OBIT: John PARRISH, 1876, Gallitzin, Cambria County, PA

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FEARFUL ACCIDENT

  A fearful accident occurred on Wednesday morning last, about a mile 
and a quarter from Cresson, on the Ebensburg Branch, in which an 
engineer was killed, and James D. Hopkins, of Hollidaysburg, and others 
badly injured. We condense the facts from the Johnstown Tribune. The 
passenger train due from Ebensburg at Cresson at 7 o'clock, a.m., was 
considerably delayed on account of the snow having drifted at the 
various cuts, and by the time the engineer, Mr. Bart McCabe, of Cambria 
Borough, reached Loretto crossing he was pulling out at a lively rate 
of speed. His train consisted of several freight cars and one passenger 
car, the latter being occupied by Sheriff Baumer, Geo. W. Oatman, Frank 
Oatman, Charles Latterner, E. G. Kerr, Charles O'Donnel, John McGahey, 
Michael Quartz, conductor, and Max Ritter, brakeman.
  Just as the locomotive was rounding the curve the engineer was 
horrified to see another engine and train approaching on the same 
track, and at a very high rate of speed. Before he had time to pull the 
warning signal the two powerful iron horses came together, and the 
scene that ensued, as told by an eye witness, was appalling. They 
crushed into each other until each was a shapeless pile of debris; and 
as the freight cars and gravel trucks came piling up on top of one 
another, owing to the fearful shocks which succeeded the momentum, the 
confusion was indescribable. Beneath the ruins of the locomotive 
attached to the gravel train lay the body of John Parrish, the 
engineer; while wedged up in the broken machinery was his fireman, 
James D. Hopkins, whose left leg was crushed badly, and one of his arms 
much bruised. On the ruins of the other engine Mr. McCabe was lying 
seriously injured, with his face cut in a dozen places, his body very 
much bruised, and a couple of ribs broken. His fireman, Richard 
Humphreys, was standing on the forward portion of the tank, the coal 
having been precipitated upon him until he was buried nearly to the 
waist. Fortunately he escaped with but slight injury. 
  In the passenger car there was also the utmost confusion, as the 
sudden shock of the collision broke the seats from their fastenings, 
snapping them off as if they were so many pipe stems, instead of metal. 
and throwing the occupants forward with a velocity which was suggestive 
of fracturing their respective skulls. The injuries to the gentlemen 
occupying the car were not serious, however, although Max Ritter, the 
brakeman was pretty severely burned by being pitched against the stove, 
while Charles Latterner sustained some ugly cuts about the head and 
face. Conductor Quartz was also slightly hurt by being precipitated 
hastily to the floor. Beyond a general shaking up of their systems the 
other passengers escaped with very slight bruises.
  As soon as possible the dead engineer and his fireman, as well as Mr. 
McCabe and Mr. Humphreys, were removed from the debris by the train 
employees of the gravel cars, none of whom were hurt, and measures were 
promptly taken for the conveying of Hopkins to Cresson - the two former 
being able to walk, although with great difficulty. The surgeon of the 
Railroad Company of Altoona was dispatched for to go to amputate the 
leg of Hopkins, and the operation was successfully performed by Dr's 
Gemmill and Fay, we are glad to inform our readers, that the sufferer 
is getting along well, although he complained of his arm and back, they 
are now better, and we expect in a few months to see our friend Jim 
about the streets again. His leg was amputated above the knee.
  Mr. McCabe was brought down on the Pacific Express, and is now at his 
home in Cambria Borough, where he is suffering very much, while Mr. 
Humphreys was taken to Ebensburg, and will soon be as well as ever. The 
remains of Mr. Parrish were conveyed to his grief stricken family at 
Gallitzin, from whence they will be interred.
  Mr. Parrish, the engineer who met with such a sudden death was aged 
about forty-five years, and was formerly employed in running the Branch 
Train. His home was at Gallitzin, where he had a family. His fireman, 
Mr. Hopkins, had only been in the employ of the company about a month 
and was awaiting a regular job, and, on the morning was put on that 
locomotive in the place of a young man who for some reason was assigned 
to other duties.
  Some party or parties are to blame for this fearful accident, and it 
is said that an investigation will be made into the matter.

The Register, Hollidaysburg, Pa., February 9, 1876