OBIT: Jefferson D. MORT, 1903, of Altoona, Blair County, PA

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FATAL WRECK.

Engineer J. D. Mort Killed Near Van Dyke Tower, East of Lewistown.

  J. D. Mort, 1212 Thirteenth avenue, an engineer on the Middle division, was 
instantly killed and his fireman, J. C. Mediegh, also of this city, was 
slightly hurt in a wreck a short distance east of Van Dyke tower, east of 
Mifflin, Saturday afternoon.
  Engineer Mort, with engine 1553, was was ging [sic] east, running light, 
and, just after passing the tower mentioned, the rails buckled, throwing the 
track out of alignment.  The engine left the rails, topped over and crashed 
into a freight train also going east, wrecking sixteen loaded cars.  The 
engineer was caught under the engine and instantly killed, his body being 
literally roasted by the escaping steam.  Fireman Medeigh jumped and escaped 
with a broken ankle.  The remains of the dead engineer were brought to the 
city and given to Undertaker Lafferty, who prepared them for burial.  Mr. Mort 
was born June 14, 1864, in Mifflin county, and had been in the service of the 
company for a number of years as a fireman, having been promoted to engineer 
in November, 1902.  He was the son of Jefferson and Nancy Mort, of Atkinson's 
Mills, Juniata county, who survive, as do also these brothers and sisters: 
Levi, of Pittsburg; Jackson, James and Charles, of Saxton, Bedford county; 
Mrs. William Sherdon, of this city; Mrs. Susan Mitchell, of Lewistown, and 
Mrs. Lizzie Wertz, of Mapleton.  His wife, who is totally blind, and four 
children survive.  They are: William H., Edna, Foster and Florence Pearl.  He 
was a consistent member of Trinity Reformed church, the Brotherhood of Firemen 
and of the Pennsylvania railroad relief.  The funeral will take place this 
afternoon from the late residence.  Services will be conducted at 2.30 by Rev. 
Lewis Robb.  Interment will be made in Hutchison's cemetery, Juniata.

Altoona Times, Monday, July 27, 1903

NOTE: Jefferson D. Mort, born June, 1864, Year: 1900; Census Place: Altoona 
Ward 8, Blair, Pennsylvania; Roll: T623 1381; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 
62.