OBIT: James CHAMBERLAIN, 1885, Huston Township, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Altoona Area Public Library
Transcribed by JRB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

A TRAGIC DEATH

A Well-Known Citizen of Huston Township Dies of Paralysis of the Heart.

  A correspondent of Mines sends the TRIBUNE the following:
  Mr. James Chamberlain, an old and well known citizen of Huston township, 
and who resided on Piney Creek, about four miles north of Martinsburg, met 
his death very suddenly and under singular circumstances Tuesday evening.  
The particulars, so far as learned, are substantially as follows: Mr. 
Chamberlain, with his wife and little daughter, about 6 years of age, were 
visiting Mrs. William Etter, a married daughter residing at this place.  
About 4 o'clock, when ready to start for their home, Mrs. Chamberlain 
remarked that she had some few purchases to make at the store, he should take 
the little girl in the wagon and drive around while she would go by the path, 
it being much nearer.  She had not been in the store more than ten minutes 
when her little girl came running in and exclaimed, "Oh, mamma, my dear papa 
is dead."
  This caused quite an excitement.  The clerks closed the store and joining 
the throng, started toward the scene of the accident.  About one hundred 
yards from the house of Mr. Etter blood was found by the roadside.  This put 
them on the track of the wagon, which was followed for about four miles.  
First toward Beavertown as far as what is known as the Indian fields, thence 
to the Dilling saw mill, where the horse had been stopped by Mr. Wineland, 
who happened to be at work near the road.  When the men came on the scene, 
one of the most shocking sights that their eyes ever gazed upon was before 
them.  The body was hanging over the side of the wagon between the front 
wheel and the bed, whilst his legs were yet in the wagon, being held in this 
position by some of his clothing being fast in the brake lever.  His coat was 
partly torn from his body.  The only cut of any consequence was along the 
jaw, it being about three inches in length, exposing the bone, but his face 
was very much bruised.  Quite a crowd having gathered, the body was placed in 
the wagon and sent to his late home.
  The following is the story told by the little girl; we give it as near as 
possible in her own words.  She says when but a short distance from the house 
her papa fell over on the wheel, and she called to him but received no 
answer.  Then she tried to pull him into the wagon but could not, and 
noticing that his face was covered with blood, she says she stopped the 
horse, got out and started toward the store for her mamma.  After she left 
the horse must have again started toward home by a different road from that 
intended, but must have traveled very leisurely as the tracks no place showed 
that he had been running.
  The deceased was about fifty years of age.  A wife, five daughters and one 
son survive him.  Also three brothers and two sisters.  The bereaved friends 
have the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community.  It is the opinion of a 
medical gentleman who saw and examined the body after the accident, that 
death resulted from paralysis of the heart.

Altoona Tribune, November 19, 1885

Funeral of James Chamberlain

  The funeral of James Chamberlain, the gentleman who died suddenly and under 
such distressing circumstances in Huston township, on Tuesday afternoon, took 
place Thursday and was very largely attended by the people who had long known 
and respected him.  The funeral procession left the late residence of the 
deceased and moved to the house of worship of the Methodist people, where 
appropriate services were held.  Mr. Chamberlain had been for some years a 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. . . . of all men among 
whom he moved.  In the absence of the Methodist pastor the funeral services, 
beginning at 11 o'clock, were conducted by Rev. J. David Miller, a personal 
friend of deceased.  The text was taken from Acts, xxxv: 7, and the sermon 
was an earnest and impressive one.  The death of Mr. Chamberlain under such 
pathetic circumstances has awakened a feeling of profound sympathy for his 
stricken family throughout the entire neighborhood of which he was a citizen.

Altoona Tribune, November 19, 1885