OBIT: Hiram Stover, 1916, Spring Grove, York County, PA

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BODY GROUND TO PIECES

HIRAM STOVER OF SPRING GROVE KILLED BY P. R. R. FREIGHT ENGINE

Stupefied Had Fallen Across Track Tuesday Morning Just Before Train Came By – 
Aged 35 Years – Widow And Four Children Survive.

Falling on the railroad tracks, where he remained helpless, being in an 
intoxicated condition, Hiram Stover, of Spring Grove, was struck by a 
Pennsylvania freight engine and instantly killed, within a hundred feet of his 
home, at 7:45 o’clock Tuesday morning.

Stover, who is employed at the Glatfelter paper mill in that place, reported for 
work Monday evening, but was sent home, being in an unfit condition to work by 
reason of intoxication.  He did not return home, however, and the family thought 
he was at work.  He evidently started for home early this morning, and being 
stupefied, fell on the railroad track, unobserved, and later met death when the 
freight train struck him.

The train on its way from York to Hanover, was in charge of conductor George 
McGinnis, engineer Davis Solvey and fireman Curtis Miller, and rounded a curve 
right at the place of the accident.  Fireman Miller stated he saw the body on 
the tract, but at first mistook it for a newspaper, until too late to signal the 
engineer to stop the train.  The body was cut in two at the abdomen, the lower 
part being carried at least fifty feet up the track, while the upper part was 
mangled in a most horrible manner.  There was a deep cut on the back of his head 
and is face was crushed in such a manner as to be almost beyond recognition.

The dead man was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and four small 
children.  He had been a frequent visitor to Hanover, and had a number of 
friends here.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, May 6, 1916

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TRIED TO BURN HOUSE

Attempt Made By Hiram Stover, of Spring Grove, Before He Met Death

Hiram A. Stover, who was ground to pieces May 2, under a southbound Pennsylvania 
railroad freight train, a short distance east of Spring Grove, is said to have 
made an attempt to destroy his home just a short time previous by applying a 
lighted match to the bed clothing.  The blaze, however, was quickly extinguished 
by members of the family, it is said.

Mr. Stover was buried Wednesday, May 2d, at Lischey’s church, North Codorus 
township.  Several hundred persons attended the services at the church, while 
the body was viewed by many at Senft’s undertaking establishment.  The funeral 
party left the home of his sister, Mrs. Frank Ream, at 1 o’clock.  The service 
at the church were conducted by the Rev. Frederick S. Geesey, pastor of the 
Muhlenberg Lutheran charge.  Interment was made in Lischey’s cemetery.  The 
pallbearers were:  Emory Miller, Joseph Sterner, George A. Elicker and W. C. 
Senft.

Surviving Mr. Stover are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Stover, of North 
Codorus township, and the following children:  Jennie, Hattie, William and John, 
all at home.  Three brothers, Cleon, of North Codorus township; Irwin, and 
Allen, at home, and six sisters, Mrs. Elmira Beck, Mrs. Armana Reynolds, Mrs. 
Ada Ream, of Spring Grove, Mrs. Mazie Kessler, North Codorus township; Mrs. 
Carrie Baublitz, Jackson township, and Lizzie and Lestie, at home, also survive.


The Hanover Herald – Saturday, May 6, 1916