OBIT: James C. HOFFMAN, 1898, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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KILLED WHILE ASLEEP.
James C. Hoffman, of This City, Was Killed at Ryde Station This Morning 
by Pacific Express

  James C. Hoffman, the 18-year-old son of Daniel Hoffman, of 405 
Second avenue, was struck by Pacific express near Ryde station, about 5 
o'clock this morning and fatally injured.  His skull was fractured and 
his right arm badly mangled.  When picked up he was in a dying 
condition and probably never knew what hit him.  The unfortunate was 
placed on board Pacific express and taken to Huntingdon, where he died 
without regaining consciousness.
  The boy and a companion named Kelly left home last night for the 
purpose of going for berries.  They evidently went to Ryde on a freight 
train, reaching there too early in the morning to pick berries, and 
from the report received by the boy's father, must have layed down to 
await the break of day.  Hoffman laid his head on the rails of the 
west-bound track, while Kelly rested his head on Hoffman's body.  It 
was not their intention to fall asleep, but the long ride of sixty 
miles on a train at night made them tired and weary and before they 
knew it they were sound in slumber, never dreaming of the great danger 
of their position.  Pacific express came thundering along and before it 
could be stopped struck the unfortunate sleeper, fracturing his skull.  
Kelly was uninjured and did not awaken until after a second car had 
passed.  The remains were brought to this city on way passenger this 
afternoon and given to Undertaker Lafferty to prepare for burial.
  James C. Hoffman was born in Scotch Valley eighteen years ago and had 
resided in this city nearly all his life.  He attended school and 
carried papers.  He is survived by his father alone.  They boarded with 
his father's sister, Mrs. Anna Smith.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., August 15, 1898