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!
Latrobe Bulletin
Saturday, July 6, 1912
Death of Jno. Overton, Jr., Swells Wreck's Death List To 21.
All The Dead Have been Identified. Young Wife Among the Number
(See page three for account of wreck, taken from this morning's extra, with revised list of dead and injured.)
George Guresto, Miner, Dead, Making Total of 22
Walter D. Serena, aged 22 years, teller of the McKeesport National Bank, who was caught in the wreck as he was going to Wilpen to spend his vacation, and who sustained internal injuries as well as a compound fracture of his leg, died in the Wilmerding hospital at 7:10, this morning, his demise increasing the number of fatalities to 20; while, by the death of Master John Overton, the seven year old son of the yard boss at Shenango Furnace, occurring at the Latrobe Hospital at 11:10 o'clock, this morning, the death-list was increased to twenty-one, and the fatalities in the Overton family were increased to three, the husband and father who already had been compelled to see his wife die and his older son succumb, having been forced to drink of the cup of woe to its very dregs, his other son being taken from him.
Mr. Overton who had been rushed to the scene of the wreck, and who had helped in the rescue of his wife and the son who yet lived, bore up bravely at the hospital, last night, though he had just come from seeing his wife breathe her last. But he gave way when told that his other son had died, today.
No hope had been held out for the lad, his left leg having been crushed in a most serious manner, while his foot had been taken off, and his arms and hands badly scalded.
The four bodies, unidentified last night, were claimed by relatives and friends, this morning, the identifications having been made at Lowrey's morgue. The four were:
Mrs. Nettie Gray, of Wilpen. Aged 23 years. Wife of Barnard Gray who is in a critical condition at the Latrobe Hospital.
Roy Boring Gray, her adopted son. Ten years of age.
John Blush, aged 50 years, a miner employed at Wilpen, and a resident of Ligonier.
Frank Hollsman, aged 50 years, of Ligonier. Employed at the mine of the Fort Ligonier Coal Company.
Mrs. Gray and her foster son were on their way to Wilpen, after making a visit with Mrs. Elizabeth Wetmore, of Loyalhanna. Mrs. Gray was related to Joseph Brach who runs a hotel at Wilpen. The young woman and the boy were found dead, their arms about each other, beneath a mass of wreckage early last night. The identification was not made until this morning.
The work of clearing away the wreckage was completed, practically, early this morning, when the track was opened up. It was definitely established that no more bodies were concealed beneath the engine or the tenders.
The two freight engines were wrecked completely.
Condition of Several of the Injured Grave
The Latrobe Hospital is a house of suffering, today, the injuries received by many of the victims of the wreck being of a most painful character, and the scenes in the different wards being extremely pitiable.The four bodies, unidentified last night, were claimed by relatives and friends, this morning, the identifications having been made at Lowrey's morgue.
Several of the cases are very serious, and it is feared that the death-list has not yet been
concluded, doubts being entertained as to the recovery of one or more of the victims of the disaster.
Miss Alice Ritenour, aged 14 years, of Bolivar, is in a very serious condition. Her lung is punctured while the injuries about her head are dangerous.
Bernard Gray's condition is very serious, also, though he is some better today than he was last night. He is suffering from head injuries and from a broken leg.
Philip Halow is in a dangerous state, the injuries about the head being of an alarming character.
Smith Beatty who, it was feared, would not live through the night, rallied from the shock, this morning, and his chances are now considered to be very bright. It developed this morning that his shoulder blade had been broken, in addition to other injuries received.
Mary Helen Peters, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Peters, who had a leg broken at the thigh and the ankle, also an arm, and whose head was badly cut, is restless today, and a specialist has been summoned. Her condition is not deemed hopeless.
Most of the other patients are in a fair way to recover, their fractured bones and
lacerated flesh not constituting injuries likely to prove fatal.
It is because of the many lacerations and abrasions that the suffering is so severe, even among those whose wounds are superficial. What with the flying glass and splinters, and with the rasping of the cinders as face and hands and knees were shot through them, some of the patients are cut and seared in dozens of places.
Dr. Johnson, who was injured about the head, in the collision, was reported as being in a very critical condition, this morning, the internal hemorrhages having continued. But little hope is entertained for his recovery. He has one son, Barton Johnston.
Bernadetta, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Andrews, is in a very serious condition. Her removal to the West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, was directed, this morning. In addition to a fractured hip, the little girl is suffering from a long cut on her leg, a badly crushed foot, and a long cut upon her head.
Word from the Allegheny General Hospital is to the effect that Miss Matthews is not getting along as well as could be desired, the young nurse still suffering greatly from the shock. Conductors Charles Kuhn and Harry Knox, Raymond Ankney and Bernard Copene, all of whom are in the Allegheny General, are getting along nicely, and they are expected to recover, as is William Campbell, who is in West Penn Hospital.
Funeral Arrangements Are Being Made
Arrangements for funeral services are being made, today, by the families and friends of the killed.
The remains of the two little daughters of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rhoddy, Mary Elizabeth and Louise, will be laid to rest Monday morning, following services which will be held at the Rhoddy home in Ligonier, the Rev. C. A. Naumann, pastor of the Ligonier Lutheran church, being in charge. Mrs. Rhoddy collapsed, last night and her condition, this morning, was said to be extremely serious. The wreck has left them with but one child, a son, William.
The funeral of the late John Ankney, who dies as he was being brought to Latrobe, will be held on Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, in the Evangelical church of Ligonier, the Rev. N. Frank Boyer being in charge. The late Mr. Ankney was 35 years of age, the last five of these years having been spent in the employ of the L.V.R.R. He is survived by his widow, by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chris C. Ankney, of Latrobe; four sisters, Mrs. Frank Wilt of Ligonier; Mrs. Kalley Dizert of Huntingdon; Miss Hilda and Miss Zula, at home; and by three brothers, B.G. of Beatty, C. W. of Latrobe; and William McK., at home. Mr. Ankney's injuries included the severing of the right leg below the knee, the crushing of the right hip, and internal hurts.
The bodies of the late Mrs. John Overton and her son, John, Jr., were shipped to Blairsville Intersection, this afternoon, where they were taken in charge by relatives.
Funeral services for Mike Hudock, of Wilpen, who was crushed to death, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Bradenville Catholic church.
Coroner McMurray Promises Most Rigid Investigation
Coroner H. A. McMurray, after spending the night and the morning at Ligonier,
announced, at noon, today, that he intended holding the inquest just as soon as possible, time being put off just long enough to permit of the securing of the witnesses and the gathering of evidence.