OBIT: James McGREGOR, 1919, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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JAMES M'GREGOR IS SUMMONED BY DEATH

Last Survivor of Crew of Runaway Train December 20, 1897, Wrecked at Station

  James McGregor, one of the city's best known railroad trainmen, died at the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Brennecke, 1524 Twenty-first avenue, 
yesterday morning at 1:05 o'clock, of complications of diseases.  He was the 
last survivor of the crew which was on the freight train that ran away on the 
mountain, December 20, 1897, and wrecked in front of the Logan house.
  Mr. McGregor was born in Indiana county, December 29, 1851, the son of 
Daniel and Mary McGregor, both deceased.  He came to this city later and was 
for many years employed as a trainmen on the Pittsburg division, being a 
flagman at the time of the famous runaway, in which three persons lost their 
lives.
  The crew of the runaway consisted of Conductor Porter Orner, Engineer Fred 
S. Burket, Fireman William Levitt, Flagman James McGregor and Brakemen C. S. 
Numer and Stephen D. Corbin.  Numer was killed outright.  Some time after the 
wreck Mr. McGregor was transferred to the Altoona yards, where he was 
employed up until about three weeks ago when he was stricken with his last 
illness.
  He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sarah Good McGregor, two sons and three 
daughters - George A., James E., Mrs. Maud Brennecke and Mrs. Lulu Hostler, 
all of this city, and Mrs. Gertrude Hamel, of Allentown.  Two sisters, Mrs. 
H. C. Mower and Mrs. William Dearment, of this city, also survive.  He was a 
member of the Eighth Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.  Funeral services 
will take place at the Brennecke home at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and 
will be public.  Private interment will be made in Fairview cemetery.  The 
remains may be viewed from 4 to 10 o'clock this evening and on Saturday 
morning from 10 o'clock until the time of the funeral.

Altoona Tribune, Friday, January 31, 1919, page 8