OBIT: C. G. McKEE, 1890, Carson Valley, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ HURLED FROM THE TRACK. AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON THE BRANCH ROAD. C. G. McKee, of Carson Valley, Being Hard of Hearing Endeavors to Cross the Track at Stiffler Station Ahead of a Train - The Engine Crashes into His Buggy Reducing it to Splinters. THE HORSE WAS ALMOST INSTANTLY KILLED And Mr. McKee Was So Seriously Injured That Fears Are Entertained for His Recovery. Our Hollidaysburg correspondent writes: "Mr. C. G. McKee, who for many years was a prominent citizen of Hollidaysburg, but whose home in recent years has been in Carson valley, met with a terrible accident yesterday afternoon which on account of his extreme age, he being above 70, may result fatally. He had been in town attending to some business and started to return home between 1 and 2 o'clock in his buggy. On approaching the railroad crossing near Stiffler's station he did not observe the approaching train from Altoona, known as the afternoon local, and as his horse stepped on the track the engine struck the animal tearing off a leg and knocking him lifeless to one side of the road. The buggy was shattered to pieces, and its occupant was thrown to the other side. The wonder is that Mr. McKee was not instantly killed. "He, on account of his extreme age, is quite deaf and did not hear the noise of the train as it approached, and did not see it for the reason, it is said, that the view at that point is obstructed by piles of railroad ties on each side of the road. The train was stopped and the badly bruised and suffering man tenderly lifted and conveyed in the baggage car to this station, where his wounds were examined and dressed by the railroad company's physician. His head and face are badly cut and bruised, as is also his left arm and wrist. Singular as it may appear, no bones were broken. The shock was terrible, and it is feared that he will suffer from concussion of the brain. When at the station he recovered consciousness, and although he spoke with difficulty it was evident that he was in possession of his faculties. After the wounds had been properly dressed and the condition of the unfortunate man made as comfortable as possible he was taken in a special car to the hospital at Altoona." On being taken to the hospital his injuries were properly dressed. He exhibited signs of a great shock and though his injuries were not at all serious, he suffered severely from nervous prostration and could not recognize his friends in the evening. The attending physicians did all in their power to overcome the effects of the shock, but at a late hour his condition was very serious and it was considered doubtful if he would recover. Mr. McKee is 73 years of age and is the father of Thomas McKee, of this city, who, upon being notified of the accident, went to the hospital, but the condition of the injured man was such that he failed to recognize his son. Two other children, Walter and Mary, reside on the farm. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, November 13, 1890 Death of C. G. McKee. C. G. McKee, the old man struck by a train on the branch railroad Wednesday afternoon at a crossing near Stiffler's Station, and who was admitted to the hospital for treatment died at that institution yesterday morning at twenty-five minutes past 10 o'clock, death being caused by internal injuries. Coroner Poet was immediately notified and impannelled the following jury: E. W. H. Kreider, W. W. Trout, Charles Nesbit, J. Arthur, C. M. Gates and Charles Stains. After viewing the remains the jury adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock p.m., at the undertaking rooms of J. Arthur. Upon reassembling at the hour selected a number of witnesses were examined and their testimony taken. C. W. Briggle, who was firing the engine when it struck the unfortunate man, was first sworn. He stated that he saw the team coming on the track a few second before it was struck. There were blinds on the buggy and he did not see any one inside. B. C. Knepper, conductor, was sworn. He did not see the team till after the train had struck and passed it some distance - about three squares. He ordered the train back and the injured man was placed on board and taken to Hollidaysburg. Engineer C. W. Ferry was the last witness sworn. He stated that he was running south from Altoona, starting at 2 o'clock. Shortly before Stiffler's station was reached he gave the signal, by whistling, and looked back to get the signal to stop. When he looked around the team was on the track and before he could make an attempt to stop the accident had happened. He said there was nothing to obstruct the vision of one driving and he could not understand why the unfortunate man did not see the train. It was stated that Mr. McKee was subject to heart disease and the opinion was expressed the he was powerless from one of these attacks when the accident happened. After the evidence had been taken the jury rendered a verdict "That the deceased came to his death by being struck by the engine hauling train No. 407, on November 12, and that no blame was attached to any of the employes of the railroad company." The remains were given in charge of Undertaker Arthur, who prepared them for burial, and took them to his home in Carson valley, from which place the funeral will take place on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, to proceed to the Presbyterian church at Hollidaysburg, where the interment will be made. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, November 14, 1890 1860 Hollidaysburg, Blair County census - G. C. McKey, 43 Nancy McKey, 32 Mary McKey, 19 Thomas McKey, 15 Adam McKey, 9 1850 Hollidaysburg, Blair County census - George C. McKee 34 Frances McKee 29 Mary H. McKee 8 Thos C. McKee 7