OBIT: Charles SENFT, 1909, East Berlin, Adams County, PA

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MR. CHARLES SENFT LOST AND FOUND DEAD ENTANGLED IN A WIRE FENCE

Death is Believed to be Due to Exposure at His Great Age of Near Four Score 
Years.

East Berlin was thrown into great excitement last Wednesday evening by the 
disappearance of Charles Senft, who made his home with his son-in-law, James L. 
Hildebrand, ticket agent at East Berlin.  It was the custom of Mr. Senft to 
spend his evenings at the ticket office and he left the office at 8:30 o’clock, 
supposedly on the way to the home of Mr. Hildebrand.  When the latter reached 
home his wife asked where her father was and was told of the aged man starting 
for home.  An alarm was immediately given and the last that could be traced of 
him was that he was seen going up Abbottstown street by some women.  A searching 
party was organized and spent the night and part of the next day without result.

Mr. McGrail, who lives in the P. P. Eisenhart house about half mile from town 
saw something lying in a field on Thursday morning and thought it was a shock of 
corn fodder.  The object was lying against a barb wire fence.  It was not until 
4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon that he decided to walk down and see what the 
object was.  He found Charles Senft fast in the barb wire and one leg so wrapped 
around with the wire that the latter had to be cut to release the body.  The two 
top wires were in position and it looked as though in an attempt to get over the 
fence he fell back and became wrapped in the wire and unable to get loose died 
of the exposure.  It is not thought that there was any foul play or that there 
was any self destruction.  It is thought that Mr. Senft got on the wrong way 
going home.  Some time ago he was on the wrong way for home and had to be put on 
the right way by others.

When Mr. McGrail came to town and told of his find, Dr. Spotz, the County 
Coroner happened to be in town and he at once impaneled a jury, who made known 
their verdict on Monday.

Mr. Senft was married twice, first to Mary Eckert and then to Lizetta Reed.  He 
was aged 7? Years, 10 months and 9 days.  He leaves two sons and one daughter, 
William Senft of McSherrystown, by the first wife, and Levi Senft of 
McSherrystown, and Mrs. Mary Hildebrand of East Berlin, by the second wife.  His 
second wife died last fall and he went to East Berlin to make his home with Mrs. 
Hildebrand.  He was a citizen of Hamilton township for 41 years and always voted 
the Democratic ticket.  The funeral was held yesterday – Tuesday – services by 
Rev. Geo. N. Lauffer, interment in New Oxford cemetery.                 E. L. S.     

Gettysburg Compiler – Wednesday, March 17, 1909