OBIT: George W. THOMAS, 1919, Gaysport, Blair County, PA

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GAYSPORT MAN RUNS TO TRAIN AND SUCCUMBS
George W. Thomas Dies in Day Coach of Bedford-Cumberland Accommodation.
HAD FINISHED WORK AT LOCAL SHOP

  Entering a day coach of the Bedford-Cumberland accommodation as it 
was leaving the local trainshed at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, 
George W. Thomas, aged 46, of 101 Park street, Gaysport, and an 
employee of Pennsy erecting shop No. 2, collapsed in the aisle and died 
instantly.
  Thomas finished his daily duties at the shop, ran across Twelfth 
street bridge and rushed to the train, just in time to board it.  The 
exertion of the exercise proved too much for his weakened heart, death 
coming after he exclaimed to John Garland, also of Gaysport, "Running 
for a train is harder on me than a full day's work."
  The train continued to Hollidaysburg, where Dr. H. H. Brotherlin, a 
railroad surgeon, was waiting.  He pronounced Thomas dead.  The body 
was taken to his Park street home.  The shopman had been in failing 
health for several years and suffered from diabetes.  The dash over the 
bridge at top speed, when he found he had but five minutes in which to 
reach the train, caused the fatal strain.
  Deputy Coroner C. T. Rothrock, of this city, was called, and viewed 
the corpse last evening.  He stated an inquest was unnecessary, after 
learning the particulars.  Funeral Director Thomas B. McFarland, of 
Hollidaysburg, prepared the body for burial.
  George W. Thomas was born at Roaring Spring, February 28, 1873, and 
was a son of Henry and Maria Thomas, both deceased.  He had been a 
resident of Gaysport for the last ten years.  He was widely known and 
greatly respected, being held in high regard by his fellow shopmen.  He 
was a faithful member of the Hollidaysburg Church of God and Roaring 
Spring lodge of Odd Fellows.
  His wife, nee Miss Nannie Walters, of Bedford county, survives, with 
these brothers and sisters: Mrs. David Smaltz and Mrs. Andrew Feather, 
both of Roaring Spring; Mrs. Annie Dibert, of McKee; Mrs. Martha Woomer 
and Mrs. Elle Greene, both of this city; Mrs. Melcine Garber, 
Huntingdon; Lewis Thomas, of McKee, and Albert Thomas, of Altoona.  
Funeral arrangements are not yet completed.

Altoona Tribune, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1919

Funeral Notices.

  The funeral services of George W. Thomas will be held at his late 
home on Park street, Gaysport, on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, and 
will be conducted by Rev. C. S. Nonemaker, pastor of the Church of God 
of which the deceased was a member.  Interment will be made at Rose 
Hill cemetery, Altoona.

Altoona Tribune, Wednesday Morning, March 26, 1919

Funeral Notice.

  The funeral of George W. Thomas, who died suddenly at the Gaysport 
station, will take place from his late home, 101 Clark street, 
Hollidaysburg, on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.  Interment will be 
made in Rose Hill cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Wednesday Morning, March 26, 1919

Funeral of George Thomas.

  The funeral of George W. Thomas, whose death resulted from heart 
failure, caused by running for a train at Altoona, took place yesterday 
morning from his late home on Park street, Gaysport, and was largely 
attended by the sorrowing friends and relatives of the deceased.  The 
services were conducted by Rev. C. L. Nonemaker, pastor of the Church 
of God, who paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of the departed.  
Following the funeral sermon, Rev. Fasick, of the Methodist church of 
Frankstown, offered up a fervent prayer.  The members of the Odd 
Fellows present then conducted the impressive funeral service of the 
order.  The cortege proceeded to Altoona where interment was made in 
Rose Hill cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Friday Morning, March 28, 1919