Philadelphia and Reading (P & R) Railroad
Updated 10/26/2023
The Philadelphia and Reading (P & R) Railroad officially became established in 1833 for the primary purpose of transporting anthracite coal from central Pennsylvania. Eventually, the railroad station was constructed in the area known as "Scotchman's Lock" in 1842. G. A. Nicola, a railroad superintendent, suggested naming the settlement "Auburn" in tribute to a European town of the same name immortalized a poem by Oliver Goldsmith titled "The Deserted Village". By 1857, the town became officially established, adopting the name of Auburn. The railroad eventually became the Philadelphia & Reading (P & R) Railroad. Out of three rail stations within the Auburn-area, only the "Reading" railroad station building remains (it is now a private residence). The other two stations, the Pennsylvania or "Pennsy" railroad station and the Schuylkill and Susquehanna or "S & S" station were demolished once the buildings became obsolete and subsequently vacant.
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CATEGORIES ON THIS WEBPAGE:
*EMPLOYEE LISTING
*ACCIDENT AND WRECKS
*DEATHS RELATED TO THE PHILADELPHIA AND READING RAILROAD
*OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
*PHOTOGRAPHS AND PICTURES
*EMPLOYEE LISTING
*ACCIDENT AND WRECKS
*DEATHS RELATED TO THE PHILADELPHIA AND READING RAILROAD
*OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
*PHOTOGRAPHS AND PICTURES
EMPLOYEE LISTING
(ALPHABETICAL BY SURNAME, FIRST NAME)
(ALPHABETICAL BY SURNAME, FIRST NAME)
NAME
AUMAN, George
BENSINGER, Charles
BERGER, William F.
BRENSINGER, Walter
DEWALD, Samuel
DISSINGER, John G. Jr.
ECKART, Olin
ERNST, Newton
FITCH, Thomas
FITZPATRICK, Thomas
FRYER, Ben
GATELY, Thomas M.
HAIN, B. Frank
HEMMER, Frank Andrew
HUNTZINGER, Henry H.
KIMMEL, Harry
KISSINGER, William H.
KLOCK, Horace B.
KOHLER, (FNU)
KRAMER, Jacob
KRAMER, Lewis
KRAMER, Samuel
LAMP, Forest
LAMP, John
LEONHARD, Charles
LINDERMUTH, Joseph H.
(LNU - Possibly Bensinger
or Young), Charles LONG, Blossie "Nepps"
LONG, Henry
LUTZ, Willoughby
McALLISTER, David
McALLISTER, David
McATEE, Thomas
MECK, James
MENGEL, Nathan
METZ, (Daniel or
David)"Cracker" METZ, William
MILLER, Harry "Kansas"
MOYER, William F.
NICOLA, G. A.
PETRY, William.
RAUSH, James "Geedy"
REBER, Samuel
REIDER, John
SANTELLA, Andy
SCHROEDER, Jacob J.
SCHULTZ, Earl A.
TYNAN, William
WELSH, Thomas J.
WENRICH, Will
WILDERMUTH, Abraham
WILLIAMS, "Buck"
YOUNG, Charles
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POSITION(S)
Section Foreman
Baggagemaster
Flagman/Hind Brakeman
Railroad Crew
Possible Brakeman/Conductor/ Engineer or Fireman
Fireman
Railroad Crew
Brakeman
Engineer
Engineer
Telegrapher
Agent
Unknown
Unknown
Brakeman
Unknown
Unknown
Fireman
Relief Engineer
Snow removal/wood hauler
Engineer
Brakeman
Unknown
Unknown
Railroad Crew/Repairman
Engineer
Ticket Agent
Railroad Crew
Section Foreman
Ticket Agent
Brakeman
Roundhouse laborer
Engineer
Fireman
Bridge building and repair
Railroad Crew
Brakeman
Railroad Crew
Engineer
Superintendent
Railroad Crew
Brakeman; later Engineer
Engineer
Brakeman
Railroad Crew
Engineer
Conductor
Night Telegraph Operator
Fireman
Railroad Crew
Conductor
Hind Brakeman
Unknown
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TIME SPAN
circa 1905
circa 1896
circa 1890 - 1907
circa 1920s
prior to 1910
circa 1911
circa 1920s
circa 1903 - 1906
circa 1890s - 1905
circa 1892
1948-1963
c. 1905
circa 1882
c. 1900 - 1930
Unknown
Unknown
circa 1896
circa 1874
Unknown
Unknown
pre-1890
Unknown
circa 1909
circa 1909
circa 1910s - 1916
Unknown
circa 1920s
circa 1920s
circa 1920s
circa 1896
circa 1879
circa 1896
circa 1890
circa 1884
Unknown
circa 1920s
circa 1896
circa 1920s
circa 1890-1902
circa 1850s
circa 1890-1920s
1862 - 1877
circa 1884
circa 1886
circa 1920s
circa 1908
circa 1890s
circa 1903
circa 1892
circa 1920s
circa 1890
Unknown
circa 1918
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ACCIDENTS AND WRECKS
A news snippet from an undated and unidentified source states "...on Philadelphia & Reading, near Auburn, Pa., a freight train ran into the rear of a preceding freight, making a bad wreck. Four trainmen injured."
"Narrow Escape from a Tremendous Smash-up - Stupid Brakeman. - Thursday night, Aug 7, through the singular behavior of a brakeman on a coal train, Auburn came near being the scene of one of the biggest smash-ups in the history of the Reading Railroad. About ten o'clock an empty coal train stopped at Auburn and the front brakeman was sent ahead to stop all down trains. Instead of attending to his duty, this fellow went up the road some distance and went to sleep on the down track. His slumbers were broken by the rumbling of a down train of heavily loaded cars and he had only time to roll from the track before the train thundered by, missing him only about four feet. After the train has partially passed him he managed to give the signal to stop. The engineer of the down train also saw the signal ahead in time to stop his engine and prevent a collision. We are told there was only a distance of about thirty feet between the two engines when the down train was stopped. This train was going at a pretty good rate of speed, and a collision would have been followed by a tremendous smash-up." - Undated and unidentified source.
"Smash Up of Coal Cars. A dozen loaded coal cars were wrecked and the tracks torn up at Auburn on the Reading Railroad early Tuesday morning. The train was coming down the road and was passing over a patent switch when the cars parted. The locomotive and twenty-five cars kept the main track but the others jumped the track and caused a big smash up." - Undated and unidentified source.
"Deviltry. The accident that occurred to the passenger train on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad below Auburn on Monday evening is considered by railroad men to have been the work of some person or persons who desired to wreck the train. Railroad officials state that the switch which was found turned has not been used since Tuesday last, and that since that time no cars had passed over it into the siding. This is the third attempt that has been made at this place to wreck a train. It is generally believed that the person who turned the switch is no novice, but who it was has not yet been discovered. No clue to his identification has been discovered, and probably the only way to ensnare such a wretch is to watch for him closely. When caught, hanging would be too good for such a worthless and heartless scoundrel." - Undated and unidentified source.
"Narrow Escape from a Tremendous Smash-up - Stupid Brakeman. - Thursday night, Aug 7, through the singular behavior of a brakeman on a coal train, Auburn came near being the scene of one of the biggest smash-ups in the history of the Reading Railroad. About ten o'clock an empty coal train stopped at Auburn and the front brakeman was sent ahead to stop all down trains. Instead of attending to his duty, this fellow went up the road some distance and went to sleep on the down track. His slumbers were broken by the rumbling of a down train of heavily loaded cars and he had only time to roll from the track before the train thundered by, missing him only about four feet. After the train has partially passed him he managed to give the signal to stop. The engineer of the down train also saw the signal ahead in time to stop his engine and prevent a collision. We are told there was only a distance of about thirty feet between the two engines when the down train was stopped. This train was going at a pretty good rate of speed, and a collision would have been followed by a tremendous smash-up." - Undated and unidentified source.
"Smash Up of Coal Cars. A dozen loaded coal cars were wrecked and the tracks torn up at Auburn on the Reading Railroad early Tuesday morning. The train was coming down the road and was passing over a patent switch when the cars parted. The locomotive and twenty-five cars kept the main track but the others jumped the track and caused a big smash up." - Undated and unidentified source.
"Deviltry. The accident that occurred to the passenger train on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad below Auburn on Monday evening is considered by railroad men to have been the work of some person or persons who desired to wreck the train. Railroad officials state that the switch which was found turned has not been used since Tuesday last, and that since that time no cars had passed over it into the siding. This is the third attempt that has been made at this place to wreck a train. It is generally believed that the person who turned the switch is no novice, but who it was has not yet been discovered. No clue to his identification has been discovered, and probably the only way to ensnare such a wretch is to watch for him closely. When caught, hanging would be too good for such a worthless and heartless scoundrel." - Undated and unidentified source.
DEATHS RELATED TO
THE PHILADELPHIA & READING RAILROAD
THE PHILADELPHIA & READING RAILROAD
Berger, William F. (03/12/1870 - 02/08/1907) - An undated news article from an unidentified source is headlined "WM. BERGER DIED OF HIS INJURIES" and reads "William F. Berger, aged 37 years, a flagman or hind brakeman employed on the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, a resident of Cressona, was fatally injured yesterday morning. His train was entering a siding at Tremont about 4 o'clock, when another train collided with the rear of it. Mr. Berger was caught and his leg was crushed close to his body. The injured man was brought to the Pottsville Hospital as soon as possible, but it was seen upon his admittance that there was no hopes of his recovery. His condition was so weak that no attempt was made to amputate the injured member. He died at that institution last evening at about 8:30 o'clock. His body was removed to his late home. The widow and one son, 14 years of age, survive him. He originally came from Auburn. He was among the S. & S. railroaders who were transferred to Cressona several years ago. He was identified with the Auburn Jo. (Jr.) O.U.A.M. and I.O.O.F. and the Cresonna Red Men."
************************************** A second undated and non-sourced news article was discovered which reads "The funeral of William F. Berger will take place from his home, in Cressona, on Wednesday afternoon. Services will begin at the house promptly at 12:30 o'clock and will be brief. From there the funeral will proceed to the St. Marks Reformed church, were services will be conducted in the German and English languages. Rev. C. E. Bartholomew will conduct the service. From the church the funeral will proceed to the P. & R. station, where a special train of two cars will take them to Auburn, where interment will take place. The train leaves at 2:15 o'clock. Employes (employees) of the company and relatives of the deceased will have free transportation, other must pay. Persons who attend the interment at Auburn can return with the train, which leaves Auburn at 5:10. There is a later train for those who miss or do not care to take this train. Employes (employees) are urged to procure their tickets from W. b. Satterlee, assistant train master, before Wednesday noon. A large attendance is anticipated. Friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral. Deceased was a member of several fraternal organizations and a member of the consistory of the Reformed church at Cressona." |
According to a website findagrave.com, the following information is available regarding William F. Berger: William F. Berger was born March12, 1870 in Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Levi A. Berger and Catharine Anna Nagle Berger. He was a brother to Charles H. Berger, Emma R. Berger Staller, Ida E. Berger, Lucy Ann Berger and Milton L. Berger. He was the husband of Sallie Agnes Emerich Berger and the father of Foster W. Berger. His date of death is listed as February 8, 1907 (which would have made his almost 37 years old - 36 years, 10 months and 26 days). His place of death is listed as Pottsville due to his expiring from his injuries at the hospital, but he was fatally injured in the accident at Tremont and he was residing in Cressona prior to his death.
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Brobst, Milton (1875 - 12/10/1908) "News Around Home - Auburn was very rudely shocked on Thursday evening at the sad and sudden death of one of its most respected citizens, Milton Brobst, who after finishing a hard days work on the wood tract near Stony Creek, started with his fellow workman, Lyman Zimmerman, to walk up to Auburn on the P. & R. R. R. They were walking along together, Mr. Zimmerman on the path side of the tracks, & Mr. Brobst on the sill-heads. A south-bound coal train on the opposite track, sufficient to drown the sound of the evening freight due in Auburn about 5:45, and which was traveling at the rate of about 25 miles an hour, when suddenly it struck Mr. Brobst, who was a little in the rear and to the side of Mr. Zimmerman, tossing him to the side and down over the bank, killing him instantly. The engineer felt the jar but had not noticed a man on the track, and immediately brought his train to a stop for he thought he saw an object go over the bank, and Mr. Zimmerman, who was scared by the sudden approach of the train in his rear, also looked around for his partner and saw his body tossed, aside and down over the bank. He rushed to his side but life was extinct, and the lifeless body was taken into the caboose and brought to Auburn, where the sad news was broken to his wife and two boys." - Pinegrove Herald, Pine Grove, PA Friday, December 11, 1908 Page 1.
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Cooper, William G. - (05/20/1845 - 11/08/1880) "WHO IS W. G. COOPER? A man, Supposed To Have The Above Name, Killed Near Auburn Today. - POTTSVILLE. Nov. 8. - While the up train on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad due here at twelve o'clock was approaching Auburn station this morning, a passenger fell from a platform and was instantly killed. The unfortunate man had a ticket for Frackville, and is supposed to be for W. G. Cooper, of Reading." - Reading Daily Eagle, November 8, 1880.
************************************** "KILLED AT AUBURN. Additional Details of the Death of Cooper. - The Pottsville Journal this morning says: "an accident of a frightful nature happened on the railroad near Auburn, yesterday. Near Reading, a man named W. G. Cooper, accompanied by a friend, boarded the train which arrived here at 12:15. Cooper and his companion left the train at Port Clinton and did not get on board until just as the train was about to pull out of the depot. His companion remained at Port Clinton. Cooper was under the influence of liquor, and would not remain in the car, but was determined to occupy one of the platforms. Leaving a bundle in a seat in the car, he went outside, and shortly afterward, either fell or jumped off the train. Some of the passengers are of the opinion that they heard one or more pistol shots just before the unfortunate man was missed. In falling, his head was thrown across the rail, and a moment later was severed from the body. On his person was found a ticket from Port Clinton to Frackville. An inquest was held at Auburn yesterday afternoon, and a verdict of accidental death returned." - Reading Daily Eagle, November 9, 1880. ************************************** "COOPER'S BODY BROUGHT TO READING. - The body of W. G. Cooper, who was killed at Auburn, Schuylkill county, has been received by undertaker Henninger. It will be shipped to deceased's father, residing at Ephrata. Cooper has a wife and child below the Black Bear in Exeter township, and he is the same person who was bound over last week for the maintenance of his family. The wife and step daughter are represented to be in very poor circumstances." - |
According to findagrave.com, William G. Cooper was born May 20, 1845. He was the son of Isaac Cooper and Rebecca Geyer Cooper. He was a brother of Henry C. Cooper, Lucy A. Cooper Whitmyer & Martin G. Cooper. He died in November, 1880 and was interred in the Brownstown Evangelical Cemetery, Brownstown, Lancaster Co., PA.
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Dissinger, John G. Jr. (11/06/1885 - 05/23/1911) - "FIREMAN MEETS INSTANT DEATH. JOHN G. DISSINGER RUN DOWN BY EXPRESS. John G. Dissinger of Allentown, fireman on the locomotive of one of the Perkiomen crews running out of East Penn Junction, was instantly killed on Saturday at noon at the coal chutes near Pike Street, Reading.
While the engine was being coaled fro the return to Allentown Dissinger stepped off, failing to notice the approach of the Williamsport express. Engineer Robert Long of Perkiomen engine, saw the express coming and called out to Dissinger to get off the track, but owing to the noise caused by the steam blowing off he failed to hear him. A few seconds later the engine of the express struck the young fireman and hurled him between the north and south bound tracks. The express was running probably 60 miles and hour when the engine struck the man, but fortunately he was not thrown under the wheels of the train nor was the body mangled. Death was instantaneous. The crew of the express train did not see him. Fireman Dissinger was a native of Cressona, but later lived at Auburn. He had been employed at Allentown for some time, running over the Perkiomen road. He was a single man 23 years old. Deceased was a son of John and Lizzie Dissinger of Auburn." ************************************** John G. Dissinger Jr. was born on 11/06/1885 in Cressona, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of John G. Dissinger Sr. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" G. Hummel Dissinger. He was a brother of Annie R. Dissinger Kerschner, Mitchell C. Dissinger, Nora Mae Dissinger Berger and Raymond Milton Dissinger. John died in November, 1885 while working as a Fireman on a Philadelphia and Reading Railroad locomotive in Reading, Berks County, PA. He was interred within the Auburn Cemetery, Mill Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. However, the details of John's life, and death, aren't exactly set in stone. John's year of birth is engraved on his grave marker as being 1885, while his death certificate (and obituary...which may have been based on information from his death certificate) places his year of birth as 1888. John's date of death was engraved in his grave marker as being May 26th (Friday); his obituary stated it was on (May 27th) Saturday; and his death certificate stated it was May 28th (Sunday). Even his cause of death is obscured...his death certificate states he was "Killed on P & R Road by falling from tank of his engine - killed by P & R Passinger train - accident"'; while his obituary reads that he had "stepped off" the engine into the path of the approaching train which struck him. How those two incidents can vary so greatly is uncertain. What is certain is that he died while working for the Philadephia and Reading Railroad. |
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Ernst, Newton (06/01/1888 - 04/28/1906) - "INSTANTLY KILLED BY TRAIN AT AUBURN: Newton Ernst, of Palo Alto, a Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company main line brakeman, was instantly killed at Auburn late Saturday night by a south bound freight train. Both legs and an arm were cut off and his head and body were badly mutilated. Just how the accident occurred is not known. His train was coming north and stopped at Auburn to take water. It is believed that Ernst was walking from the rear to the forward end of his train and that, failing to observe the approach of the south bound freight, he was run down and ground to death by the latter. The body was brought to Palo Alto on the Buffalo train yesterday morning. Upon arrival in town, the body was taken in charge by Undertaker T. D. Bergen. Ernst attended the Palo Alto schools until a few years ago, when he obtained work on the railroad. He was highly esteemed by a host of friends and was known always to attend faithfully to his work." - April 30, 1906 (source of news article not cited but believed to probably have come from the Miners' Journal newspaper of Schuylkill County).
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According to the website findagrave.com Newton H. Ernst was born on June 1, 1888 in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., PA. He was the son of James Monroe Ernst (1865-1940) and Clara Elizabeth Fisher Ernst (1858-1934). He was a half-brother to Sadie M. Ernst Nunemacher (1891-1977). His date of death is listed as April 28, 1906, which is a Sunday but could be considered "late Saturday night" as cited in the news article above. He was residing at Palo Alto, Schuylkill Co., PA prior to his death. His interment is listed as being within the "Cressona Cemetery", Cressona, Schuylkill Co., PA. An anonymous note states he "Died from being run over by a train per his death certificate #35832".
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According to the website findagrave.com Newton H. Ernst was born on June 1, 1888 in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., PA. He was the son of James Monroe Ernst (1865-1940) and Clara Elizabeth Fisher Ernst (1858-1934). He was a half-brother to Sadie M. Ernst Nunemacher (1891-1977). His date of death is listed as April 28, 1906, which is a Sunday but could be considered "late Saturday night" as cited in the news article above. He was residing at Palo Alto, Schuylkill Co., PA prior to his death. His interment is listed as being within the "Cressona Cemetery", Cressona, Schuylkill Co., PA. An anonymous note states he "Died from being run over by a train per his death certificate #35832".
Fitzpatrick, Thomas (Unk. - 10/1892) - A news article addressing a train accident states that the Shamokin express wrecked on the main line of the Philadelphia and Reading tracks at the Flat Rock dam, on the west bank of the Schuylkill river, three quarters of a mile north of the west Manayunk tunnel. The article states seven people were killed to include Thomas Fitzpatrick, Auburn, PA, engineer of the express train.. (Freeland Tribune, October 27, 1892)
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Hain, B. Frank (Unk. - 12/04/1882) - "Local Shorts - B. Frank Hain, living near Auburn, had his head cut off near the Philadelphia and Reading depot at Reading on Monday. He was engaged in coupling cars when an engineer of another shifting train threw a number of cars against those Hain was coupling. He was not prepared for this, and was knocked down, falling on the rails. The first wheel cut off his head, the second his left arm and the third rested on his shoulder. Mr. Hain is a brother of Mrs. Washington Huber, of this borough, who attended the funeral on Wednesday." - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, PA Friday December 8, 1882 Page 3.
Hain, George(Unknown - 10/18/1903) - "THREW HIMSELF BEFORE ENGINE: George Hain, of Milton, Laid His Head on the Rail and Smiled at the Engineer as He Died. - The quiet little town of Auburn was the scene of a desperate suicide yesterday afternoon when George Hain, of Milton, threw himself in front of P. & R. passenger train No. 8 and was ground to pieces. The train, which was in charge of Conductor Charles Huff, Engineer Richard Sharp and Fireman Albert E. Miller, left the Pottsville station at 1:50 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was just approaching the site of the new station, which is being erected at Auburn, when Hain who was evidently demented, stepped from behind a large coal car which was standing on a siding. He knelt down and placed his neck upon the west rail and in a moment more was ushered into eternity. He was an exceptionally good looking man of middle age, with black hair and mustache neatly trimmed. He was about 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed about 145 pounds. He wore good clothes and appeared to be both happy and prosperous. He was seen hanging about the Auburn station during the morning, and several times asked the station agent where he could find a drug store. He left presumably to get some medicine and was not seen again until after committing the terrible deed. While loitering about the town he also asked several boys what time there would be a train along, but they could not tell him. During a conversation he held with a tramp near the station, he took a chew of tobacco from a plug which he carried and while doing so remarked that that was the last anyone would ever see him take. He appeared to be a trifle nervous and acted suspiciously, notwithstanding the fact that he said nothing about self destruction, although several remarks made by him were significant in view of consequent happenings. Coroner A. L. Gillars was notified of the accident and at once went to Auburn to investigate the affair. He found an abundance of evidence that the man had wilfully (willfully) suicided, and after summoning a jury, he held an inquest at the P. & R. depot last evening upon the arrival of the 9:50 train which was in charge of the same crew, above-mentioned. Engineer Sharp in testifying before the jury stated his train was approaching Auburn at a moderate rate of speed, when Hain stepped from behind the car and knelt over the rail. He applied the air brakes but before the train could be stopped the wheels of the engine had passed over the suicide's body. His head and both arms were severed from the trunk and the chest was horribly crushed. He also said that the man had given him a terrible look, as he lay down in front of the train and from his actions had been undoubtedly insane. There were no marks upon his clothing or effects from which his identity could be established, but from the initials G. H. which were tatooed (tattooed) upon his right arm, and from a railroad ticket which was found in his pocket, the P. & R. officials at Reading finally established his identity. The ticket was from Allentown to Lewisburg, and was accompanied by an excess check which had been given him by the conductor of a train upon which he had sent a dog to his home at Milton. Upon the back of the latter he had scribbled "good bye all - forgive every one - I am crazy". He also had $9 in paper money in his pocket, and a brief note addressed to "mother" and relating to 25 cents worth of stamps and a check which was to have been sent somewhere. The body was prepared for burial by a local undertaker and sent to the almshouse morgue, where it awaits the wishes of his relatives. It will be buried today if not claimed by them." - Unidentified news article source dated October 19, 1903.
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"Threw Himself in Front of Train. - Geo. Hain of Milton, aged 40 years, a lunatic, threw himself in front of a P. & R. express train at Auburn on Sunday afternoon and was instantly killed. Papers found on his body show the suicide to have been premeditated. The train was N0. 8 and Engineer Richard Sharp and Conductor Charley Hoff were in charge. Coroner Gillars investigated and his jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts, exonerating the train crew. It has been Engineer Sharp's harrowing experience to have seen a total of twenty men swept into eternity by his locomotive. Three of these were deliberate suicides. In each case Engineer Sharp did everything possible to avert an accident." - An excerpt of a news article from an unidentified source tentatively dated October 1903.
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"Threw Himself in Front of Train. - Geo. Hain of Milton, aged 40 years, a lunatic, threw himself in front of a P. & R. express train at Auburn on Sunday afternoon and was instantly killed. Papers found on his body show the suicide to have been premeditated. The train was N0. 8 and Engineer Richard Sharp and Conductor Charley Hoff were in charge. Coroner Gillars investigated and his jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts, exonerating the train crew. It has been Engineer Sharp's harrowing experience to have seen a total of twenty men swept into eternity by his locomotive. Three of these were deliberate suicides. In each case Engineer Sharp did everything possible to avert an accident." - An excerpt of a news article from an unidentified source tentatively dated October 1903.
Klock, Horace B. (07/26/1844 - 03/19/1874) - Sergeant; Company F; 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; served 02/19/1864 or 02/19/1865 (conflicting records) until 07/14/1865. His brother Lt. William Augustus Klock also served during the Civil War and was Wounded In Action (listed below).
Horace was born on 07/26/1844. He was the son of David K. Klock and Anna Eliza (Elizabeth?) Burke Klock. He was a brother of Charles A. Klock, Emma L. Klock Killinger, Matilda V. Klock Moyer and William Augustus Klock (listed below). According to military records, Horace was 5'11" and his civilian occupation was that of a fireman. He was killed on the Philadelphia and Reading (P & R) railroad in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania (presumably while in that company's employment). The website findagrave. com lists that Horace died on 03/19/1874 by stating that he was "Killed on P & R Railroad in Schuylkill Haven: "legs cut off under coal train while shifting at Mine Hill Crossing". Horace was interred in the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Kramer, Franklin (Unk. - 01/18/1896) - "BOY KILLED UP THE ROAD - A boy (later identified by his father Henry Kramer as Franklin Kramer) aged about 16, supposed to be from Schuylkill Haven (Conner's Crossing), jumped off the caboose of a south bound P. & R. coal train at Auburn Saturday evening. Just as he alighted, the up express, leaving Reading at 5:55 p.m., came along and struck the lad. The body was horribly mangled and up to 2 o'clock this morning had not been identified. The mangled remains were found by several persons who were walking along the track. The rear brakeman of the coal train did not know the boy was on the caboose, and it was some time after the accident before it was known." - Reading Eagle, Reading, PA Sunday, January 19, 1896 Page 1. (A later article in the same paper stated his family had formerly lived in Auburn, he worked at Berger's Knitting Mill with his father and the boy was on his way to his former home when he met his death.)
Lamp, John (09/13/1887 - 09/16/1909) - "BROTHERS INJURED ON RAILROAD - Accidents Prove Fatal to One Brother, Slight To Other. Within a short space of time, two brothers, early yesterday morning, received injuries on the P. & R. Railway at Palo Alto and both were taken to the Pottsville hospital, the first one's injuries proving fatal a few hours later. The first accident occurred to John Lamp, 23 years old, of Auburn, but who boarded in Pottsville on Mauch Chunk street. He was caught between the bumpers of cars being shifted and both legs were badly crushed below the knees. He was removed to the hospital where it was found that his condition was too critical for him to be operated on and he died about 11 a.m. He was unmarried. His body was removed to his home at Auburn. When the news of the accident was conveyed to his brother, Forest Lamp, who also was employed on the railroad, he fainted from the shock and fell backwards, badly spraining his ankle. He, too, was taken to the Pottsville hospital but his injuries are not serious." - (Excerpt of a news article but the source was not shown). A subsequent article from Pottsville, PA dated Monday, September 20, 1909 states that "Lamp's death was due to the negligence of William Linkhorst, flagman of engine 927, and conductor George R. Linn, of the same train."
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Leonhard, Charles (06/13/1877 - 04/25/1916) - Charles Leonhard was born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Richard Leonhard and Amelia Mayberry Leonhard; and a brother of Claude Franklin Leonhard, John Herbert Leonhard and Mary Ann Leonhard Millard. He was the (first) husband of Elva "Elvie" Pearl Berger Leonhard Kilmer. He served as a Private in Company G of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Spanish American War. He was employed as a railroad repairman for the Reading Railroad. His cause of death is listed as having been struck by a train while performing his job. Charles Leonhard was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Meck, James ( ) - "RAILROAD ACCIDENT. - Yesterday afternoon on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna branch of the P. & R., near Dauphin, a freight train ran into a wood train with most disastrous results. James Meck, a resident of Auburn, was killed outright, and Samuel Reber, engineer, was badly injured. The wreck caused a bad blockade of several hours and the passenger train due her at 5:20 was several hours late. The death of Mr. Meck has shed a gloom over his many friends in Auburn." - December 23, 1884.
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Moyer, William F. (01/11/1852 - 07/05/1902) - "W. S. (should have been "F.") Moyer, of Auburn, a locomotive engineer employed by the P. & R. R. W. Co., was fatally injured at Good Spring colliery, about 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon. He was running the Brookside miners' train, the accident taking place on the branch running into Good Spring colliery. There was a slight mishap to the engine on the way in to the colliery, and the engineer lost about fifteen minutes in making the necessary repairs. He was backing out with his train at high speed, when coming to a heavy curve, the air brakes were suddenly applied, and instantly the engine and tender left the track, the latter toppling over on its side. Moyer and his fireman jumped for their lives, the latter escaping uninjured. Moyer was caught, however, about the hips and crushed. He was held fast several hours until released by the Pinegrove wreck crew. He was conscious all the while the work was going on, and himself gave directions to the men. He suffered great agony, however, and expired at Tremont about 5 o'clock in a special car which had been proved (provided?) to take him home. Moyer was about 50 years of age, and leave a wife and several children." - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, Pa. July 11, 1902.
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Reider, John - (Unk. - 1886) - "Died of Lock Jaw: John Reider, P. & R. brakeman, who was injured at Auburn and had one of his feet amputated, died at his home at Shoemakersville of lock-jaw." - Weekly Miner's Journal, Friday, November 2, 1886. (Editor's note: Tetanus causes “lockjaw” and spasms or paralysis of muscles in the body. Approx. two in ten people who get tetanus will die from it. People with tetanus may spend weeks in intensive care and frequently need to be on a ventilator.)
Schroeder, Jacob J. - (also spelled Schrader or Schroder)
Musician, Wellington Jones’ Indepen-dent Co. D.; served from 09/15/1862 to 07/09/1863; also Musician, Co. F; 116th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and/or Co. K, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; served from 02/01/1864 or 02/19/1864 (conflicting records) to 07/14/1865; captured at Reams Station, Virginia on 08/25/1864 and was held as a Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) until March of 1865. Jacob was born in Pennsylvania on 01/21/1847. He was the son of Reuben Schroeder and Matilda Bowen Schroeder. He was a brother of Charles Schroeder and John F. Schroeder. He married Sarah Wildermuth Schroeder. They had the following children: Abraham Lincoln Schroeder, Carrie M. Schroeder Ebling and John A. Schroeder. Jacob's military record indicates that he was 5’5” with blue eyes and auburn hair. His civilian occupations were listed as those of a (canal) boatman and a locomotive engineer. He died while residing in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on 08/07/1908. Jacob was employed by the Philadelphia and Reading (P & R) Railroad company as a locomotive engineer when he was scalded to death in a train wreck near Williamstown, PA. He was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Sowers, Jermiah
(03/07/1869 - 01/28/1916) - Son of John and Esther "Hettie" Becker Sowers. Husband of Emma A. Folk Sowers. The genealogical website findagrave.com states that Jermiah died in transit to St. Timothy's Hospital after having been "run over by a train of the P & R Railroad near Conshohocken, PA." Jermiah is interred within the Auburn Public Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, PA. |
Tynan, William (Unk. - 12/04/1903) - A news article from an unidentified source dated December 5, 1903 is headlined "RUN DOWN BY ENGINE 1054 - Operator William Tynan at Stony Creek Run Down and Killed on the Rail.". The news article reads "William Tynan, employed as night operator at the P. & R. telegraph station at Stony Creek, two miles below Auburn was instantly killed about 6:10 o'clock last evening. He had just gone on duty a short while prior to the accident and had left the station to hand orders to the engineer of a north bound coal train and was returning to the platform when he was struck by the engine of an extra section of coal train No. 1054, bound from the Palo Alto yard to Port Richmond. He was knocked down by the engine and before the engineer could bring the train to a stand still he had been mangled in a terrible manner. His remains were taken into the station and later removed to his home. He was about 45 years of age and married."
Welsh, Thomas J. (Unk. - 1892) - A news article addressing a train accident states that the Shamokin express wrecked on the main line of the Philadelphia and Reading tracks at the Flat Rock dam, on the west bank of the Schuylkill river, three quarters of a mile north of the west Manayunk tunnel. The article states seven people were killed to include Thomas J. Welsh, Auburn, PA, fireman of the express train. (Freeland Tribune, October 27, 1892)
************************************************** "The Keystone State. Killed in a Railroad Smashup. Philadelphia, Oct. 24.--Four passengers, two trainmen and a newsboy were killed and nearly twenty-five persons injured in the wreck of the Shamokin express. The accident occurred at 9:20 o'clock on the main line of the Philadelphia and Reading road at Flat Rock dam, on the west bank of the Schuylkill river, three-quarters of a mile north of the west Manayunk tunnel. It was caused by the agent at Pencoyd station allowing a train of empty coal cars, drawn by locomotive No. 538, to leave the siding and proceed northward, instead of holding it until the south bound express, which was using the north bound track (the south-bound track being occupied), had passed. The wreck took fire, but was extinguished by the Manayunk fire department after some time. The injured were taken to St. Timothy's hospital, Roxborough. A list of the dead is James T. Boynton, thirty years, of Reading; Margaret Devine, sixty years, of Minersville; David S. Herr, fifty-nine years, of Harrisburg, member of the legislature from Dauphin county and a Republican candidate for re-election from the Harrisburg district; Jacob Kilrain, thirty-six years, of Tamaqua, fireman on freight train; John Steiff, sixteen years, 304 South Sixth street, Reading, newsboy on express; a woman twenty-one years old, supposed to be Annie Atkinson, of Minersville; Thomas J. Welsh, thirty-six years, of Auburn, Pa., fireman on express. The fatally injured are Thomas Fitzpatrick, Auburn, Pa., engineer of express; S. D. Rhodes, passenger, Phoenixville." Lehighton Press; Births, Marriages and Deaths; 1892 - 1893 ************************************** (Note: the website findagrave.com has no listing for this individual as having been interred within Schuylkill County, PA) |
Williams, "Buck" (Unk. - Unk.) - "A Brakeman Squeezed: "Buck" Williams, a hind brakeman on the P. & R. coal train, was squeezed on the chest while making a coupling at Auburn last evening. His condition is serious. Dr. McQuail (misspelled - "Quail") was called and prescribed after which the injured man was sent to his home at Hamburg. Williams is well known in the Palo Alto yards." (NOTE: While this article does not indicate an immediate fatality, his condition grading of "serious" and the nature of his injury being a chest trauma does allow for a possibility of a delayed death from this incident, so the article is included as no follow-up information can be found regarding the incident.)
Young, Charles -
(08/05/1859 - 12/02/1918) Born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Son of Frederick Young and Sarah Schaffer Young. Charles had the following siblings: Annie Young Hawkins Kemmerling; Frank S. Young, James Young and William S. Young. Charles married Kate Stoudt Young. They had the following children: Charles R. Young, Harry Walter Young and Willie D. Young. An entry from the website findagrave.com reads "Crushed to death in accident on P + R railroad near Myerstown" and his place of death is listed as being in Jackson Township, Lebanon County, PA. Charles is interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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BULLET POINTS:
*The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was established in 1833 to transport
anthracite coal from Central Pennsylvania to market ports,
especially Philadelphia.
*The P & R station was built in 1842 in the area then-known as "Scotchman's Lock"
*The station plans called for a 21' x 46' brick building trimmed in granite.
*The P & R Railroad expanded into coal, iron, canal transportation, shipbuilding
and was one of the first conglomerates in the United States.
*At one point, the P & R Railroad was the largest corporation in the world.
*Life on the railroad was fraught with danger. The number of accidents, injuries,
fatalities and train-wrecks on just the P & R railroad related to only the Auburn-
area is a stunningly sober fact of life.
*Due to government regulations regarding monopolies, the P & R railroad even-
tually assumed the operating name of the "Reading Company".
*The trucking industry decreased shipping income for the railroad while the avail-
ability of automobiles and public transportation greatly decreased the railroads
passenger service income.
*The Reading Company filed for bankruptcy in 1971.
*The Reading Company's assets were absorbed into the CONRAIL system in 1976.
*The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was established in 1833 to transport
anthracite coal from Central Pennsylvania to market ports,
especially Philadelphia.
*The P & R station was built in 1842 in the area then-known as "Scotchman's Lock"
*The station plans called for a 21' x 46' brick building trimmed in granite.
*The P & R Railroad expanded into coal, iron, canal transportation, shipbuilding
and was one of the first conglomerates in the United States.
*At one point, the P & R Railroad was the largest corporation in the world.
*Life on the railroad was fraught with danger. The number of accidents, injuries,
fatalities and train-wrecks on just the P & R railroad related to only the Auburn-
area is a stunningly sober fact of life.
*Due to government regulations regarding monopolies, the P & R railroad even-
tually assumed the operating name of the "Reading Company".
*The trucking industry decreased shipping income for the railroad while the avail-
ability of automobiles and public transportation greatly decreased the railroads
passenger service income.
*The Reading Company filed for bankruptcy in 1971.
*The Reading Company's assets were absorbed into the CONRAIL system in 1976.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST:
"The P. & R. R. W. Co. has awarded to I. H. Becker, of Schuylkill Haven, the contract for the erection of a new passenger station at Auburn to be completed during the fall. It will be a brick structure, 21 by 46 feet, with slate roof projecting on one side for the protection of the passengers. The walls will be of red, brick, trimmed with granite." - Undated and unidentified source.
"The new P. & R. station at Auburn has been opened. All of the offices have been removed to the new building which is a big improvement upon the old one, which will be used for freight and storehouse purposes." - Undated and unidentified source.
"TO STORE ENGINES FOR WINTER. The Atlantic City type of engines, which did such excellent service on the Atlantic City division during the past summer, are now coming to Reading. They are Nos. 335, 335, 336, 337, 338, and 339. They are to be stored at Auburn for the winter." - Undated and unidentified source.
"A FAST RUN. Train No. 3, which is one of the fastest passenger trains on the P. & R. road, made the record run between Auburn and Pottsville yesterday morning. The train left Auburn at 10:50 a.m., which is six minutes behind her schedule time. and arrived at the Pottsville station at 11:02 a.m., which is her exact time. The run of 10 3/10 miles, including the customary stop at Schuylkill Haven was made in exactly 12 minutes, which is nearly 60 miles an hour. Considering the heavy train and the winding condition of the road this time is remarkable. Relief Engineer Kohler made the run.
"Thursday afternoon of last week a brakeman named DAvid McAllister, of Auburn, while shifting cars near the REading depot in this place, fell from a coal car, and another car passing over his left arm, it was so fearfully mangled that amputation was necessary. he also received several bruises about the head, and was picked up unconscious. Dr. J. G. Dreher performed the operation of taking off McAllister's arm skillfully. A special car took the injured man to his home in Auburn. McAllister has a wife and several children to support, which, now that he is maimed for life, will not be the easiest thing in the world. Would it not be a good idea for the Philadelphia and Reading reailroad company - and, indeed, all similar corporations - to make it a rule to give (when possible) all who are injured while working for them employment as watchmen or in other positions for which their physical disabilities would not disqualify them?" - Schuylkill County Herald circa 1879.
"Fitch in the Harness Again. Thomas Fitch, of Auburn, the engineer who was injured in the Rose Glen wreck last fall, has resumed work in the P. & R. yards at Reading." - Undated and unidentified source, possibly circa 1892.
"The new P. & R. station at Auburn has been opened. All of the offices have been removed to the new building which is a big improvement upon the old one, which will be used for freight and storehouse purposes." - Undated and unidentified source.
"TO STORE ENGINES FOR WINTER. The Atlantic City type of engines, which did such excellent service on the Atlantic City division during the past summer, are now coming to Reading. They are Nos. 335, 335, 336, 337, 338, and 339. They are to be stored at Auburn for the winter." - Undated and unidentified source.
"A FAST RUN. Train No. 3, which is one of the fastest passenger trains on the P. & R. road, made the record run between Auburn and Pottsville yesterday morning. The train left Auburn at 10:50 a.m., which is six minutes behind her schedule time. and arrived at the Pottsville station at 11:02 a.m., which is her exact time. The run of 10 3/10 miles, including the customary stop at Schuylkill Haven was made in exactly 12 minutes, which is nearly 60 miles an hour. Considering the heavy train and the winding condition of the road this time is remarkable. Relief Engineer Kohler made the run.
"Thursday afternoon of last week a brakeman named DAvid McAllister, of Auburn, while shifting cars near the REading depot in this place, fell from a coal car, and another car passing over his left arm, it was so fearfully mangled that amputation was necessary. he also received several bruises about the head, and was picked up unconscious. Dr. J. G. Dreher performed the operation of taking off McAllister's arm skillfully. A special car took the injured man to his home in Auburn. McAllister has a wife and several children to support, which, now that he is maimed for life, will not be the easiest thing in the world. Would it not be a good idea for the Philadelphia and Reading reailroad company - and, indeed, all similar corporations - to make it a rule to give (when possible) all who are injured while working for them employment as watchmen or in other positions for which their physical disabilities would not disqualify them?" - Schuylkill County Herald circa 1879.
"Fitch in the Harness Again. Thomas Fitch, of Auburn, the engineer who was injured in the Rose Glen wreck last fall, has resumed work in the P. & R. yards at Reading." - Undated and unidentified source, possibly circa 1892.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND PICTURES