OBIT: Isaac Laughman, 1916, Bittinger Station, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/
_______________________________________________

KILLED ON RAILROAD

BELIEVE ISAAC LAUGHMAN WAS ASLEEP ON TRACK WHEN HIT

Body of Young Quarryman Found Near Bittinger Station Monday Morning – Had Been 
Drinking During the Day, It is Said.

With his head crushed in, one arm off, and his abdomen horribly mangled, the 
lifeless body of Isaac Laughman was picked up Monday morning on the W. M. track 
near Bittinger Station.  It is believed that he was struck by the Philadelphia 
Express which passed the place 11 o’clock Sunday night and that his dead body 
lay near the track all night until it was discovered Monday morning by Oscar 
Beck who lives nearby.

It is said that on Sunday, Laughman was seen in a partially intoxicated 
condition and it is believed that he may either have fallen asleep on the track, 
or have wandered onto the railroad and in his drunken stupor, not have paid any 
attention to the approaching train.

From the condition of his body the only reasonable inference is that he was 
instantly killed.  A portion of the head is missing and the injuries to his 
abdomen were so severe that he could not have lived more than a few minutes, 
even if his head has escaped.

Dr. Woomer, Cashtown, coroner of Adams county, was summoned and a jury was 
empaneled, composed of the following:  William Kepner, Charles Gibbons, David 
Witmer and John Kinneman.  The verdict pronounced was that the victim met his 
death by being struck by a Western Maryland train accidentally.

Laughman had lived in Adams county at various times during his life, being 
employed about Bittinger and elsewhere as a day laborer.  He returned from 
Lancaster county a year ago and recently had been making his home at the Valley 
View hotel.

The dead man was single and about 35 years of age.  His parents are both dead 
and he leaves two brothers and a sister, William and Nathanial Laughman, both 
living at Bittinger, and Mrs. Charles Hawkins, of Mountville, Lancaster county.

The funeral was held today from his late home and interment made at Mummert’s 
meeting house.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, August 12, 1916