OBIT:  Stewart C. BRANTNER, 1918, Duncansville, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

TRUCKMAN KILLED BY TRUCK ON CROSSING

Stewart C. Brantner, of Duncansville, Becomes Bewildered by Danger

  Stewart C. Brantner, of Duncansville, employed on the branch on the section 
between Hollidaysburg, Duncansville and Spring Meadow, of which John Justice 
is foreman, was struck and killed while at work on Saturday morning at 7:35 
o'clock, by a Ford truck owned by George Wright, of Imler, Bedford county, 
and driven by his son, Harvey, at the railroad crossing at Gaysport.  He was 
not killed outright, lingering for half an hour before death came.
  When the accident occurred the Wrights were on their way to the Altoona 
market with a load of produce.  Brantner was carrying some bolts over the 
crossing when the truck, which had come over the Catfish ridge, turned the 
corner at Newry and Bedford streets on to the crossing.  Both men in the Ford 
saw Brantner approaching them and young Wright, who was at the wheel and 
running at a moderate rate of speed, turned the machine aside to avoid 
striking Brantner, after they had both shouted at him.
  But Brantner evidently became bewildered and turned the same way, with the 
result that the machine struck him and knocked him down.  In falling his head 
hit a rail, causing a fracture of the skull.  The injured man was picked up 
and taken at once to the office of Dr. H. H. Brotherlin, the local railroad 
physician, where it was learned that his skull had been fractured and that 
there was no hope of saving his life.  He lingered in an unconscious 
condition until he passed away.
  The railroad authorities and Coroner Blackburn were notified of the man's 
death and the Wrights and others who witnessed the accident were duly 
examined.  It was apparently unavoidable, as the truck was being driven 
slowly over the crossing and the collision was due to the victim being unable 
for the moment to determine which way to turn.  
  The body was given in charge of Funeral Director Thomas B. McFarland, who 
prepared it for burial.
  The deceased was one of Duncansville's best known and most highly respected 
citizens, residing on Gibboney street.  He was born on June 2, 1864, was 
married and is survived by his wife, Lucy M., one son, Seymore, of 
Williamsburg; his aged mother, Mrs. Hannah Brantner, of Duncansville, and 
these brothers and sisters: Grant, of Dayton, O.; Carl, of Williamsburg; Mrs. 
Annie Maddocks, Mrs. John Hopkins and Mrs. Luther Gibboney, of Duncansville.
  Mr. Brantner was formerly a farmer and resided for some years on the farm 
of John Lloyd at Sunbrook.  He was a member of the Lutheran church of 
Duncansville, where the funeral services will be held this morning at 10 
o'clock, to be in charge of Rev. Isaac Krider.  Interment will be made in the 
Carson Valley cemetery.

 Altoona Tribune, Monday morning, August 26, 1918, page 4