OBIT: David L. GOODMAN, 1890, Juniata, Blair County, PA

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DEATH CAME SUDDENLY
TO DAVID L. GOODMAN YESTERDAY MORNING.
Struck by the Engine Hauling Second Section of Pacific Express, He Was 
Instantly Killed - The Accident Occurred Just West of the Red Bridge 
Shortly Before 8 o'clock.
HIS SON WAS CROSSING THE TRACKS
And the Father Fearing He Would Be Struck, Went to His Aid - The Boy 
Escaped Unhurt.

  A particularly sad accident, attended with fatal results, occurred 
yesterday morning just west of what is known as the Red Bridge, a 
locality which is at the eastern end of the Altoona yard, Pennsylvania 
railroad.  The victim was Mr. David L. Goodman, a resident of Juniata, 
and for years employed at that point as a switchman by the railroad 
company.
  Mr. Goodman went on duty at 7 o'clock yesterday morning, and it was 
about half an hour later that his son, Samuel, who is about 11 years 
old, also went down to the railroad.  For some reason the boy was 
crossing the tracks and his father discovered that Atlantic express 
from the west was approaching.  Mr. Goodman ran to save his son, 
unconscious that the second section of Pacific express was speeding 
around the curve just east of him and bound westward.  The boy escaped 
injury, but the father was struck and thrown some ten feet against a 
post and small bank of grass-covered earth by the side of the tracks.  
At the time that he was struck he was on the ties outside of the rails 
and a step of a couple of inches would have saved him.  Death was 
instantaneous.
  The train was stopped, the body taken on board and brought to the 
passenger station in this city, from where it was conveyed to the 
undertaking rooms of E. B. Tipton.  There Coroner Poet was summoned who 
empanelled the following jury, Joseph Meals, James Downing, Wellington 
Duncan, W. W. Foust, Charles V. Stains and Howard M. Tipton.  The train 
which struck him was drawn by engine 1104, Engineer John A. Hall and 
Fireman W. C. Foster.  The testimony of these two gentlemen was taken.  
Engineer Hall stated that he saw Mr. Goodman running in front of the 
engine to catch his boy; that the distance was very short and that the 
locomotive struck him on the right side, hurling him from the track.  
This evidence was corroborated by the fireman.  These were the only 
witnesses examined and the jury rendered the following verdict: 
"Deceased came to his death by being struck by engine 1104, hauling a 
westbound passenger train, while in an effort to save the life of his 
son, and no blame can be attached to any of the employes."
  Mr. Goodman was 51 years of age on the 4th of last March and was, 
consequently, at the time of his death 51 years, 8 months and 29 days 
old.  He was twice married - first to Miss Margaret Benton, who died 
about fifteen years ago.  Of the children born of this union there 
still survive: Mrs. Mary Black, widow of Dr. M. J. Black, of Newry; 
Mrs. Leonora Derrer, of Altoona; Mrs. Lena Green, of Spruce Creek, and 
Harry B. Goodman, of Juniata.  His second wife was Mrs. Ada Beecher, 
and the children are: Olive, Samuel, Jessie and David S., all of whom, 
with Harry B., make up the family at home.  His brothers are, Benjamin, 
Thomas and George, residing at Mill Creek, Huntingdon county; John, an 
engineer on the Cresson and Coalport railroad, and whose home is at 
Cresson, and Elbert, who lives at Gazzam, Clearfield county, and who is 
employed as a conductor on the Beech Creek railroad.
  During the earlier years of his life Mr. Goodman was converted and 
became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  When the Lutheran 
church was organized at Juniata he became a member of it, it being the 
first congregation organized there.  When, however, the Juniata 
Methodist Episcopal church was erected last summer, he again became a 
member of that denomination.  In all his church history he was active 
and energetic and regular in his attendance.  Possessing a special 
talent for music and a voice of more than ordinary volume and power, he 
gathered about him the young people of the church, and under his 
guidance the service of song was a service of gladness and soul-
stirring power.  He was a charter member of camp 31, Patriotic Order 
Sons of America, but withdrew from the camp about two years ago.  As a 
company employe he was attentive to his duties and for about fifteen 
years past had been switchman at the place where he met his death.
  The funeral services will take place on Friday afternoon at 2 
o'clock.  Interment in Hutchinson's' cemetery.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, December 4, 1890

Local Brevities.

  The funeral services of David L. Goodman will take place this 
afternoon from his late residence, corner of Second avenue and John 
street, Juniata, Pa.  The funeral cortege will leave the house at 2 
o'clock and go to the Methodist Episcopal church, where services will 
be held.  At the conclusion of the services in the church it will 
proceed to Hutchinson's cemetery, just east of Juniata, where the 
interment will take place.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, December 5, 1890