OBIT: Bertha SHRAWDER, 1898, Interment in Liverpool, Perry Co., PA

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Killed by Cars in Millersburg.

  Bertha Shrawder, the twelve-year-old daughter of Adam Shrawder, of Perry 
valley, was killed by the cars last Wednesday morning.  We copy the following 
particulars of the accident from the Millersburg papers:
  Wednesday morning Annie Shrawder and twelve-year-old sister, Bertha, went up 
town to do some shopping for their aunt, Mrs. John Snoke, who keeps a boarding 
house on Water street.  After making their purchases the girls separated, the 
older sister going on another errand, and little Bertha started home.  She was 
seen coming down Center hill approaching the railroad with a sun bonnet in one 
hand and a basket of groceries in the other.  Unaccustomed to railroads and 
cars, she had very little idea of the speed of trains, and possibly not seeing 
the Williamsport "Flyer," passenger train No. 20, just then dashing by the 
station, the unfortunate girl ran across the tracks in front of the engine.  A 
single step would have been sufficient to save her life, but she was struck by 
the pilot and hurled a distance of thirty-five feet and instantly killed.  She 
was struck on the right temple and cheek, and her neck was broken.  Several eye 
witnesses were standing close by, but were helpless to prevent the accident.  
Occuparts (sic) of the engine, who observed her approaching the tracks, alleged 
that the girl never turned her head, and the theory is that her attention was so 
absorbed that she failed to observe the approach of the train.  The train was 
stopped and the engineer was deeply moved when he saw the lifeless body of the 
deceased.  In the afternoon, Coroner Krause arrived and with the aid of the 
following jury held the usual inquest:  P. A. Campbell, C. J. Snyder, Isaac 
Miller, O. S. Novinger, S. S. Pick and B. M. Jury.  From the facts brought out 
the verdict was that of purely accidental death.
  The body was taken to the home of the unfortunate girl by undertaker Hoffman, 
of Liverpool, and interred at Barner's church on Friday.  Funeral services by 
Rev. C. C. Bingham, assisted by Rev. E. L. Eslinger.

Liverpool Sun, Newport, PA, Wednesday, October 12, 1898


Tombstone photo can be viewed at: 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/perry/tsimages/barners-mz.htm