OBIT: Homer D. KIMBERLING, 1900, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

MAY TERMINATE FATALLY.
The Accident of Which Homer D. Kimberling Was the Victim.

  Homer D. Kimberling, a young man 23 years of age, who made Altoona 
his home and is employed on the Cresson and Clearfield division of the 
Pennsylvania railroad as a freight brakeman, met with an accident at 
Cresson at 5.30 o'clock yesterday morning that will likely terminate in 
his death.  He was a member of Conductor Kiley's crew which was 
shifting cars in the Cresson yard and was on a draft of cars which was 
being dropped down on the Cresson and Clearfield track.
  He was standing on top of a car and while signaling the engineer 
slipped and fell between the cars to the rails.  Several cars passed 
over his legs, crushing the left to the knee and breaking the bones in 
the right.  He was picked up and brought to the Altoona hospital.  When 
that institution was reached an examination showed that an amputation 
of both legs was necessary, but he had become so weakened from the loss 
of blood that the operation was impossible at the time, as death would 
likely have ensured.  Stimulants were given during the day and at 8 
o'clock last night the surgeon decided that amputation was necessary to 
save his life.  He had rallied somewhat and the left leg was taken off 
six inches above the knee.  He stood the operation fairly well, but it 
was deemed advisable to wait until to-day before the right leg was 
amputated.  
  Kimberling is a young man with a fairly strong constitution and may 
recover, though it is doubtful.  He people reside at Mill Creek, 
Huntingdon county.  They were notified of the accident and arrived in 
the city yesterday afternoon.  Kimberling is single and boarded at 1209 
Twelfth avenue.

Morning Tribune, Friday, January 26, 1900

DIED OF HIS INJURIES
Homer D. Kimberling Passes Away at the Altoona Hospital.

  Homer D. Kimberling, the young Cresson and Clearfield division 
brakeman who fell from the top of a car at Cresson Thursday morning and 
had both legs crushed and broken, died at the hospital at 3.45 o'clock 
yesterday afternoon as the result of his injuries.  When admitted to 
the hospital an examination showed that both legs would have to be 
amputated.  His condition was such that the operation could not be 
performed at the time.  Toward evening he rallied and at 8 o'clock the 
left leg was taken off above the knee.  He stood the operation fairly 
well and the surgeons thinking he would have a better chance for 
recovery decided to wait until yesterday before taking off the right 
leg.  Kimberling seemed to rally yesterday morning and it was thought 
he would be able to stand the second operation.  At noon he began 
sinking and at the hour named above he passed away.  He never lost 
consciousness and knew all about him until death claimed him.
  The deceased was aged 23 and was born at Mill Creek, Huntingdon 
county, where his parents reside.  He is also survived by one brother.  
The remains were prepared for burial by Undertaker Lafferty and will be 
taken to Mill Creek on seashore express this morning for interment.

Morning Tribune, Saturday, January 27, 1900