OBIT: William A. LEWIS, 1886, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

INSTANTLY KILLED.
An Old Employe of the Company and a Much Respected Citizen.

Special to the TRIBUNE.
  HUNTINGDON, Pa., December 17. - William Lewis, freight conductor of 
crew 234, residing at Altoona, met with instant death in this place 
about half-past 6 o'clock this evening.  It seems that Mr. Lewis's 
train had been switched off from the south track in order to take on a 
car of cattle from the Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad.  While the 
brakeman of his train were [sic] attending to the shifting of the car 
his engineer and fireman, Messrs. John Stonebraker and J. D. Long, had 
proceeded with the engine to the water plug at the station to take on a 
supply of water.  Conductor Lewis had also gone to the station in order 
to make out his manifests.  It was on his return to the train that the 
awful accident occurred which resulted in his death.  After procuring 
his manifests he proceeded in the direction of his train, walking 
westward on the north track.  He had just reached the engine when 
Chicago limited, which was a few minutes late, came thundering along.  
It appears that the escaping steam from the engine of his own train 
prevented Mr. Lewis from hearing the approach of the limited, and while 
walking in advance of the latter train, he was struck before he could 
be warned of his danger.  Several bystanders as well as the members of 
his own crew observed the danger he was in, but on account of the noise 
of the engines near by nothing could be done towards acquainting him of 
his danger.  When he was struck he was thrown forward several feet  
between the north and south tracks, and from the position in which he 
was found it is evident that he was instantly killed.  His remains were 
at once removed to the hospital of the Pennsylvania railroad company on 
Allegheny street where, after an examination of the body by the 
company's physician, they were prepared for burial.
  
THE DEAD CONDUCTOR.

  William A. Lewis, an account of whose death appears above, was one of 
Altoona's most respected citizens and the sad intelligence of his 
hurried summons will be read with sorrow by his many friends.  Mr. 
Lewis was born in Penn township, Perry county, Pa., and was aged about 
54 years.  His early life was spent in that township.  He worked as a 
furnaceman in several places in the Juniata Valley and was at one time, 
about the year 1866, employed at Allegheny Furnace.  His father died 
near Rockhill Furnace, Huntingdon county, and his mother also died at 
that place.  For about seventeen years he had been a conductor on the 
Pennsylvania railroad, the duties of which position he discharged with 
credit to himself and acceptably to the company by whom he was 
employed.  His residence in this city was at No. 424 Sixth avenue.  His 
wife survives him as do two children - a daughter, the wife of 
Dispatcher Augustus Lynch, and a son, John Lewis, who is employed as an 
engineer in the yard.  He also leaves one brother and three sisters - 
Charles H. Lewis and Mrs. Martha Ross, of Altoona, Mrs. Jane Collins, 
of Logan, near Lewistown, and Mrs. Margaret Himes, residing near Mt. 
Union.
  Mr. Lewis was an industrious and honorable man.  To his friends the 
news of his death was a great shock and the many expressions of regret 
which were heard were evidences of the esteem in which he was held.  
The sympathy of these friends will go forth to the sorrowing relatives 
in their bereavement.  The deceased was a soldier in the late war and 
was a member of post 62, Grand Army of the Republic.  He was also a 
member of the Brotherhood of Conductors and of Logan lodge No. 79, 
Knights of Pythias.  His remains will be brought to this city on 
Pacific express Saturday morning.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., December 23, 1886