Railroad-related
Updated 07/18/2023
Railroads were once a major contributor to the development of Auburn, Schuylkill County, Penna. This technology was primarily responsible for the population growth, industrial growth and economic growth of Auburn. Unfortunately, like many other instances of "new" technology, railroads were responsible for the injury or death of dozens of Auburn-area residents before significant safety-features were required and prior to the eventual demise of this once thriving industry.
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Color-coding key:
Black font - Fatalities
Gray font - Potential/uncertain fatalities
Black font - Fatalities
Gray font - Potential/uncertain fatalities
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 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.
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. He was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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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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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.
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." - Undated and non-sourced newspaper article |
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 & was interred in the Brownstown Evangelical Cemetery, Brownstown, Lancaster Co., PA.
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Daubert, Thomas (Unk. - Unk.) - "AUBURN - From Our Special Correspondent: The funeral of Thomas Daubert, who was killed on the S. & S. Railroad, was attended by a number of persons from town." - Date and source of news article is unknown but probably came from the Miners' Journal newspaper of Schuylkill County, PA.
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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.)
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 H. (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).
************************************** 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". |
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).
Joshua was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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 Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Faust, William G. (12/15/1865 - 03/01/1911) A news article dated March 1, 1911 from the Pottsville Republican Newspaper, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania was titled "AUBURN MANUFACTURER IN AUTO KILLED BY TRAIN". The article states that "William G. Faust was almost instantly killed when his auto truck was struck this morning by the work train on the Penna. Railroad at the station crossing in Auburn, just opposite the freight depot. He was not instantly killed, but died shortly after without regaining consciousness. Mr. Faust was a man well known in Pottsville and was quite a prominent citizen in his own town. He was secretary of the Auburn Borough Council and was part owner of the Auburn Knitting Mill, Wm. H. Diefenderfer being his partner in business. As supt. of Church of God Sunday School he was brought in touch with religious work and was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity of Orwigsburg. The accident happened while he was taking a load of goods to the Penna. Railroad Station to be loaded there. It is the worst crossing at this end of the county and one petition after another has been sent to the Penna. Railroad Co. to have a crossing watchman placed there for the proper protection of those who are compelled to use it, but they have never given the matter consideration in the past. Three other persons have met death at this crossing, Mr. Faust being the fourth victim. He was a resident of Auburn for many years and formerly resided in W. Brunswick Twp. He is survived by a wife and one son, Clarence, about sixteen years of age. Several brothers and sisters also survive. The auto truck was completely demolished."
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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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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 empaneled 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 empaneled 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 (Rubright), 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 empaneled 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 (Rubright), 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.
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.
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, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Herring, Amos (04/20/1858 - 02/14/1909) - "MAN'S LEG ON ENGINE PILOT - Gave Clue To the Killing of Amos Herring, of Auburn - The finding of a man's leg on the pilot of the engine of the Pennsy train leaving Pottsville at 5:45 o'clock last evening was the first knowledge the crew and of the evident fact that a man had been struck. The gruesome discovery was made as the train came to a stop at the station in Auburn. After a long search the body was found a considerable distance from the tracks, literally cut to pieces. Identification was difficult but it was finally found that the man was Amos Herring, aged about 50 years, a laborer in the employ of the Auburn Bolt and Nut Works. The unfortunate man is survived by his wife and six children. Herring had just completed a day's work and had started on his way home along the Pennsy tracks. He was in the act of crossing the railroad bridge a short distance below work when the train came thundering along, and being unable to get across in time was struck by the engine and killed." - (Excerpt from a news article from Pottsville, PA dated Monday, February 15, 1909.) Amos is interred within the Auburn Cemetery located adjacent to Mill 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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Huntzinger, Francis (08/18/1858 - 05/26/1895) - "On Saturday forenoon, when the Harrisburg freight was returning to Auburn, and when passing Rockville, conductor, Francis Huntzinger, while leaning out of the car, was struck by a signal pole and thrown under the train. Several cars passed over him. Both legs were crushed below the knees, and he was internally injured. The passenger train that left Pinegrove at ten o'clock arrived there soon after the accident and took him to the Harrisburg hospital. Both limbs were amputated, and early on Sunday morning he died from the shock and loss of blood. The deceased has a family of six children residing in Auburn." - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, PA Friday, May 31, 1895 Page 3.
Francis was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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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Klock, Horace B. (07/26/1844 - 03/19/1874) - Horace B. Klock served as a Sergeant in Company F of the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry from 02/19/1864 - 07/14/1865. He was 5'11" tall. He was employed by the railroad as a fireman. He was killed on the P. & R. railroad in Schuylkill Haven, cause uncertain.
Horace was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Kramer, Abraham L. - Abraham was born in Pennsylvania on July 4, 1862 as the son of Frank Kramer (mother's name illegible on the death certificate). Abraham married Alice Louisa Herbst Kramer in 1885. They had the following children: John Henry Kramer, Lucian F. Kramer, Robert S. Kramer, Sadie Louisa Kramer and William J. Kramer. Abraham was employed as a watchman on the Pennsylvania Railroad according to his death certificate, which indicates his cause of death as having been struck by a train at the "Rockville Bridge" in Dauphin County, PA an that his neck was broken and his leg was crushed below the femur. His place of death listed as Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA. The website findagrave.com has an unsubstantiated listing for Abraham L. Kramer as having been interred within the Auburn Cemetery, Mill Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, there is no physical evidence, nor any burial or church records, that substantiate this information. findagrave.com also lists his wife, Alice, as well as their children Lucian, Robert and Sadie, as all having been interred within this cemetery; however, no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, exist to substantiate this information.
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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 (22) 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."
John was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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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Manhard, Joseph (Unk. - 07/30/1880) - "Joseph Manhard, who lived in South Manheim township, near Auburn, and a brakeman on the wood train on the S. & S. road, on last Thursday, at 1:15 P.M., as the train passed this place, he was struck by the bridge which crosses the cut and instantly killed. Deceased was born in Switzerland, and was 45 years of age." Buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Pottsville, PA. - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, PA Friday, August 6, 1880.
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"The bridge at Hammon station, to which may be ascribed the death of brakeman Manhard, has been taken down and a new one will be erected in its place during the week. It crosses a deep cut and has been used for many years." - Pinegrove Herald, Friday, August 13, 1880.
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"The bridge at Hammon station, to which may be ascribed the death of brakeman Manhard, has been taken down and a new one will be erected in its place during the week. It crosses a deep cut and has been used for many years." - Pinegrove Herald, Friday, August 13, 1880.
Meck, James
(03/30/1842 - 12/22/1884) "RAILROAD ACCIDENT. - Yesterday afternooon 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. James Meck was born in Pennsylvania. He married Polly Ebling Meck. He also served in the Civil War, Company A, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, from 09/17/1861 to 07/17/1865. His height was 5'9". His occupations were that of a railroad fireman and a yeoman. He died in Dauphin County, PA and is interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA |
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 lesson 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 lesson 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.
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(s) a wife and several children." -
Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, Pa. July 11, 1902. William was interred in St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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.)
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 Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, PA.
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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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