OBIT: James Edward THOMPSON, 1907, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Robert Thompson Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ ANOTHER VICTIM OF NEW SHOP Iron Bar Falls This Morning and Instantly Kills Edward Thompson Another fatal accident occurred at the new machine shop building being erected by the Pennsylvania railroad company above the Twelfth street bridge about 10 o'clock this morning. On the afternoon of May 20 Orville J. Imler fell from the top of the structural iron work, and sustained injuries which resulted in his death a couple of hours later. The victim of this morning's accident was Edward Thompson of Hollidaysburg, who was killed instantly. Thompson, who is a carpenter, was working on the first story of the big building, when an iron angle bar sawed off by a man working on the third story directly above him, dropped and struck him on the back part of the head. Thompson's skull was crushed by the blow, and he plunged forward to the asphalt floor, a distance of between thirty and thirty- five feet. The front part of his head was smashed in and both his legs were broken, death being instantaneous. The body was carried into the P.R.R. storehouse nearby and Coroner Blackburn was notified. After the coroner had viewed the remains they were removed to the morgue of Undertakers Lafferty & John. Thompson had only been working on the job several days and was employed as a boss carpenter. It is said there should have been a bolt on the angle bar, which would have prevented it from falling, but that none was there. The coroner will make a thorough investigation of the accident. The unfortunate man was born in Hollidaysburg, and was aged 34 years. He was a son of Finley Thompson, who resided on East Juniata street. He leaves a wife and two small children, aged 5 and 7 years. He is also survived by his father and three brothers and three sisters - Stehle (sic) of Clearfield, William, Roller, Clayanna, Mary and Bessie of Hollidaysburg. After the body is prepared for burial it will be taken to his late home on Clark street, Hollidaysburg. Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., June 1, 1907 Contributors note: Edward Thompson's birth name was James Edward Thompson and was married to Grace McKendree, brother Finley was born William Finley Thompson and was married to Ada Ellen Snare, brother Stehle [sic] was born Martin Stehley Thompson and was married to Margory Hepburn, brother Roller was born Calvin Roller Thompson and was married to Lucy Flading, Clayanna's middle name is unknown, Mary was born Mary Jane Thompson and Bessie was born Elizabeth Brady Thompson. None of the daughters married.