OBIT: Joseph GIVEN, Jr., 1900, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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MESSENGER BOY KILLED
Joseph Given, Jr., Fatally Injured Last Saturday.
HE JUMPED FROM ONE TRAIN
Only To Be Stuck by an Engine Hauling Another - Accident Happened on 
Branch Road Near Twenty-fourth Street.

  Joseph Given, jr., a Western Union Telegraph messenger, met a 
terrible death at 12.25 o'clock Saturday afternoon by being run down 
and fatally injured by a freight train on the Hollidaysburg branch 
railroad near Twenty-fourth street.  He died while being brought to the 
station to be taken to the hospital.
  The unfortunate boy left the Western Union office on Twelfth street 
at 12.10 o'clock to deliver a telegram on Beale avenue.  Thinking he 
could make better time he boarded a freight train which was going out 
the branch railroad.  Between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets he 
jumped off directly in front of a train coming into the city.  He was 
struck by the engine and hurled to one side of the track.  He train was 
stopped and the members of the crew hurried to the boy's side.  It was 
seen he was badly injured.  He was picked up and placed in the caboose 
to be taken to the hospital, but died when the train reached 
Seventeenth street.  The body was brought to the depot and given in 
charge of Undertaker Lafferty.
  Joseph Alonzo Given was a son of Joseph Given, a conductor on the 
middle division, and was born in this city January 3, 1885.  He was a 
bright and intelligent boy and attended the grammar school at the Penn 
building, at Sixth avenue and Tenth street, until ten days ago, when he 
accepted the position as messenger with the Western Union Telegraph 
company.  Manager A. L. Strickland, of the local office, says that, 
while the boy had only been in the company's employ but a short time he 
gave evidence that he would make a faithful and efficient messenger.  
He was well beloved by his fellow messengers and they, in showing their 
esteem, have presented a beautiful floral offering.  He was an 
attendant at the Second Lutheran Sunday school and church and was well 
liked by a large number of friends who have learned of his untimely 
death with sincere regret.  Besides his mother and father he is 
survived by one brother, William, and one sister, Annie.  Funeral 
services will be conducted at the house at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning.  
Interment will be made in Oak Ridge cemetery.

Morning Tribune, Monday, February 19, 1900

LOCAL BREVITIES.

  The funeral services of Joseph Given, jr., will be held in the Second 
Lutheran church this morning at 10 o'clock instead of at the residence 
of his parents, as previously announced.

Morning Tribune, Tuesday, February 20, 1900

CONCERNING FUNERALS.

  The funeral of Joseph Given, jr., took place from the home of the 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Given, 507 Eleventh street, yesterday 
morning at 10 o'clock and proceeded to the Second Lutheran church where 
impressive services were conducted by Rev. A. E. Wagener.  They were 
largely attended by friends of the deceased.  The floral offerings were 
numerous and beautiful.  The remains were laid to rest in Oak Ridge 
cemetery.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, February 21, 1900