Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Ligonier Echo
Wednesday, May 11, 1904
Charles Thomas Instantly Killed
He Fell From Moving Car On P. W. & S. On Mountain
Accident Occurred Thursday
He Was A Prominent Citizen Of Emporium, Pa. At One Time County Treasurer, Has Been A Contractor Here For A Number Of Years The Remains Were Prepared For Burial By Undertaker C. A. Lowry And Sent To Emporium Where The Funeral Took Place Last Sunday
This entire community was shocked last Thursday morning to learn of the instant death of Charles Thomas, of the contracting firm of Thomas & Whiting. The accident occurred on the Somerset side of the mountain about twelve miles from Ligonier. Mr. Thomas and Charles Batholomew had spent the night previous in Ligonier transacting some matters of business and left Thursday morning on the early train of the P. W. & S. for the Somerset
side of the mountain where the logs are being cut and shipped to Ligonier for
manufacture into lumber. On the train besides the trainmen was also Daniel Gross, of Ligonier, who had gone to the mountain to fish but deciding to take a ride on the train, was present at the accident.
All threes men agreed as to the manner in which the accident occurred which was as follows: There were eight cars of the train and men with the train were all standing on the front car when Mr. Thomas told Mr. Gross that they intended switching the front car off on a siding and that he and Gross would go back on to the next car which they did. Mr. Gross walked back to about the middle of the car and Mr. Thomas stopping within about four or five feet of the end of the car. All the men knew of the intention to switch off the front car to the siding. In doing so it is necessary to come forward somewhat rapidly, cut off the car to be switched off suddenly, stop the engine before the other cars reach the switch when the momentum will carry forward the car cut off beyond the switch while
the other cars are stopped before reaching the switch enabling the switchman to turn the switch carrying the train with the engine straight forward. In doing so some jolt is necessary. The jolt in this instance was not great is it did not throw Mr. Gross down who was standing on the same car as Mr. Thomas who was thrown forward on the track in front of the car and the stretching out of the couplings of the cars which had slacked allowed the axles and break-bar of one truck to pass over Mr. Thomas while he was in an attempt to rise up, crushed him breaking one leg in two places and crushing his chest, causing his death within five minutes. He was taken out from under the car between the two trucks by Mr. Bartholomew and Mr. Gross but he never spoke and died almost
instantly.
As soon as Mr. Thomas began to fall Minor Beatty, the firemen, said to George Daniels, the engineer, "There he goes," and the engineer at once reversed the engine but the lengthening out of the coupling caused the one truck to pass over him. None of the trainmen were in the least responsible for the accident, as under the circumstances, it was unavoidable.
The remains of Mr. Thomas were brought to Ligonier Thursday forenoon and prepared for burial at the undertaking rooms of C. A. Lowry and were shipped to his late home at Emporium, Pa., where the funeral took place on Sunday. Mrs. Thomas, her daughter and Mr. Geo. Crawford arrived in town late Thursday night and left with the remains on the early train on Friday morning for their home.
Mr. Thomas was a prominent business man, a contractor for a number of years, served one term in his native county as county treasurer. He was well and favorably known by many Ligonier people who were deeply sorry to learn of his unfortunate death.