OBIT: Martha S. (HAWKSWORTH) AURANDT, 1933, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Terry Griffith 
tgriffith@new.rr.com July 31, 2010, 11:16 pm

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ALTOONAN DROWNS IN FLOODED CREEK
Mrs. Benjamin Aurandt, 65, of 1005 Twenty-seventh Avenue Meets Tragic 
Death.
ACCIDENT OCCURS WHEN AUTOMOBILE IS STALLED.
High Waters Over Culvert Near Gettysburg Sweep Woman From Arms Of Son-
in-law.

  An automobile vacation trip among relatives in Maryland ended 
tragically for a party of four Altoonans last evening with the drowning 
of Mrs. Benjamin Aurandt, aged 65, of 1005 Twenty-seventh avenue in a 
rain-swollen creek at White Run, four miles south of Gettysburg.
  Attempts to recover Mrs. Aurandt's body following the accident last 
night were unavailing then but early this morning with the efforts 
resumed at daybreak the body was found some distance down the stream.
  The vacationing party was comprised of Mr. and Mrs. Aurandt and their 
son-in-law and daughter Mr. and Mrs. H. Edwin Harbaugh, all of 1005 
Twenty-seventh avenue. Mr. Harbaugh is a member of the Senior High 
school faculty, teaching science.

SWEPT FROM ARMS

  According to the account of the accident received locally, Mrs. 
Aurandt was swept from Mr. Harbaugh's arms as he attempted to carry her 
to the bank of the creek from their automobile, which had been stalled 
by the flood waters. In the dark he was unable to locate Mrs. Aurandt 
and he climbed to one edge of the creek.
  Farriers in the vicinity and state police were called to the scene of 
the accident and an extensive search was conducted along the creek in 
the hope of finding the woman lodged somewhere before the chance of 
resuscitating her had passed. When it became apparent that there was 
little likelihood of locating her in the dark the search was suspended 
until this morning when word of finding the body was received by a son, 
George M. Aurandt of 912 First avenue.
  Arrangements have been completed for the return of the body to 
Altoona late today, accompanied by the other members of the party.

WATER STALLS AUTO

  Mr. and Mrs. Aurandt and Mr. and Mrs. Harbaugh were en route from 
Washington to Fairfield, Adams county, where they planned to spend last 
night at Mr. Harbaugh's parental home. They were driving on the 
Baltimore pike and on reaching the creek, a narrow one spanned only by 
a culvert, felt the automobile could be forced through the water and 
the trip continued without delay.
  Instead the car stalled and with no knowledge of how much higher the 
water might rise Mr. Harbaugh first carried his wife to safety on the 
bank and then returned for Mrs. Aurandt. In moving away from the 
automobile with the older woman in his arms Mr. Harbaugh slipped and 
instantly the couple was separated.
  Mr. Aurandt, who was waiting in the car until the women had been 
removed safely, remained in the machine and after the accident made his 
escape safely. The car was towed from the culvert and except for being 
wet, was not disabled. The party left the city on Monday morning, 
spending the first night in Cumberland, then visiting Hagerstown and 
Washington, D. C., before starting for Fairfield. It was planned to 
return to Altoona tomorrow.

NATIVE OF ALTOONA

  Mrs. Martha Susan Aurandt was born in Altoona on March 1, 1868, a 
daughter of George and Amelia Hawksworth, and was a lifelong resident 
of the city. Surviving are her husband, one son and one daughter, 
George M. Aurandt of the city and Mrs. Harbaugh, at home; one grand-
daughter, and one brother and one sister, Mrs. Laura Fleck of the city 
and Calvin P. Hawksworth of Winneconne, Wis.
  Mrs. Aurandt was a lifelong member of the First Baptist church.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., August 24, 1933

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