O'Bryne came with the poor boy to Pottsville, deeply sympathizing with him and aiding him in every manner possible. What a fearful leasson it teaches our men and boys to avoid such a perilous experiment and one so common of getting on and off the cars when in motion." - *
Both photocopies of news articles are archived in the A.A.H.S. files. Both are undated and without source but are believed to have possibly come from the Weekly Miners' Journal newspaper of Schuylkill County.
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"No Blame: Mr. P. J. O'Byrne, station agent at Auburn cannot in any way be responsible for the accident to Frank Moyer, which occurred near his station on Wednesday of this week. The attempt to board a train was made a considerable distance above the station, and upon learning of it, Mr. O'Bryne went immediately to the boy's assistance, brought him down to the station and summoned Dr. Quail, who sewed up the wound. Mr. O'Bryne came with the poor boy to Pottsville, deeply sympathizing with him and aiding him in every manner possible. What a fearful leasson it teaches our men and boys to avoid such a perilous experiment and one so common of getting on and off the cars when in motion." - *
Both photocopies of news articles are archived in the A.A.H.S. files. Both are undated and without source but are believed to have possibly come from the Weekly Miners' Journal newspaper of Schuylkill County.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
PHOTOGRAPHS AND PICTURES
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