OBIT: David LEHR, 1880, Johnstown, Cambria County, PA

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Killed in Johnstown.

  Near midnight yesterday morning an accident happened on the line of 
the Cambria Iron Company's railroad in Johnstown, resulting in almost 
instant death to a young man named David Lehr, and the shocking 
mutilation of his remains.  At the time stated he was sitting on the 
south rail and leaning against a pile of iron which abuts near the 
track, leaving barely enough room for the locomotive and cars to pass.  
Several truckloads of cinder for the filling of the embankment of the 
Somerset and Cambria railroad, above Bedford street, were being backed 
up by an engine.  As it was at night none of the train hands noticed 
that he was sitting on the track, and he was not discovered until the 
entire train had passed over his body.  After the engine cleared the 
body the employes hurried to the scene and found that he had been 
crushed from the left shoulder, diagonally across his breast, and the 
right leg almost severed.  He gave several gasps while they were 
removing him to the side of the roadbed, but it is not probable that he 
realized the least pain, in his sudden transition from life to death.  
The deceased was a son of Mr. A. J. Lehr, for many years a resident of 
Kernville, but who removed with his family to Chestnut Hill, Somerset 
county, some twelve years ago.  His age was about 28 years.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, August 14, 1880