Allegheny County PA Archives- Obituaries: Cook, Harry, 08 Sep 1875 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Martha Little, , Jul 2010 Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ ________________________________________________ from The Pittsburgh Daily Gazette dated Thursday, September 9, 1875 (page 4): FATAL ACCIDENT Yesterday morning about six o'clock the body of Harry COOK, a brakeman on the Pan Handle railroad, was found at the south end of the Pan Handle railroad bridge, about four feet from the edge of the water. As soon as it was discovered the Coroner was notified, who had the remains removed to the undertaking establishment of Mr WILLIAMS, on Fifth avenue. Last evening an inquest was held on the body, when two witnesses were examined, but neither of them saw the man fall from the freight train, upon which he was riding previous to meeting with the accident. Mr P H SHIPLEY, conductor of the train, said he saw COOK at his post of duty just before leaving the Union Depot, but did not miss him until the train was about four miles out of town. On walking on top of the cars he found the hat of the brakeman, but no other trace of his whereabouts could be ascertained. On arriving at Mansfield a telegram was sent to this city by the conductor stating that COOK was lost, and asking the authorities to search for him. Conductor SHIPLEY said he thought the unfortunate man was going from the middle of the train to the caboose to change his clothing, as was his custom on starting out on the road, and that on reaching the ladder, which he attempted to descend, he slipped and fell from the car, at the south end of the railroad bridge, a distance of about fifty feet below, which caused instant death. James SWEENEY was also examined and both men said they never saw the deceased under the influence of liquor. This was his third trip under Conductor SHIPLEY, and that gentleman held him in high esteem. After hearing the testimony, the Coroner's jury rendered a verdict of accidental death. Deceased was about thirty years of age, and leaves a wife and family on Old avenue to mourn his untimely death. from the City of Pittsburgh Death Records: Harry COOK, age 38 years, married, brakeman, died September 8, 1875, fall from train on P, C & St L railroad in Second Ward; born in Pittsburgh; lived at 41 Old Avenue; burial in Union Dale Cemetery on September 9, 1875.