OBIT: Scott FISHER, 1871, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MS Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT - On Thursday afternoon last a special train east on the P.R.R., containing Col. S. A. Black, Superintendent of the Middle Division, W. W. Vodges, R. L. Head, and Mr. Taylor, drawn by Engine No. 212 collided with a ballast train at Millerstown, from neglect of the flagman of the latter train to go back a sufficient distance to give notice to the special train. Mr. William Stimer was the engineer and Mr. Scott Fisher fireman, both residents of this city, who seeing their danger immediately attempted to escape by jumping off the engine. Mr. Fisher rolled back toward the track, and was run over by a wheel of one of the trucks of the passenger car which passed over his arm near the shoulder. He died from the effects of his injuries about five o'clock. Engineer Stimer had his collar bone dislocated, but is believed to have sustained no other serious injury. It is the opinion of railroaders that had they remained on the engine they would have escaped wholly unhurt. No one else sustained any injuries except Mr. Head, who was thrown off his seat in the centre of the passenger car to the door and was considerably bruised. The engine of the special train had the front end knocked off. It was thrown from the track. The body of the calaboose on the ballast train was destroyed and one gondola was somewhat broken. The passenger car had the draw head knocked off and some of the irons bent. Had there been one hundred feet more between the trains no accident would have occurred. The remains of Mr. Fisher were interred from the Second M. E. Church, of which he was a member, after appropriate services, conducted by the Pastor, Mr. Monroe, on Sunday afternoon last. They were followed to their last resting place in Fairview Cemetery by an immense concourse of people, the largest, perhaps, ever seen in this city on any similar occasion, thus showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn his sudden and untimely death, who have the sympathy of this entire community. - ALTOONA TRIBUNE The Register, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, October 25, 1871