OBIT: James HARMAN, 1858, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Roberts 
<David1@pyro.net> July 29, 2008, 10:31 pm

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_________________________________________ 

  DISTRESSING ACCIDENT. - On Wednesday evening last, another of those 
heart-chilling accidents, which of late have become so common, occurred 
at the lower end of the yard, in this place, by which James Harman, a 
brakeman on one of the freight trains, was so severely injured that he 
died in less than twelve hours thereafter.  It appears that Mr. H. was 
standing on the front end of a freight car which was running down the 
grade at pretty rapid speed and, receiving a sudden jolt, fell forward 
on the rail, and before he could get out of the way, the brakelock or 
wheel of the car struck him between the legs and shoved him before the 
car for a distance of forty feet, when he  was relieved by a person 
standing by, who caught him and pulled him off the track.  He was 
immediately carried to his home and Drs. Hirst & Good summoned.  On 
examination by the Drs., it was found that the joint bones of his right 
thigh were completely crushed and some parts of the bones driven up to 
the small of this back.  The flesh about his thigh was also much cut 
and bruised.  Under the circumstances, it was found impossible to save 
his life, and all that the Doctors could do was to minister to the 
relief of his pain.  The accident occurred at about four o'clock on 
Wednesday evening and he died at two o'clock on Thursday morning.  
  Mr. Harman had made a narrow escape with his life but two days 
before, having been knocked down by a bridge while walking on the top 
of a train when it was running.  He was rendered insensible for a short 
time, but fortunately did not fall off the train.
  He leaves a wife and four children to mourn their loss. - Altoona 
Tribune

Tyrone Star, Tyrone, Pa., October 5, 1858 p. 3

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