OBIT: Harry JOHNS, 1890, Sang Hollow, Cambria County, PA

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Morning Tribune
Altoona, Pa.
Thursday, November 13, 1890

JUMPED FROM WAY PASSENGER.
How Harry Johns Met His Death Near Conemaugh Furnace.

  The Johnstown Tribune, of November 12, gives the following 
particulars of a horrible accident.  Trainmen give particulars of the 
killing of Harry Johns near Conemaugh Furnace, on the Pennsylvania 
railroad.  About 4 o'clock last evening he boarded the way passenger 
west to go to the furnace.  When near his destination he declared his 
intention of jumping off.  Suiting the action to the word, he made for 
the platform.  Brakeman Duncan grasped his coat and attempted to stop 
him, but without avail, and Johns plunged headlong to the ground.  The 
train was stopped and the trainmen hastened to the prostrate form.  
They found the man was dead.  His neck had been broken.  The body was 
taken to New Florence.  Deceased was a widower and leaves two children.  
Johns was far gone in drink when the accident occurred.

  The story of Johns' fatal leap, as told by the passengers, are very 
conflicting, some saying that he did not intentionally leap from the 
flying train, and others assert that he rolled from the platform while 
in an intoxicated condition and had his brains dashed out when the 
struck the ground.  Conductor Miller, who was in charge of the train, 
states that Johns came out of the second coach staggering in an 
apparently intoxicated condition, and upon reaching the platform where 
Miller was standing said that he wanted to get off and got down on the 
car steps as if to jump.

  The conductor says he seized hold of the man and told him that he 
would meet certain death if he jumped.  He replied that he did not 
care, and commanded him to release his hold.  Seeing that the man was 
determined in his purpose the conductor summoned Brakeman Duncan, and 
with the latter's assistance he succeeded, after much effort, in 
getting him back in the car and placing him in a seat.  In a few 
minutes he noticed Johns coming out again, and met him on the platform.  
He again said that he wanted off and appeared to be intoxicated.  The 
conductor grappled with him and secured a hold on his coat collar.  The 
garment tore and he made a jump from the train.  He struck the opposite 
rail, which dislocated his neck.  The conductor stopped the train and 
went back, but he was dead.  The body of Johns was sent to New 
Florence, and was afterward taken to Sang Hollow, where he lived.  He 
was a middle-aged man and was respectably dressed.  Conductor Miller 
thinks from his appearance Johns was a farmer.