OBIT: John M. PROUGH, 1916, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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BRAKEMAN RUN OVER BY HIS OWN TRAIN
John M. Prough, Pennsy Brakeman, Will Likely Die of Terrible Injuries

  John M. Prough, a Pennsy freight brakeman, fell between two section 
of his train while shifting cars at Gallitzin shortly before midnight 
last evening and is in a critical condition at the Altoona hospital.  
His left leg and right hand were amputated, all the fingers of his left 
hand crushed, and he also received terrible body bruises.
  Standing on the end of a gondola, or low freight car, Prough was 
preparing to couple two cars.  His hand slipped from the coupling lever 
and unable to retain his balance he was thrown to the track in front of 
the backing train.
  The wheels passed over his left leg above the knee, severing the 
limb.  His right hand was cut off above the wrist, and all the fingers 
crushed off the left hand at the first joint.  He also sustained 
numerous severe contusions and bruises over all parts of the body.
  He was picked up at once by members of the train crew and placed on 
the east bound train arriving in the city at 12:23 o'clock.  He was 
conscious when admitted to the hospital, but his condition is extremely 
critical, and he is not expected to live.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday Morning, November 17, 1916

Greenwood

  John M. Prough, the Pennsy brakeman who died Friday morning as a 
result of falling beneath his train near Gallitzin, is the youngest 
brother of Mrs. William Colyer.  He was popular among his family and 
friends and his death is a blow to many.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday Morning, November 18, 1916

BRAKEMAN DIES OF TERRIBLE INJURIES
John M. Prough, of 914 Sixth Avenue, Passes Away at Altoona Hospital

  John M. Prough, of 914 Sixth avenue, the Pennsy brakeman, who while 
coupling cars fell to the rails and was run over by his own train at 
Gallitzin on Thursday evening, died at the Altoona hospital at 9:50 
o'clock yesterday morning.
  Although the unfortunate man had his left leg crushed off above the 
knee, his right hand cut off and the fingers of his left hand crushed, 
he was conscious up until the time of his death, which resulted chiefly 
from internal injuries.  The body was received by Funeral Director Otto 
Gilden, to be prepared for burial.
  John Marvin Prough was born in Beavertown, December 3, 1888, the son 
of John H. and Elizabeth Prough, but had been a resident of the city 
for the past ten years.  He had served three years in the United States 
army, being honorably discharged several years ago.  Besides his 
parents he is survived by the following brothers and sisters: William, 
of Lincoln, Neb.; Clement, of Joliet, Ill.; Calvin, who resides in the 
west; Jacob, of Altoona; Mrs. William Colyer, of Greenwood; Mrs. Sarah 
Funk, of Altoona; Mrs. J. C. Harr, of Bedford county; Mrs. L. E. Harr, 
of this city and Miss Celia, at home.  
  The funeral will be held Monday morning at a time to be announced 
later.

Altoona Tribune, Saturday Morning, November 18, 1916

Funeral Notice.

  The funeral of John M. Prough will be held with services at the late 
home, 914 Sixth avenue, at 2:30 this afternoon.  Burial will be made in 
Rose Hill cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, November 20, 1916