RAILROADS

RAILROADS

This page containS information and pictures on the railroads
that served and were so important to the town of Schuylkill
Haven. The railroads were economically influential from the
late nineteenth century until their collective demise by the
1970s. The trolley system will also be featured.

A Reading freight train at the Union Street crossing
in 1957. Note the signal tower at the right.

A view of the Reading Freight Station in 1958.

A Reading steam engine passes through the
Schuylkill Haven-Cressona yard in 1951. Note
the shops in the background.

The "J" office in the Schuylkill Haven yards in
the 1950s.

This engine was receiving service in the shops at
Schuylkill Haven in 1926. The engine is now part of
the collection of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Reading diesels pull into Schuylkill Haven at the
Williams Street crossing in 1960.

A diesel pulling cars through the Schuylkill Haven
yards in 1953.

An early image at the
Mine Hill Crossing.

All color photos above were reproduced through the
kindness of the late Bruce Kantner of Cressona.

LAST UPDATED: APRIL 29

This image captures the construction of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
trestle at Connors Crossing in 1890. Zoom in and note the men
working on the iron pier in the foreground. In May of 1890 the
Pottsville Republican offered the following:

Preparations are almost completed for the putting up of the Lehigh's big new iron bridge which will cover the turnpike, the
Pennsylvania, the canal, the flat, and the Reading at Schuylkill Haven. The iron work is being received and will be unloaded from the
Pennsylvania tracks by means of large derricks, three of which are already in position. The turnpike is being widened just west of the
arch at Warner's old lock, to make room for a bridge pier. All the work is being pushed to complete the bridge as rapidly as possible.
Several days the later the paper reported: Twenty one car loads of iron for the Lehigh's new bridge have already been received at
Schuylkill Haven and this is just a "sample" invoice.

Pottsville Republican December 3,1891

The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company have erected and are using coal storage chutes below Schuylkill Haven.
Considerable of the unloading of coal is done at night and to make it more convenient and to afford plenty of light and facility for the
performance of the work, the company proposes erecting an entire new electric light plant for that purpose. The machinery and
fixtures are now under construction and will in the near future be in full operation. The storage house is located about one mile below
the Schuylkill Haven borough line and are about four to five hundred yards in length. The day and night employees have to walk this
mile, very frequently in the dark, and it has been suggested that the whole distance from Schuylkill Haven to the storage chutes
should be lighted which would no doubt be an immense benefit to the crews on trains who have to wait along the line. In
conversation with an officer of the company he stated that for the present only a sufficient number of lamps would be erected to
throw sufficient light around the coal chutes.

Pottsville Republican February 9, 1894

At about 7:58 o'clock last evening the jig house at the Philadelphia and Reading Company Coal Storage Yard at Schuylkill Haven was completely destroyed by fire and
the coal stored near by, 6000 tons in one pile, was only saved by the hard work of the men employed by the company and neighbors. The jig house is a complete wreck
and all the breaker machinery, including the engines and the 50 arc light electric machine, was ruined. The loss will reach $30,000.
By 8:05 the flames had burst through the siding and the interior was a mass of flames. Crowds of people began to gather from Schuylkill Haven and Landing ville
shortly after and above the roar of the flames could be heard the shouts of men who were endeavoring to confine the fire and prevent it's spread to the trestle and
immense piles of coal that lay along the mountainside within a few yards of the building.
At 8:10, amid a shower of sparks that resembled some gigantic pyrotechnic display and rose straight up in a column high above the surrounding hills, the roof fell with
a crash distinctly heard a mile away.
As soon as the fire was discovered H. B. Zulick, the superintendent of the yards sent word to Pottsville, and from that time until they left on a special, General
Superintendent Luther was kept posted on the progress of the flames. His first thought was for the coal stored in the yard and he sent word that every effort should be
made to prevent it from catching. The yards have a capacity of 200,000 tons, but they have been shipping from that point recently and there are only about 100,000 tons
in stock. Of this all but a pile of 6000 tons was at a safe distance from the fire. This small pile was less then twenty five yards from the jig house and if the shipping
wharf had burned this coal would have been a total loss.

Supt. Zulick and his men, with the assistance of the people living in the vicinity, worked hard. They could not save the jig house so they turned their attention to the
office, the boiler house, the wharf and the coal pile. They had large pumps there that supplied better streams then fire engines, but the hose gave out and this left them
helpless with the fire eating its way toward the coal. Mr. Luther was notified of this and he immediately sent word for the Humane steamer. A special train was
prepared and Chief Engineer John Bushar ordered out the Good Intent instead of the Humane. This engine was promptly placed on board of a flat car together with a lot
of hose. About twenty five members of the company went down, the train had a passenger coach and General Superintendent Luther was accompanied by Master
Mechanic Mulhoff, Repair Shop Foremen Hoopes, Boss Machinist Frank Leib, Electrician John Sterner, Inspector Edward Cake and Trainmaster Gallus.

The train left shortly after 10 o'clock and on it's arrival in Landingville, the closest station, it was found that the people had succeeded in getting the fire under control
and there was no more danger. The special returned home at 12:30 o'clock.
The jig house is located nearer Landingville then Schuylkill Haven. It is on the west side of the railroad against the hill. Here the coal is screened and washed before it
is sent to market. The coal is stored here to relieve the shipping points and the markets. The works were very complete and at night the building and yards were well
lighted by a splendid Thompson-Houston plant. This plant like all the rest of the machinery is destroyed.
The origin of the fire is a mystery but it is possible that a defective electric light wire caused it. The yard employs thirty men. It is more then likely that the jig house will
be rebuilt as soon as possible as this is an important shipping point.
There was great excitement in the central portion of Pottsville when the word of the fire reached town and the steamer was ordered out and hundreds of men hurried
to Union Street to see the apparatus off and see the special pull out of the yards. Everybody was interested and wanted to help the company save its property.

A TROLLEY RIDE THROUGH SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

The trolley enters town on Willow Street passing homes lining
the way. Note the passing siding on the left.

This series of eleven images below shows the line of
travel through Schuylkill Haven.

The trolley turns south onto Dock Street

The trolley continues on Dock Street past the ice cream parlor.

Continuing on Dock Street, it passes the Christ Lutheran Church.

The tracks turn west from Dock Street onto Main Street
through the business district.

The tracks now turn left from Main Street onto St. John
Street moving south.

The tracks as seen coming from Main Street as they approach
Union Street.

The trolley begins the slight grade up St. John Street from the
Union Street intersection.

The trolley continues past the Methodist church on St. John
Street as it nears the crest of the grade.

The tracks now descend toward the intersection of Williams
Street.

The trolley now travels around the bend onto Liberty Street after
which it will exit Schuylkill Haven and proceed to Adamsdale.

The trolley rounds the turn at the intersection at Adamsdale.

THE DEMISE OF THE PENNSY STATION
These three pictures taken in April 1968 capture the end of the Pennsy Railroad station on
Pennsylvania Avenue. The station was located on the high ground where the Senior Citizen
building now stands.

These images show the Pennsy station in it's glory days.

To the left and below are
pictures of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad trestle which existed at
Connor's Crossing on the edge
of town. Portions of the
stonework still exist.

Part of the story of the
construction of this bridge is
related on this page as reported
by the Pottsville Republican.

This pictures captures the employees at the Reading Car Shops in Schuylkill Haven circa 1900. My great grandfather, Dorie
Nagle, is one of these hard working men. Perhaps one of your ancestors is here too.

This set of five pictures depicts the
last days of the Pennsylvania Railroad
arch that crossed Dock Street at the
intersection of Haven Street.

This set of twelve pictures was taken in June 1964. They show the remains of the
once massive coal storage yards located just southeast of Schuylkill Haven.

Two aerial shots of unknown date show the Reading railroad yards at the northern edge of Schuylkill Haven towards Cressona with
the Alcoa plant on the left.

The four images below show the removal of the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge that
spanned Route 61 (Centre Avenue) at the northern end of town.

Pottsville Republican of March 22, 1906

HE MET DEATH IN THE ENGINE CAB

Two engines sidewiping each other at the Mine Hill crossing at Cressona last night resulted in the death of William Stauffer, engineer
on the storage yard engine No. 718 which was running on the main line. Uninjured and the engineer and fireman of the engine on the
Mine Hill road also escaped without injury. When taken from the cab of his engine, Stauffer was unconscious and was removed to his
home on Chestnut Street in Cressona, where he died about two o'clock this morning.
The main line and the Mine Hill tracks meet at the crossing where the accident occurred and about 8:30 last night the two engines
came along at the usual rate of speed and were unable to stop when the danger was noticed. The cab on the engineer's side of the
main line engine was crushed in like an egg shell and valves broken permitting the steam to pour in volumes into the cab. Stauffer
was caught in the wreckage and badly injured, his leg being crushed and he being rendered unconscious. With difficulty he was
taken from the bath of scalding steam. The scalding he received was the cause of his death. Had he lived it would have been
necessary to amputate the leg.
Deceased was 48 years of age and is survived by a wife and two sons, William and Henry. He was a member of the Masons, the Odd
Fellows and the Jr. O.U.A.M. and one of the best engineers in the employ of the Reading Company. Mr. Stauffer was very highly
respected and esteemed by Cressona people.

Pottsville Republican of June 18, 1923

PENNSY BRIDGE BURNED DOWN

Fire believed to have been started by engine sparks completely destroyed the bridge over the deep cut a quarter of a mile east of
Schuylkill Haven on Sunday at noon, tying up automobile traffic on the short cut to the State road.
The bridge which was almost forty years old and spanned the Pennsylvania railroad collapsed after the fire and for several hours
blocked traffic on the Pennsy.
The Schuylkill Haven fire department responded to a call for aid but the fire had reached such proportions before it was discovered
that the department could do little or nothing to prevent its destruction.

New stories from the Reading Railroad just added:
Another accident occurs at the Union Street crossing, gates are to be
added at all three Schuylkill Haven crossings, freight tracks are removed
at Main Street and a battle to maintain the Railway Express Agency is
fought and won.

Pottsville Republican of June 22, 1888

Fatal Collision on the Pennsy

A terrible and fatal collision occurred on the P. S. V. Railroad directly in front of the Schuylkill Haven freight depot this morning at
three o'clock. It appears that freight train number 674 bound for Philadelphia, Lew Seiders engineer, had orders to take the siding
there and allow an empty coal train for Pottsville to pass. It was necessary to unload two consignments of freight at the depot and
this was done. The engineer was at work under the engine and one of the brakemen had run for the switch when the coal train was
heard coming around the sharp curve at Spring Garden. It is presumed that a brakeman had been sent to guard the track, but this will
be brought out positively at the coroner's inquest. The fireman called for the engineer to get from under as he did not think the
approaching train could be stopped. He did so and after blowing down brakes to warn the trainmen running to destruction the men
took refuge behind the freight depot.
Some of the people living nearby assert that the train was going thirty miles an hour when it rounded the bend, at any rate the
engineer, fireman and the passenger stuck to it, not having time to alight, or from a sense of duty. The crash was terrible, two
locomotives locked in deadly embrace and then as if tired of the battle rebounded at least fifty feet , the empty coal cars coming over
the top of the coal engine and blocking up the space between the two iron monsters. The awful crash over the groans of the
wounded resounded in the early morning air, and the work of rescuing them from the ruins was begun.
John D. Smith, the engineer, twenty five years, was killed. It was 6:30 o'clock this morning before his remains were taken from
beneath the fourteen trucks piled on them, his left leg was broken, his right eye gashed, his feet scalded, but death was probably
caused by a heavy squeeze of the breast; he leaves a widow and children who reside on South Street in Philadelphia. Deceased was
engineer of the "Dinkey" here for four months when the Pennsy first opened. He boarded at Mrs. Van Horn's South Coal Street, and
was universally liked. He belonged to Pottsville Council, Number 17, Order of Chosen Friends, in which his life was insured for $2000,
and also to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, who will give $1500 to his heirs. Deceased was tall, of fine physique, dark
complexion and dark mustache. Mr. Smith was a favorite with everyone who knew him and his death causes much sorrow.
On the engine was Frank Hirshey, a young man about 28 years old, an ornamental painter, whose home was in Philadelphia. He was a
friend of Smith's and rode up on the engine in order to see the county. Being sickly, his intention was to spend six weeks in Pottsville
for the benefit of his health. Arrangements had been made for his reception at Mrs. Van Horn's. He lived but a short time. His lower
limbs were broken in several places.
Charles H. McHenry, or Ettinger, the fireman, was badly scalded from the feet up to his armpits. He was taken to the County
Almshouse, as better facilities for treatment were afforded there. Dr. James Carpenter was down this morning and has hopes for his
recovery. He was a hostler at the Mount Carbon station and boarded at Mrs. Frank Gibbons at the Mansion House. This was his first
trip. He is a young man, probably twenty three years of age and has lots of friends who hope for his entire recovery.
William Martin and George Kirk, both of town were brakemen on the ill fated train and sustained severe bruises. Deputy Coroner Dr.
Palm empaneled a jury and is investigating the accident.
Undertaker Robert Waldron went to Schuylkill Haven this morning early and brought both bodies to his Railroad Street establishment,
from whence they were shipped this afternoon to Philadelphia.
The wreck was not cleared away until noon, and not a main line coal, freight or passenger train arrived or left Pottsville since last
night. Both engines were complete wrecks and at least fifteen coal and freight cars were piled about promiscuously. The coroner's
jury will endeavor to put the blame where it belongs. It is best therefore to withhold judgement until they speak.
A later report regarding McHenry as beyond doubt. His home is in Reading and he will be ready to move there tomorrow. When found
he was pinned to the ground by a car truck which rested upon his breast. It is stated that he was not scalded as severely as first
reported. The testimony of both crews was taken by jury. William Bossler was conductor of the freight train. It appears from the
evidence that the freight train was ordered to enter the siding then and allow the other train to pass. The coal train had orders to
"meet and pass" the local there.
William Martin, Joseph Martin hostler for C. M. Atkins who was front brakeman on the train gave very intelligent evidence before the
jury. He was sitting on the left or foreman's side of the engine. Engineer Smith was standing and Hirshey, the passenger, was sitting
to the rear of Smith on the same side. The fireman was standing on the tender with a hook in his hand puddling the fire. As they
rounded the curve Martin saw the headlight of the other engine and looking over to Smith saw him make an effort to reverse which
apparently failed as the reverse lever again flew ahead and the locomotive made a fresh spurt just as it struck the freight engine.
Martin saw no more of the engineer after that. He felt the cab go to pieces about him and he went over the left side of the engine
with it. One of the fragments struck him on the bridge of the nose breaking a small bone. He lit on his feet and ran just in time to
escape the piling cars which landed exactly where he did. He helped to recover the bodies and afterwards reported his injury to Dr.
Dechert who attended to it. He was about town today receiving the congratulations of friends on his narrow escape.
The testimony of the freight crew show that it was the fireman who ran ahead to turn the switch and also that no one had been sent
ahead to flag approaching trains. The men except the rear brakeman were hard at work unloading material. The tracks were cleared
at one o'clock.

This photo taken on November 9, 1912 shows work being
done on the trolley tracks in Schuylkill Haven on Willow
Street.

When one thinks of railroads in Schuylkill Haven, the Reading
Railroad is most prominent. Officially called the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad, it had a passenger station, freight station, yards
and shops located in town. Below are some images of its presence.

The two pictures above show the car shops located in the
northern area of town. Below are two images of the rail yards
located along the edge of the Island area.

Two views above show the passenger , current home of Borough
Hall while the picture below shows the previous station on that spot.

Two bridges of the Reading Railroad in town were the stone arch bridge
near Main Street and the Red Bridge behind the Liberty Street area.

Pottsville Republican of February 24, 1923

PINE GROVE BUS HIT BY ENGINE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, ONE KILLED, TWO HURT

Clyde Mars, aged 17, of Pine Grove, was killed and Roy Shollenberger, Pine Grove mail carrier, and Curtis Moyer, driver of the Pine
Grove bus, were injured and burned shortly after ten o'clock Friday night when a fast freight train struck the Pine Grove bus at the
intersection of the railroad and Union Street, Schuylkill Haven. The crossing watchman at this crossing of the P and R is off duty after
seven o'clock and there is a slight hill leading to the railroad. It is necessary for autoists to get up speed to make the grade and there
is no view of the railroad until the tracks have practically been reached. Schuylkill Haven residents have been trying to have this
crossing better protected for several years as a number of accidents have happened at this point.
Moyer, the driver of the bus, says that he did not see the freight approaching, as his view of the racks was obscured until he was
right in the middle of them. He says that he knew nothing until the train hit him and then the gas tank exploded. He received a bad
cut over the left eye and body bruises and was taken to the office of Dr. Lenker where his injuries were dressed and then removed to
his home in Pine Grove. He is a son of Edward Moyer, of Pine Grove, who has been making his home with Mrs. Daniel Phillips, of
Schuylkill Haven, a sister, for several months.
The fact that Moyer turned the bus to one side saved him from death as the engine pushed it aside instead of it being thrown
underneath, in which case it would have been ground to pieces before the engineer was able to stop.
The engine struck the bus almost squarely in the center and the car, a Dodge equipped to carry fourteen passengers, was hurled
against the side of a loaded freight car near the crossing. Moyer and Shollenberger were thrown clear of the wreckage by the impact
but they were caught by the flames which burst from the machine as the gasoline tank blew up.
The blaze spread to the freight car which was loaded with autos and it was necessary to call out the fire department to prevent the
flames from spreading to the depot and starting a conflagration. The freight train consignment of autos for Harrison Berger, Schuylkill
Haven, and the cars were badly damaged by the fire in the freight car. The exact amount of damage to the freight is not yet known.
James Knarr, a railroader of Schuylkill Haven, who was standing on the corner waiting to catch a train, said the accident happened so
quickly that it was all over before he knew what had occurred. Charles Guertler, the engineer, said that the first he knew of the auto
was when he saw a light flash. He immediately applied the brakes, but felt the engine strike the bus a minute later. He got off his
train and went to see what had happened and found Moyer, the driver, on the engine. He and his crew helped him down, but were
unable to get any information from him as to whether there were others on the bus.
They went to search and could find only Shollenberger, who was removed to the home of George Schaeffer for treatment.
Shollenberger was burned about the face and neck and also sustained injury to his leg. He was taken to the Pottsville Hospital for
treatment while Moyer who was not so badly injured was removed to his home in Pine Grove.
The presence of a third man on the bus was learned after they had been taken away and a search was started for him. As soon as the
fire department had extinguished the flames an examination of the car was started and Mars' body was found underneath. He was
found under the right mudguard of the blazing bus. He had evidently been eating an apple when the accident occurred as the apple
was tightly clutched in one hand. One leg and an arm were practically burned off and he was horribly burned about the body. He was
taken first into the P and R depot and then removed to Bittle's undertaking establishment.
Dr. Santee gave out the crew of the train as Charles Guertler, engineman, Francis Heffner, fireman, George Kanes, conductor, John
Mease, brakeman and Frank Benseman, flagman. James Cantwell of Pottsville, proprietor of the bus line put on another bus on
Saturday morning and is maintaining his schedule. The bus which was struck was a wreck.
Word was received from Pine Grove shortly after midnight that Mars, a seventeen year old orphan who was living with W. H. Daubert,
his guardian appointed at the death of his parents, went along with Moyer for a ride. He had asked Mr. Daubert if he could go along
with Moyer on the bus but Mr. Daubert refused to let him go, but when he went out, he met Shollenberger who was of his own age
and the two went off with the driver, thinking they would be back shortly. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Charles Sweigert, of
Pine Grove, and Mrs. Argall Sweigert of Cressona.

Pottsville Republican of January 7, 1915

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN CUT IN TWAIN

Failure to put a blue signal on the track in front or behind the car on which he was working as required by law, Francis Emerick of
Schuylkill Haven, aged forty five years, was cut in twain at the Pennsylvania railroad yards in Mount Carbon on Sunday morning shortly
before nine o'clock. He died in five minutes. Emerick was behind the car and the shifting engine threw two cars against the car
under which Emerick was working and he was pinned beneath the front wheels which went over him. Working with him was Charles
Dress, also of Schuylkill Haven, and Dress went away for a simplex tube and while he was gone the accident occurred. The car under
which Emerick met his death was shopped for having a defective lock pin. Emerick, a car inspector and general handy man,
considered one of the most valuable men at the yard, noticed the marks of defects and started to work in repairing the car. Emerick
is a widower and has two married sons, one living in Schuylkill Haven and the other in Tamaqua. Yardmaster C. R. Hughes conducted
an investigation and the coroner will hold an inquest within a few days.

Pottsville Republican of May 30, 1899

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SHOPS FINISHED

The Schuylkill Haven Philadelphia and Reading car shops were finished on Monday and turned over to the company. The tracks are
now being ballasted by Supervisor J. E. Turk. The shops are located on the old Schuylkill Navigation landing, which allows plenty of
room for repairs and new work. Three thousand cars are to be equipped with air as soon as the shops are underway, which in itself is
considerable of a job. It is expected that work will commence here in a couple of weeks. David Runkle will be the foreman. He holds
the same position now at the old shops.

Pottsville Republican of July 3, 1899

A FLAG RAISING - Old Glory Hoisted Over the New P $& R Shops at Schuylkill Haven

The citizens of Schuylkill Haven and Cressona and their vicinities have additional cause to celebrate at the anniversary of our nation.
The new P & R shops recently erected were formally dedicated this afternoon at three o'clock. One of the exercises upon that
occasion was the unfurling of Old Glory to the breeze above the buildings. Speeches were made by C. E. Berger, Dr. Daniel Dechert,
Dr. Charles Lenker, A. A. Hesser, superintendent of the Mine Hill Division of the Reading and Isaac Paxson, another official of that
company. The Schuylkill Haven band was present to render music appropriate to the occasion. The many patriotic sentiments
expressed by the speakers and the patriotic strains of the band were vociferously applauded. But when the folds of the emblem of
the free were unfurled and its beautiful colors, which signify so much, were displayed, the cheers of the assembled throng filled the
air. The exercises were given under the auspices of the employees of the Reading headed by David Runkle and C. V. B. Deibert,
foremen. Prominent officials of the company were present to witness the ceremonies. Refreshments were subsequently served.
This shop is a structure covering an area 400 by 30 feet. It is of frame and is two stories high. Work was begun on the excavations
early last spring and the work of erection was rapidly pushed to a completion. Here repairs will be made to cars and engines in the
future. The shops will give employment to hundreds of men in their several departments. It is located at a point near the Mine Hill
crossing and runs parallel with the main line. Everything is now completed and its early operation is expected.

Pottsville Republican of May 1, 1899

HORRIBLY MANGLED - Unknown Man Cut to Pieces by a Pennsy Near Seven Stars

A horrible accident occurred on the Pennsylvania Railroad early this morning by which an unknown man was killed instantly and his
body mangled in a most horrible manner, by being struck by a freight train that was booming along at a lively rate. The body was
strewn along the track and presented a sickening sight. The pieces of body were gathered and taken to the county almshouse at
Schuylkill Haven. In the man's vest pocket was found a note with the name "Stykes of Shamokin" written on it. Deputy Coroner C. A.
Veith has taken charge of the remains and will hold an inquest tomorrow afternoon.

The unfortunate man was run over by the local freight that leaves Mount Carbon yards at 2:50 but she was over a half hour late. A
portion of the remains were carried on the track from the Seven Stars to the Lehigh Bridge. A letter was found in the pocket
addressed "Dear Father", and signed, Nerva Sietz, 1014 Washington Street, Shamokin. The deceased had stiff gray hair, small eyes
and small features. Deputy Coroner L. W. Brown, of Cressona, empanelled a jury, reviewed the body and ordered the remains sent to
the almshouse, where the inquest was finished this afternoon. Yardmaster Deissinger sent a message to Shamokin asking for
information.

Pottsville Republican of July 11, 1895

ONE MAN KILLED - And Two Probably Fatally Injured at Schuylkill Haven

Daniel Dailey, aged sixty years, was instantly killed, Frank Schwartz, aged sixty, had two legs crushed and George Berger, aged forty
five years, had one leg mangled by an accident at the P & R railroad shops, Schuylkill Haven this afternoon at three o'clock. They
were putting in a draw dead when a draft of cars, being pushed on another track, jumped the track, striking the car upon which the
men were working, with the above result.

Pottsville Republican of December 1, 1919

KILLED AT LANDINGVILLE STORAGE YARDS

Adam Burkert, a highly esteemed and well known resident of Schuylkill Haven, was instantly killed this morning at the Landingville
storage yards of the P and R Company. How the accident occurred is not definitely known, but it is thought that Mr. Burkert attempted
to board a draft of moving cars, fell under the wheels and was crushed to death. He was foreman at the yards and his lifeless body
was found by other workmen.
Mr. Burkert was respected by all who knew him. He was a consistent member of Grace U. E. Church, having been treasurer of both
the church and Sunday school. He lived on Saint John Street and was sixty five years of age. He had three sons and one grandson,
in the recent war, one son Isaac, having been killed in France. His wife died a number of years ago. He is survived by the following
children: Mrs. Frank Batdorf, Reading, Mrs. George Downs, Philadelphia, Mrs. Harry Becker, Mrs. Ralph Jacoby, Charles, Harry,
Frederick, Warren and Miss Eva, all of Schuylkill Haven. He had been in the employ of the P & R Company for many years.

Pottsville Republican of May 7, 1919

BOY KILLED IN COSTLY WRECK AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

A boy, about fourteen years of age, believed to be from Virginia, and who had come to Saint Clair for the purpose of seeing the coal
regions, was killed when a disastrous wreck occurred Wednesday evening about five o'clock below the Williams Street crossing in
Schuylkill Haven.
Engine 1605, with a Port Richmond crew on it, coming from Saint Clair with a loaded train of sixty five cars for Bridgeport, while
rounding the curve below the crossing, burst a wheel on one car, derailing the car and eleven or so other cars behind it, scattering
them all over the railroad. The ties on the north and southbound tracks were torn up for a considerable distance. A number of the
loaded cars were thrown bodily on the opposite track and dumped the contents of the cars on the railroad.
The boy who was riding on the train between the cars was caught and badly mangled. The body had the appearance of being crushed
and he must have been killed instantly when the cars left the rails. There was nothing found upon the body that would lead to his
identity, nothing but a small Sunday school paper, with large letters, "Jesus Saves". Coroner G. H. Moore of town was summoned to
view the remains of the boy and O. A. Bittle, undertaker, removed it to his establishment on Main Street. The boy seemed to be a
stranger in this part of the country and it is said that some of the railroad men asked him where he was going when he was
discovered riding on the train. He gave the name of his home somewhere in Maryland.
The Reading and Mahanoy Railroad wreck crews were called to the scene of the accident, but the work of clearing the tracks was very
slow and difficult on account of the position some of the cars were strewn into. The big steam derricks broke several heavy chains
trying to throw the cars from one track to the other making it very dangerous to be in close proximity of the wreck.
The Pottsville express trains came up the line as far as the wreck and transferred their passengers to a train waiting for them at
Williams street crossing. The 9:34 passenger train also came up the line as far as the wreck and transferred their passengers, having
Company H on board. While the transfer of Company H was being made, and the Pottsville boys were marching up the street, they
were instantly recognized by the large crowd of people looking at the wreck and a general rush was made for the boys to shake hands
with them and give them a royal welcome, but the time was limited. They were entrained and on their way to Pottsville in a few
minutes after leaving the local station. Both tracks being blocked by the wreck, the midnight trains, called "The Buffaloes" had to be
detoured and got around by way of Little Schuylkill and Tamaqua to get to Pottsville.

SAD
DEATH
OF
FRANK J.
HEIM

At left is a picture of a
stock certificate issued for
the Mine Hill and Schuylkill
Haven Railroad Company
in 1869.

Pottsville Republican of February 14, 1916

PETITION FOR OLD EMPLOYEES

Preparations are being made in Schuylkill Haven to have a petition issued in that town to ask Superintendent Keffer, of the Reading
Company, to provide work for the old employees at the car shops and also to have some work for those at work at the present time
there who are in poor circumstances. It is said that there are a number of men now employed at the car sops who have large families
depending on them, and even though they were to secure work at the Saint Clair shops, where the largest part of the work on
repairing cars is to be done hereafter, their salaries would be comparatively small after the car fare and other expenses were
deducted. It is expected that the petition will be issued some time during the early part of the week, and every merchant and resident
of that town for any length of time will be asked to sign the petition.
The merchants and general public in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona understand the conditions as explained to Superintendent
Keffer, that there is not the proper equipment at the Schuylkill Haven car shops for the repairing of steel cars and as the greatest
number of the cars are now steel, it is admitted that the only thing left for the company to do is to move a part of the work to the saint
Clair shops. But it is asked that those employed for so long a time at the Schuylkill Haven shops and known as veteran employees be
given some work there, and that the company establish as large a
plant there as they can possibly do under the conditions.
A great deal of sympathy is expressed for the residents of Schuylkill Haven who were employed at
the shops. It is a hard blow for many of them who know no other trade. Many, some years ago, purchased their own homes in that
town and have been for years and are at the present time paying off amounts each month in an effort to a clear title in a few years.
The car shops, when they are on full working time, are a great boon to the town and the cutting off of even part of the shops will be a
severe jolt to Schuylkill Haven.

Pottsville Republican of February 19, 1914

WATCHMAN SMOTHERED BY GAS IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOX

Chief Burgess Terrence Goulden, of Mount Carbon, employed as an extra crossing watchman by the P and R Railroad Company, was
found dead in the watch box at the Main street crossing in Schuylkill Haven at 5:50 o'clock Thursday morning by Watchman Petery of
Connors Crossing, who happened to be passing at the time on his way home and was attracted by the smell of gas apparently coming
from the watch box. Opening the door, he saw watchman Goulden in a lifeless condition, not responding to the efforts made to
arouse him. The day watchman, also an extra man, arriving at this time, Watchman Petery turned the body over to him and going to
the office of ex-Burgess Hartman, nearby gave the alarm Coroner Moore, who lives in Schuylkill Haven, was notified and quickly
responded at the same time as Dr. Lessig. The small structure is about eight feet square and the same height.
Investigation led to a statement that gas entered the watch box from beneath the floor and that it came from a break in the gas main
which was discovered only Wednesday, and the belief of some at Schuylkill Haven, Thursday morning was that the gas worked its way
underground to the watch box with the fatal result to the watchman, while a few adhere to the stove coal gas theory. Not only that but
it is said the gas was responsible for the illness of the two regular crossing watchmen, both of whom are off duty. The coroner fixed
upon Friday evening as a time for an inquest, after selecting a jury and he determined to hold an autopsy for the purpose of
ascertaining whether death was due to natural causes.
Terrence Goulden was about thirty five years of age, and had been a railroader for some years before he was caught in a storm and
cripples by the freezing of his feet. He was unmarried and an agreeable, popular man, who had many friends. He made his home with
his sisters, Miss Annie and Miss Catherine Goulden, of 948 South Centre Street, Mount Carbon, in the Goulden homestead, where
their parents, the late John and Annie Goulden lived for many years. The father was a railroad engineer for years. The body was
brought to Pottsville on the passenger train and was taken in charge at the Reading station by undertaker Heiken who removed it to
the home of the Misses Goulden, from where the funeral will take place with requiem high mass in saint Patrick's church, Terrence
having been a member of that congregation and the Holy Name Society.
Those who adhere to the theory that death was caused by illuminating gas say that when the old hotel building which stood at the
southwest corner of the crossing was torn down to make way for the new coal yard, one of the gas pipes was plugged after being cut
and that this plug probably became loosened through the hammering of constantly passing trains and that the gas in escaping found
an entrance into the watch box, the flow probably increasing as the plug became more and more loosened.
Wednesday evening was the first shift that Goulden worked. The other two watchmen, one by day and the other by night, were taken
off on Wednesday and Goulden was sent to take the place of the night man. It took the call boy several hours to locate Goulden and it
was only a short time before regular working time that he was located. In the last election in the borough of Mount Carbon, Goulden
was elected Chief Burgess. A brother John met death through a railroad accident on the P and R several years ago.
Coroner Moore went to the Heiken morgue, to which place the body had been taken instead of to his late home and that of his sisters
in Mount Carbon. The coroner and Dr. J. A. Lessig of Schuylkill Haven, examined the body and according to outward indications,
Goulden had been a robust healthy man aside from the fact that he had lost both feet some years ago in the manner described. Dr.
Lessig performed an autopsy on the body and will submit his report at the inquest to be held at the coroners Schuylkill haven office
on Friday evening.
At the inquest, the evidence of Petery, the man who found the body, that of G. W. Kramer, the extra crossing watchman, who was one
of the first to see the body, he having arrived at the crossing shortly before six o'clock to relieve Goulden, the night watchman, and
the testimony of a man named Bittle, Raymond McKeon, Frank Heim, William Brennan, Ralph Mayberry and Edward Kear, all of whom
were among the first to arrive on the scene, will be heard along with that of Dr. Lessig and the stories of other witnesses who may
clear up the mystery of the alleged gas leak.
Dr. Moore, on opening the watch box door to enter at 6:30 o'clock, detected the odor of what he believed to be illuminating gas, and
others noticed the same scent. The body of Goulden was seated on a chair and his hands were gloved as if he was ready to leave the
box on the approach of a train or locomotive. There was vomit on the floor and on one shoulder of his coat indicating that he
suffered from nausea. The body of the victim was taken home after the autopsy. A sister and another relative had gone to Schuylkill
Haven on receiving the sad news of his death and they accompanied the body on the way to Pottsville and until it was turned over to
the undertaker.

Pottsville Republican of October 29, 1921

GIRL, RUN OVER BY TRAIN, GETS UP RUNS AWAY

A little girl from Berne Street, Schuylkill Haven, daughter of W. Webber, crossed the P and R tracks after a coal train had passed
stepping directly in front of the Mine Hill passenger train. She was knocked down and the engine and two cars passed over her. A
number of men, who were loitering at the P and R depot, and who had turned their eyes away from the sight, then hurried to pick her
up and to their amazement the child jumped up and ran away unhurt. At the time her name could not even be gotten as she sped
across the bridge toward her home. Railroad men say her escape was miraculous.
miraculous.

Pottsville Republican of September 12, 1925

MAN FELL FROM BRIDGE - At Schuylkill Haven - Had Tried to Enter Almshouse

A man giving his name as J. Hoke from Minersville, sustained a broken hip and broken cheek bone and a number of minor injuries
when he jumped or fell from the high Lehigh Railway Embankment at the Garfield Avenue arch at Schuylkill Haven. He rolled down the
embankment and off the arch, dropping twenty five feet to the street. He had been to the Almshouse to gain admission, having no
home, but did not have the necessary commitment papers and so was refused admission. He then walked in on the railroad to
Schuylkill Haven. He seemed greatly discouraged and wished to die.

Pottsville Republican of April 23, 1915

TROLLEY AND AUTO COLLIDE

On Thursday evening, the nine o'clock car leaving Schuylkill Haven, in charge of Motorman Thomas McGovern and was damaged and
the handles torn off of the car so that another car was secured when Pottsville was reached. The auto which was also badly damaged
but not enough to stop or injure the engine, was kept straight on its path. The conductor could not get a glimpse of the number as
the driver started out again as his auto slid away from the car after striking it. The accident delayed this car almost half an hour.

Pottsville Republican of April 15, 1938

FIND THREE TOTS ON ENGINE PILOT

Just after the P and R shuttle passenger train which plies between Pottsville and Port Clinton, pulled out of Schuylkill Haven early last
evening, it was discovered that three children ranging in age from two to four years of age were on the pilot of the engine. It was the
train Number 96 due here at 7:09. The children clambered to their dangerous perch just before the train left the Union Street
crossing. The engineer saw them in time and brought the train to a standstill. The youngsters scampered away. Their identity was
not learned. The train was in charge of Conductor George M. Stephenson and Engineer George Steck of this city.

The Call of April 15, 1927

HAVEN YOUTH BADLY HURT

When his head was caught between the flywheel and the brake on the elevator at the Landingville Storage Yard, on Thursday
afternoon, Joseph Kehoe, a popular young man of Schuylkill Haven, was severely injured, an X-ray showing that he had a fracture at
the base of the skull. Kehoe is employed inside the building at the yards and was operating the elevator. The rope broke and
although the machinery automatically stopped, the weight of the coal was sufficient to cause it to run back and Kehoe was caught. His
condition is serious but it is expected that he will recover, his condition on Friday being good. He makes his home with an aunt and
uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Heidenway, of Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven. About a year ago, his father Joseph Kehoe Sr., had his foot crushed
while performing his duties as a brakeman on the shop crew and had to have his toes amputated. He is just at present preparing to
return to work, his injury having now healed properly.

LEHIGH VALLEY
RAILROAD

This page is structured by grouping all pictures and articles by railroad. The Reading Railroad is first including the storage
yards south of town. The Pennsylvania Railroad and Lehigh Valley Railroads then follow. Trolley pictures and news is then
presented as it related to Schuylkill Haven.
Please note: Schuylkill Canal information previously on this page now has its own page.

READING
RAILROAD

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad operated a large coal storage yard just south of Schuylkill Haven
near Landingville. Today the remnants of the yard can be seen if one looks closely. The history of that
operation follows in pictures and articles.

READING RAILROAD STORAGE YARDS

PENNSYLVANIA
RAILROAD

Tragedy was no stranger on the Pennsy...

MORE TROLLEY
IMAGES IN TOWN

Pottsville Union Traction Co’s double truck open car nick named “The Highball” by the local
patrons, photographed just past the dam breast at Adamsdale Park where the track crossed
the road on the way to Orwigsburg. The car body was acquired second-hand from an Indiana
company and mounted on trucks removed from a closed car during the summer season. It
was quite unique because it did not have the usual narrow running boards that could be
folded up when running. This car had a ridged upper running board with railing and a center
lower step. On both sides. Normally the right side in the direction of operation is folded down
(for loading) and the left hand side folded up to prevent boarding. On this car, both sides are
rigid and this creates a “wide” car. It effectively limited the car to a rural run with minimal
vehicular street traffic. It was used mostly between Sch. Haven and Orwigsburg during the
summer season when Adamsdale Park was open.

At left, work crews are shown clearing snow from the trolley tracks at the corner of Main and Dock
Streets. At right, a snow sweeper and workers are shown in front of Saint James Episcopal Church on
Dock Street at Paxson Avenue. Both pictures are circa 1920 and were taken by John A. Moser, the East
Penn's claim agent in Schuylkill Haven.

A streetcar navigates through the snow on Dock Street as it
approaches the intersection with Coal Street. The steeple of
Christ Lutheran Church is visible on the left. This streetcar
was one of the East Penn’s newest cars, acquired in 1921.
This would be the big snowstorm of 1925. This photo is also
by John A. Mower.

The four photos above were kindly provided by Lewis Hoy, descendant of Schuylkill Haven's entrepreneur, P. T. Hoy.

This early image shows a crew unloading coal
from a railroad car at the coal storage yard on
the Schuylkill Mountain .

A view from a coal storage pile showing the
yard office to the left and scale house to the
right with Sculp’s Hill in the background.

In 1921, a conspiracy trial was held at the county courthouse involving the Schuylkill Haven
lodge of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. These articles unveil the trial and the verdict.

Pottsville Republican of June 22, 1921

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BROTHERHOOD CASE AGAIN GOES ON TRIAL
At 3:30 o'clock, fifteen of the twenty eight men who voted swore that they voted for Wolfe.
This gives him a majority.

The most important case of the week was called shortly before noon Wednesday, when the Brotherhood case of Schuylkill Haven, in
which Jeremiah Casey and Daniel Reilly are charged with conspiring to reverse the returns of the election of that lodge, was called.
The case was started last term but met an early end when objections were raised to statements made by the attorney for the
Commonwealth.
The men on trial were tellers at the election and they are charged with reversing the returns, it being alleged that a 17-11 vote out of
28 was completely turned around. Over a score of witnesses have been subpoenaed in the case to testify in the proceedings both
during and after the election.
The first break in the vote as returned came when Howard C. Herman swore he voted for Wolfe, making the eleventh vote. The return
of the vote by the tellers showed ten for Wolfe. He stated he spelt the name "Wolf". The defense offered to show there was a slate
and that the voting was done prior to the treasurership and that his man was defeated. John Honicker, who made the first objection
to the vote, swore he voted for Wolfe. Mr. Honicker testified he was in the room when the voting was going on. He said the secretary
announced the vote 10-18 in favor of Monaghan.
Charles Blacker stated he voted for Wolfe. "I vote it Wolfe", he answered in reply to a query. Blacker stated the ballots were still on
the altar when he left. Mr. Blacker also stated that he did not hear Reilly say anything. He stated he kept tally of votes as the record
was kept. It was produced in court. It was objected to being offered and the court sustained the objection. Mr. Blacker also testified
regarding the same incident of Casey laying the one ballot aside as related by Mr. Connors. Raymond Carl, the next witness, stated
he voted for Wolfe.
Maurice Connors, president of the Brotherhood, who presided at the meeting in question, testified that he appointed Casey and Reilly
tellers and that Casey took the ballots out of the box and read a name off, Reilly later verifying the count. W. A. Wolfe was M. J.
Monaghan's opponent for the office of treasurer and it was on this office that the claim was made the shifting was done.
Another member in the room at the time, Earl Delker, testified that he kept a tally of the votes as they were called off in his note book,
but that he did not have the note book with him. He testified that he saw Casey lay one ballot aside because he could not read the
name and that after the balance of the votes were counted, he picked the ballot up and with little hesitation called it off for
Monaghan. Both Connors and Delker testified that the ballots which were laid on the altar during the count were later thrown in the
waste basket.
At the opening of court this afternoon, Mr. Knittle, after announcing that the Commonwealth was unable to produce the ballots asked
leave to offer secondary evidence by offering the evidence of the members. The defense objected on the grounds that no attempt
was made to follow the ballots further than the waste basket. The court overruled the objection at this time without prejudice,
announcing that it would suggest that the disposition of the waste basket be shown. The defense argued that this should be shown
first, but the court announced it would not lay down the rule.
Roy Jones, the witness on the stand, stated he did not remember who he voted for. Mr. Jones also denied hearing Reilly remarking,
"Well count them if you want to", when objection was made to the vote. Earl Delker was asked how he voted. Delker swore he voted
for Wolfe. He wrote the name "Wolfe" on the ballot. He also stated he voted for Mr. Kelly. He was on your slate, wasn't he, asked the
defense. I had no slate replied Delker.
Hulet, outside guard, also voted Wolfe. Hulet was asked to write the name on a slip which he did. Louis Delker swore he voted
"Wolfe. It was the sixth vote for Wolfe sworn to. Delker stated there were two candidate for each office, president, secretary,
treasure and three or four physicians. He testified he saw the ballots on the altar the last he saw them.
Charles M. Chattin stated he voted for Wolfe. He testified he did not remember the tally on the president and secretary vote but that
he kept one which he had at home. He said he did not remember whether the vote for president was 20-8 or not. He said he thought
that vice president was 19-9. He also stated he believed the secretary vote was 17-11. Chattin also testified he did not promise to
vote for Wolfe before the election. I did not know who the candidates were until I got to the meeting, Mr. Chattin stated. Clarence J.
Beaver, the next witness, testified he voted for Wolfe.

Pottsville Republican of June 23, 1921

BROTHERHOOD CASE READY FOR THE JURY

The taking of testimony in the conspiracy case brought against the tellers of the Schuylkill Haven lodge of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen was practically completed when the court adjourned at noon and it was finished at 3:30 o'clock when it went to the
jury. The efforts of the counsel for the defense to have the indictment quashed were denied by the court at the opening of the
morning session and the testimony of the defendants and number of the character witnesses was then taken.
Charging that no evidence had been produced to show that Reilly and Casey had an agreement to defraud Wolfe of the election, the
attorneys for the defense applied for the quashing of the bill. Mr. Burke arguing for the quashing of the bill, claimed that no unlawful
conspiracy had been shown or any prearrangement or conference disclosed. The bill charging the offense, however, charged the
men with conspiracy between themselves and other diverse persons unknown. The court also inquired if Casey called off the names
incorrectly what was Reilly's duty. We will concede, said Mr. Burke, that it was Reilly's duty to call attention to a mistake but that in
itself is no evidence of conspiracy. You claim, said the court, that the Commonwealth must prove prearrangement. Yes, replied Mr.
Burke. I will permit you to argue that point, said the court, but I do not feel that is the law. The court overruled the motion to quash.
The Commonwealth closed its taking of testimony on Thursday morning after hearing testimony from George W. Zeh, in charge of the
K of M rooms here, to the effect that the waste basket used by the organizations were emptied each Friday afternoon and that the
probabilities were that the ballots used at the election were thrown into the general garbage can.
Zeh's testimony followed that of eighteen witnesses who were called in support of the contention that Walter A. Wolfe had received
eighteen votes at the election instead of Monaghan, who was declared elected, precipitating the legal fight. Roy Jones, the first
witness called, testified that he did not remember how he voted but when the poll had been completed on Wednesday evening,
seventeen men had sworn they had voted for Wolfe. They were examined in detail regarding the vote. The list of witnesses who
stated they voted for Wolfe were Harry C. Schrodding, William Huy, John L. Geiger, Michael Zelinsky, John W. Hoy, George E. Sheriff, in
addition to the eleven brought out in Wednesday's testimony as published by the "Republican". Dr. James C. Gray, of Cressona, was
the first witness called for the defense. He testified as to the good character of Mr. Casey.
William Berger, Justice John Springer, Walter Grieff, George Berger, David Bittle, Constable Frank Reiger were called on Mr. Casey's
behalf. Mr Reiger denied ever knowing of a brawl in which Casey was stabbed. Mr. Moyer, with whom Casey had worked a score of
years ago, Albert Sterner and Elmer Butz completed Casey's character witnesses. John Cantwell, of Port Carbon, was the first witness
called on Reilly's behalf. Robert Jones, Edward Dewitt, Thomas Collins, George Schumacher and M. P. McLaughlin were called for on
Reilly's behalf.
Jeremiah Casey then took the stand. He stated he started to work on the railroad in 1901. He stated he got to the meeting at two
o'clock in the afternoon. The meeting was for the annual election of officers and Maurice Connors presided. When we came to the
election of officers, myself and Daniel Reilly were selected as tellers, the announcement occurring in open meeting. The first officer
elected was president. The nominations were made all at one time. Casey denied there was any arrangement for the appointment of
Reilly and himself as tellers. I had not spoken to Reilly for a year declared Casey. I distributed the blank ballots and then I collected
them. I read them off and handed them to Reilly. We got the slips from the treasurer's desk. Some of the members had their own.
The men wrote the names of the men they voted for on the slip and put them in the hat. This was the method used from 1907 and the
election was conducted in the usual way.
Reilly denied any arrangement to be appointed as teller. Did you have any arrangement with Casey as to how the ballots were to be
read and counted, asked Mr. Burke. No, replied Mr. Reilly. Reilly denied having any conference or talk with Casey prior to the
meeting. It was almost a year since I had been there stated Reilly. We had no conference before we were appointed. On cross
examination Reilly admitted Honicker had alleged the election was wrong and that he had seen Connors send him away. Yet you saw
those ballots put away and in the waste basket and didn't make any effort to preserve them. No sir. You knew the ballots were right,
didn't you, asked the defense. I did replied Reilly. No one else tried to get them out, did they? No sir. Mr. Honicker was recalled and
asked who nominated Kelly for secretary. I don't remember stated Mr. Honicker. Who nominated Jones? I do not know.
Earl Delker was recalled and he stated he nominated Mr. Kelly. He stated he did not know who nominated Jones. He said he heard
the result on Jones and Kelly, which was announced 17-11. Was there any protest about that election? No sir, replied Delker.

Pottsville Republican of June 24, 1921

FRONT PAGE TOP HEADLINE:
JUROR APPROACHED IN RAILROAD BROTHERHOOD CASE, COURT IS TOLD
NOT GUILTY VERDICT IS ANNOUNCED
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty but pay the costs. The jury was out less then a quarter of an hour, the second time after
having reported to the court efforts to approach a juryman. The jury in the case in which Daniel Reilly and Jeremiah Casey are
charged with conspiracy to deprive Walter A. Wolfe of the election as treasurer in the Schuylkill Haven lodge of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen threw a bombshell into court room number three this morning when they sent a communication to the court stating
"we are unable to come to a verdict on the grounds of a member of the jury being approached" and we ask the court to give us legal
advice on the matter.
Arthur Roman, juror number six after the jury had been brought into court and informed that it was the duty of the jurors to tell all they
know of the matter, providing it did not have anything to do with influencing their verdict, took the witness stand and swore that
Frank Chywski of Saint Clair had approached him on Wednesday evening at his place of business and endeavored to talk to him about
the case, but that he refused to have anything to say to him, finally walking away.
The court ordered the communication of the jury and the testimony of Roman put on the record and then instructed the jury to return
to their room. Attorneys for the defense after the jury left the room objected to the placing of the communication from the jury on the
record alleging that they did not have the proper opportunity to examine it before it was read in open court. I did not mean that you
should have, replied the court. The defense then moved for the withdrawal of a juror and the continuance of the case. This the court
refused to do reciting the decision in the Fifth Ward murder case in Philadelphia, where testimony regarding embracery had been
taken during the trial of the case and in which the Supreme and Superior courts upheld the procedure.
Hereafter declared the court, in every case of this kind that comes up we will proceed publicly and openly. The jury went out at 3:30
Thursday afternoon and reports at the courthouse this morning were that they had a stormy session of it at frequent intervals during
the night. The jury when it came in was somewhat bedraggled and the court informed the members of the jury that he had received a
communication. Passing the paper over to the foreman, Thomas Bevan, through Mr. Burke the court asked Mr. Bevan if he had
written it. Mr. Bevan replied that he had. Mark it as an exhibit ordered the court. The court then proceeded to read the
communication.
We do not want any names mentioned the court cautioned the jury in the preliminary questions. Mr. Bevan informed the court that
the matter was one that did not involve any coercion of the jury as far as the evidence or the legal advice was concerned and then
the court announced that if anyone spoke to anybody regarding this case it is your duty under your oaths to rise in your place and
take the stand and tell what you know.
Arthur Roman then took the stand and was sworn. Did anyone speak to you regarding the case, asked the court. Yes replied Roman,
on Wednesday night. Was that after you had been sworn, asked the court. Yes, replied Roman. A man came into my place of
business and said that he understood that I was on the case but he said nothing further. Later another man came in to me and said, I
understand you are on such and such a case. I understand you are a juror. I replied yes, stated Roman, and then he attempted to talk
to me about it. He said, I want to speak to you about it, but I replied, "nothing doing". He then attempted to speak to me again but I
walked away from him to the other end of the room and then he went out. There was nothing said further. Who was the man, asked
the court. Frank Chywski, replied Roman. Spell it, instructed the court and Roman did so.
The jury was then instructed that it was their duty to reach a verdict if they could do so without having the incident prejudice their
minds and they retired to their room. The discussion over the withdrawal of the juror and the placing of the communication on the
record then occurred.

This membership card is for the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen issued in 1918. It belonged to Adam Omlor, a member of the
Schuylkill Haven Lodge. It was this lodge that was involved in the court case mentioned above.

They Were not Needed - Hard Work to
Keep the Fire From Eating Up
Thousands of Tons of Coal - The Loss

JIG HOUSE DESTROYED !
Big Fire at Schuylkill Haven
Coal Storage Yards
THE POTTSVILLE FIREMEN CALLED

Saving the Coal

The Fire Extinguished

Pottsville Republican of November 27, 1920

FATALLY HURT IN COLLISION

Harry Dietrich, aged fifty years, residing near Black Horse, was fatally hurt in a collision Tuesday evening at Schuylkill Haven. Dietrich,
who was driving his truck home collided with one of the new safety trolley cars and as a result of the collision, had his skull fractured,
several bones broken and received other injuries about the body and several internal injuries. He was rendered unconscious and
was rushed to the local hospital after being attended by Dr. Heim of Schuylkill Haven.
Dietrich, according to Motorman Oscar Bicht, who was in charge of the safety car, came along the trolley tracks with his truck, Bicht
seeing him some distance away. Bicht figuring he would see the light of the trolley and he sounded the trolley bell, believing it would
get Dietrich to cross over. Seeing that Dietrich was making no move to get out of the tracks, Bicht applied the emergency, the safety
device working perfectly and the trolley was stopped entirely when the truck collided with it. Bicht, seeing that the accident was
unavoidable, and that a crash was certain, jumped back from his place in the front and just missed being struck by flying glass and a
part of the broken truck which was hurled through the window.
The machine was badly wrecked and Dietrich was picked up unconscious and carried to the home of George Shirey on Dock Street.
The accident occurred near Berger's Mill at Berger and Dock Streets. When it was seen that the man was so severely injured he was
ordered to the hospital, the physicians giving up hope of saving his life. The accident occurred about 6:15 o'clock.

The Call of March 19, 1892

A FATAL ACCIDENT

On Saturday evening, while Harry Freiler, a P and R brakeman, was standing on the tender of engine Number 838 which was shifting at
the Schuylkill Haven storage yard, he lost his footing and fell across the track, the tender passing over his body and killing him almost
instantly. He was a former Minersvillian and boarded with his wife at Samuel Reber's of Cressona. On Sunday morning Deputy
Coroner Dr. H. G. Weist empanelled a jury who rendered a verdict of accidental death, with no blame attached to anyone.

The Call of November 22, 1929

INJURIES FATAL TO MAN STRUCK BY TROLLEY

Theodore Heffner, a seventeen year old man of Schuylkill Haven, sustained injuries Saturday afternoon when struck by a trolley car
near Connor, which caused his death Sunday morning in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, at eight thirty o'clock. Heffner with
his chum, Arthur Fenstermacher, was walking along the trolley road toward Schuylkill Haven. Evidently neither heard the approach of
a trolley bound for Schuylkill Haven and in charge of Motorman Meyers, until too late. The accident occurred a short distance above
the Lehigh Valley railroad bridge and their forms were not visible to the motorman at any great distance. As soon as he saw the two
men, he blew the whistle. Fenstermacher stepped aside and though the car grazed him, he was not injured. Heffner was thrown
under the car and before it could be stopped, it had passed over his body. As soon as the car could be stopped, the motorman and
passengers ran back a short distance and found the injured man. An automobile was stopped and the man rushed to the hospital. It
was, however, at once seen that he had been so critically injured that his recovery was not looked for.
In addition to having cuts and bruises about his entire body, due to probably having been rolled along on the sills by the car, he had
suffered the more serious injuries of two fingers and part of the right hand having been severed, the right leg severed above the
knee and the left leg broken at the ankle, with the bones protruding through the flesh. The young man's chest was crushed and there
were several deep holes in his head and deep cuts on his face. The unfortunate man with his companion had been returning from a
short hunt for squirrels. Heffner had been hunting Saturday morning and upon returning at noon told his mother he knew where he
could get some squirrels and that he was going for them Saturday evening . Saturday afternoon, he attended the high school football
game. Returning home shortly before five o'clock to his home he took his gun. About three quarters of an hour after he had left the
home, the gun was returned by a friend with the blunt statement to his mother that her son had been killed.
Theodore was one of five boys and six girls of a family that resided in Schuylkill Haven about eighteen months. He had been
employed by the Reider Shoe Factory. He was but seventeen years of age. He was born in LaSalle County, Illinois. The family resided
in Cressona for four years and prior to occupied a farm for several years near Rock. Besides the father, who is in the West, these
brothers and sisters, in addition to the mother, survive: Raymond of Chicago, Lee of Schuylkill Haven Frank at home, William of
Panther Valley, Mrs. Guy Pflueger of Pottsville, Stella of Panther Valley, Mrs. William Kramer of Pine Grove, Grace, Florence and Irene.
The funeral took place Thursday afternoon from the late home on Margaretta Street. Services were conducted by Reverend E. H.
Smoll. D. M. Bittle was the funeral director.

The Call of July 4, 1913

CROSSING WATCHMAN SAVES CHILD

George W. Freehafer, P and R crossing watchman at Williams Street, Friday morning of last week proved himself a hero, when at the
risk of losing his own life, he saved that of a six year old girl. The escape from being ground to death beneath the wheels of the
swiftly moving northbound passenger train, due here at 10:53 a. m. was miraculous. Katie Bowen, daughter of Samuel Bowen, on her
way to her home on Market Street, from the home of her aunt Mrs. William Deibler, was compelled to wait several minutes at the
Williams Street crossing until a southbound coal train passed. As the caboose passed, the girl stepped out and not hearing the
approaching passenger train, stepped directly in its path. Watchman Freehafer, who was on the east side of the crossing, guarding
the northbound track, having seen the child waiting on the other side of the track, was on the alert and just as she stepped on the
northbound tracks he made a leap, grabbed her and leaped to safety just as the train dashed by. The escape was a narrow one and
the several witnesses to the scene closed their eyes and turned their heads away expecting the engine had struck them both and
passed over them, so close was the escape.
The crossing gates were down at the time but the child walked up the tracks between the southbound tracks and a side track to the
crossing and was inside the gates. While standing waiting for the coal train to pass, Daniel Deibert, fireman at the Union Knitting
Mills, realized the possible danger of her position and warned her not to attempt to cross. Heedless of the warning, however, the
child attempted to cross and had it not been for the presence of mind of Mr. Freehafer, would surely have lost her life. Watchman
Freehafer has but one arm and his great act of bravery, being thus handicapped, is therefore worthy of unusual comment and notice.
His many friends are bestowing on him their hearty thanks for his brave act. It is possible a movement will begin to bring his act to
the notice of the Carnegie Hero Committee that he may be properly awarded a medal for the same. The father and immediate relatives
of the child are more than thankful to Mr. Freehafer for saving the life of the child at the risk of losing his own.

The Call of August 8, 1913

LOCAL WOMAN RESCUES CHILD

Another narrow escape from being killed on the P and R railroad tracks here, by a timely rescue, occurred this week a short distance
south of Union Street at the alley next to the John Kauterman residence. The timely rescue was made by Mrs. Moyer, nee Ella Huling,
of Saint John Street. The rescued was Harry, the two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Schumacher, residing on the same street.
The child in anticipation of meeting a relative who was to arrive on the next train wandered away from his home unnoticed by his
mother. Just about the time the 11:26 passenger train from Philadelphia was due, Mrs. Moyer noticed the child standing on the
railroad tracks. She immediately hurried to the scene. Upon her arrival the train was within about one hundred yards of the child, who
unmindful of the approaching danger clapped his hands and shouted that his grandmother was coming. Mrs. Moyer, without a
thought for her own safety, rushed to the child and picking him up jumped to one side just as the train dashed by. The escape of both
the rescuer and the rescued from being ground to death was very close. Mrs. Moyer, following her brave act was in a very nervous
condition but has recovered and is receiving the congratulations and thanks of many persons for her brave deed.

The Call of March 1, 1929

UNION STREET TO BE GUARDED AT NIGHT

It is learned from reliable authority that the Reading Company will shortly provide a greater means and method of protection to the
public at the Union Street crossing in Schuylkill Haven. The additional protection will be in the form of a crossing watchman who will
be on duty until 11:45 o’clock in the evening. At this time and for the last few years the crossing watchman’s day ended at 7:45 in the
evening. The presence of a crossing watchman to operate the crossing gates will provide a much needed protection for this
particular crossing which has come to be traveled almost as much as the Main Street crossing.
Following the accident of several weeks ago when two young folks were struck by Number Nine at the crossing, the Civic Club of
Schuylkill Haven took up the matter with both the Reading Company and the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth. From
F. M. Falck, General Manager of the Reading, has been received a communication to the effect that after carefully investigating
conditions, it is found that there is little travel over this crossing after midnight. That the rearrangement of the schedule for the
crossing watchman whereby a man will be on duty until quarter to twelve will, with the present flash lights, provide what is believed to
be sufficient protection. From John P. Dohney, Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Accidents, Public Service Commission. Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, has also been received a communication by the Civic Club setting forth the same facts and advising of the decision of
the Reading Company in this regard. Inquiry reveals the fact that, while no arrangements have been made up to this time for the
increased schedule of crossing watchman attendance, it is quite likely the new schedule will become effective shortly.
shortly.

The Call of May 14, 1920

HIS INJURIES PROVE FATAL

Lewis Bittle, a well known and almost life long resident of Schuylkill Haven, died at the Pottsville Hospital Wednesday evening about
11:30 o’clock from injuries sustained in some unknown manner Monday evening. He had evidently been struck by a coal train which
went through town about eleven o’clock at a lively clip. His body was found between the southbound track and the siding at the
Union Knitting Mills by the crew of the shifting engine about 11:30. It was noticed his forehead was crushed in and his left ear torn
from the head. Body bruises and contusions had also been sustained. He was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital on a special engine
and caboose. An operation was performed to save his life but he never regained consciousness. Deceased was about sixty five
years of age. He had in former years been a prosperous farmer. Two brothers, Washington and Jacob of town, survive. The funeral
will take place on Monday morning at ten o’clock at the Bittle Brothers morgue. Interment will be made in the Union Cemetery. Both
will be strictly private. Reverend Leinbach will officiate. officiate.

The Call of June 11, 1920

KILLED AT MINE HILL CROSSING

Returning from a shopping trip to Pottsville, Miss Maida Schweigert of Cressona was struck by Number eight on the Reading road
Saturday afternoon, at the Mine Hill Crossing bridge. The train is due here at 1:59. Just how the accident occurred will never be
definitely determined but it is thought the unfortunate woman did not realize the train was so close to the track which she was
walking. The engineer as soon as she was noticed applied the air with such force that the train came to an almost immediate stop and
passengers were thrown from their seats. The engine struck the woman and hurled her into the Schuylkill River below. She was
picked up and hurried to the local P and R station, where she died within forty five minutes of the accident and before the arrival of
the hospital ambulance. The back of her head was crushed and there were bruises about her face and forehead. When the body was
taken from the river, in her hand was found the handle of her pocketbook but the pocketbook containing about thirty dollars was
gone. Her hat was found on one of the abutments of the bridge. The woman was carrying a basket containing provisions. Of the
provisions, only two cans of milk were found.
Deceased was well known in Cressona and esteemed. She was the daughter of Josiah Schweigert. With her father and brothers and
sisters, she resided on Railroad Street and managed the home. She was thirty one years of age. Her death is the third in her family to
occur in a tragic manner. Her mother while on her way to church fourteen years ago was overcome by the heat and died on the door
step of a friend. Her brother in law was killed on the railroad several years ago. She was a member of United Brethren Church,
Cressona. Besides her father, these brothers and sisters survive: William, Murval, Arval, and Earl of Cressona; Charles of Pine
Grove; Harry of Reading; Mrs. Charles Gehrig, Mrs. Ida Stichter, Mrs. Minnie Kramer, Miss Daisy at home and Mrs. Edward Kauterman
of Schuylkill Haven. The funeral took place Wednesday morning.

The Call of June 16, 1916

HERO MEDAL RECEIVED BY GEORGE FREHAFER

The first Carnegie hero medal to be received in Schuylkill Haven was received on Saturday afternoon last by George W. Frehafer. Mr.
Frehafer prizes the medal very highly, not because of the monetary value, but the incidents leading to the procuring of the same and
the fact that it represents the saving of a human life. The medal is of bronze, about four inches in diameter. It is carefully packed in a
moracro leather case lined with plush. On the one side is the likeness of the founder of the fund, Andrew Carnegie. Around the
upper border is engraved, “Carnegie Hero Fund, established April 15, 1904.” On the opposite side is a map of the United States, with
three separate seals. A miniature plate bears the following inscription, “Presented to George Frehafer who saved Katie A. Bowen
from being killed by a train, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., June 27, 1913.” On the border on this side are the words, “Greater love hath no man
then this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Mr. Frehafer is displaying the medal to his numerous friends and will place the
same in the window of the Stine drug store tomorrow where it may be viewed.

*A subsequent article revealed a $500 prize also accompanied the medal.

The Call of August 27, 1920

THIRTY SIX ARRESTED FOR TRESPASS

Thirty six residents of Schuylkill Haven were on Wednesday served with a notice by Officer Duffy of the Reading Company with a
warrant charging them with trespass and theft of coal belonging to the Reading Company. Each one of the persons served was
required to appear at the office of Squire C. A. Moyer, pay for the quantity of coal taken and the costs in the case. It is understood
that a car of egg coal in a south bound train was dumped a short distance below the Casket Factory on Tuesday. Residents of that
section of town were soon appraised of the fact and men, women and children made for the scene and helped themselves. The coal
was taken home in baskets, boxes, bags, express wagons and automobiles. In some way or other the company authorities were put
next to the affair and in a comparatively short time Squire was handed a list of thirty six persons on whom warrants were sworn.
Officer Duffy, it is understood, visited each one of the persons named and appraised them of the facts and that they would have to
pay for the coal taken. He was given access to their cellars and coal sheds and noted down the quantity of coal. He reported that
individual families had gathered from one half to four tons of the coal. The car held about fifty tons. Fifteen tons remained on the
tracks when the officer arrived and surprised a large number of persons who were busily engaged in carrying it off.

The Call of October 30, 1903

COLLISION AND RUNAWAY

Saturday morning at about 10:30 o’clock, Trolley Car Number One in charge of Motorman Robinson going down Main Street collided
with Saul and Zang’s box wagon, the collision being caused by the horse suddenly shying at the car and backing the front end of the
wagon directly in front of the car. The front running gear of the wagon was smashed and the vehicle was thrown against the curb in
front of Dr. Dechert’s office. Dr. Dechert’s team of handsome sorrels was standing in front of the office and the crash frightened them
and they ran away. They were stopped at the Union Knitting Mill after having completely demolished the buggy to which they had
been hitched. The only one hurt was Walter Dress, driver for Saul and Zang, who pluckily stuck to his post and did all he could to
control his horse. In the collision he was thrown from his seat and wedged between the horse and the car and was painfully
squeezed but was able to resume work at once. once.

The Call of October 2, 1903

DEATH’S HARVEST – John Paul Killed at Storage Yard

A distressing accident occurred about six o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the P and R storage yards below town, which resulted in the
death of John Paul of Schuylkill Haven and the serious injury of Lewis Miller of Landingville, both carpenters who were employed at
the yards making some repairs. Recently extensive improvements have been made to the storage yards and a trestling had been
built over the chutes. Paul, Miller and two other carpenters (who escaped uninjured) were at work on this trestling when a rush of
coal occurred which knocked the block from under the trestling which had not yet been permanently secured and both Paul and
Miller were thrown down into the chutes and crushed by the fall and by the rush of coal and falling timbers. Miller was removed to his
home while Paul was taken to the Pottsville Hospital. It was found that his skull had been fractured in two places, a compound one at
the base and a simple fracture on the right side above the ear. His right arm was fractured in three places and his left leg was also
broken. No hope was entertained for his recovery and he remained unconscious until death resulted at two o’clock Wednesday
morning. The deceased was twenty eight years of age, resided on Centre Avenue, and is survived by a wife and three children. The
funeral took place this morning. Services were held at the house last evening by Reverend Edwin H. Smoll. The funeral proceeded at
eight o’clock this morning to the Mahantongo Valley where interment was made. made.

The Call of May 28, 1920

KILLED AT STORAGE YARDS

Saturday morning the news of the sudden death of William I. Yeich of Schuylkill Haven shocked his numerous friends about town. The
young man, seventeen years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Yeich of Fairmount, was well and favorably known to many persons.
The accident occurred shortly before ten o’clock and his death was the result of his forethought for the safety of his fellow workmen.
He was employed as a loader and as an empty car came along he boarded it and began to tighten the brakes in order to prevent its
bumping into other cars further down the line and possibly trapping and injuring other workmen. Standing upon the brake platform
he was thrown to the inside of the car with great force when the car struck other cars. The side of his face and skull were crushed in
by the impact and it is believed death was instantaneous. Dr. Rodgers of Pottsville was summoned as was also Dr. Rutter of town. He
was dead when medical assistance arrived. Deceased would have been eighteen years of age on the coming ninth of September. He
was born in Schuylkill Haven and spent his entire life here. He was employed at the storage yards for about two years. He was a
member of the P. O. S. of A. of town and the Independent Americans of Friedensburg. He was a member of the Saint John’s Reformed
church and Sunday School. Besides his grief stricken parents, these brothers and sisters survive: Harry of Cressona, Miriam,
Norman, Ada, Oscar and Mildred of Schuylkill Haven. Haven.

The Call of November 16, 1917

WIFE’S DREAM SOON CAME TRUE

When Mrs. Fred Fitch of Canal Street bid her husband goodbye on last Saturday afternoon about 3:30 o’clock, little did she realize that
her horrible dream of the night previous was to come true. During Friday night, Mrs. Fitch dreamed that her husband had figured in a
railroad accident and had been killed. She could see in her vision, men picking up the remains of her husband and carrying them
gently to a side. She imagined that she had seen her husband’s crew coming from a trip from down the main line but her husband
was not one of the members of the crew Saturday morning. Mrs. Fitch told her husband of her dream and likewise members of her
family. Saturday before he left home to go to work, she warned him to be careful, that her dream of a few hours earlier might not
come true. Early Sunday, Mrs. Fitch was awakened by the crew caller of the Reading Railroad and informed that her husband had met
with an accident that resulted in his death.
Fred Fitch was a member of the crew that took engine Number 1736 and eighty two loaded coal cars down the main line late Saturday
afternoon. The crew was in charge of conductor Leddy of Saint Clair and Engineer M. L. Smith of town. Two other Schuylkill Haven
residents were also members of the crew, John Ripkee and Homer Raudenbush. Fitch was a flagman and was alone in the caboose at
the time of the accident. His lifeless remains were discovered by the members of a north bound coal train crew but a few minutes
following the accident. This crew in turn notified his own crew and that was the first knowledge of the accident. Engineer Smith gave
the “Call” the following version of the accident. “My train was traveling along at a fair rate of speed when at a point south of the
Phoenixville tunnel, I discovered the red board against me. I applied my brakes gradually and then brought my train to a dead stop.
This stop was made within about ten cars length. When I again attempted to start my train, I found that it had parted about fifteen cars
from the caboose. It was when the other members of the crew had gone back to couple up the train that we were informed for the
first time that my flagman had been killed. Apparently he had come out of the caboose to get a drink of water. When the cars came
together he must have been knocked from the front end of the caboose. The caboose passed over his body almost severing it near
the hips. He never knew what happened after the wheels passed over his body. The body was found about ten cars length from the
caboose with every spark of life extinct.” Mr. Smith also stated that a number of people are endeavoring to hold him accountable for
the accident but he was in no wise to blame being nearly three quarters of a mile away. The death of Mr. Fitch is the fourth to occur in
the immediate family within the last eight months; an uncle Jere Sowers of Auburn, a railroader, having been one of the four
relatives. Adam Warner, another uncle, resident of Schuylkill Haven, is in the Miner’s Hospital as the result of a railroad accident
some few weeks ago. Fred Fitch was thirty three years and one month of age. He was born and reared in Auburn and for a time was
employed by the Auburn Seamless Tube Works. About seventeen years ago he came to Schuylkill Haven. Seven or more years ago
he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Miller, of town, who with two children, Mildred aged six years and Laverne aged sixteen
months, are among the survivors. He was an only child and surviving besides his immediate family is his mother, Mrs. George
Krammer, of Union Street, town. The mother is critically ill and under the care of a physician since the death of the son. He was a
member of the Junior Mechanics and the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. His funeral took place Wednesday afternoon. O. A. Bittle
had charge.

The Call of January 21, 1916

INJURED AT P AND R CAR SHOPS

Mr. Daniel Frehafer of High Street was badly injured at the P and R car shops Friday afternoon, several minutes before quitting work
for the day. He was struck and run over by the shifting engine and had his legs so badly mangled that amputation was necessary at
the Pottsville Hospital Friday evening. The left leg was amputated above the knee and the right leg amputated at the ankle. His
condition is as well as may be expected under the circumstances. His many friends were very sorry to hear of his accident and
express their best wishes for his recovery. Mr. Frehafer was a contract painter at the shops. He had about finished work and was
walking to the paint shop to place his ladder or step. It was necessary to walk along or on the board walk which passes the main track
through the shop yards. He did not notice the approach of the shifting engine with a car in front and a car in the rear. Nearby
employees noticing the instant danger shouted to him. The warning came too late and though it appears he noticed the car directly in
front of him, he could not leap aside in time to avoid being struck. He had sufficient presence of mind to make an effort to get out of
the way. In being struck by the car and in moving aside, he stumbled over another step or paint ladder standing near by. In the mix
up he fell to the flooring and the wheels of the first truck passed over his legs diagonally. He was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital on
the north bound passenger train due here at 4:20 p.m. The operation was performed shortly after his admittance. Mr. Frehafer has
been employed at the car shops for the past fourteen years and has never suffered with a serious accident. He however had several
minor accidents but nothing of the nature of the present one. Prior to his employment at the shops he railroaded for some twenty
years, being employed by the Pennsylvania Company and by the P and R Company on its most dangerous branch, the Frackville line.
Tuesday of this week was Mr. Frehafer’s fifty fifth birthday and in strange and sad contrast to the celebration of former birthdays, this
one was celebrated in the hospital under particular unfortunate circumstances. circumstances.

The Call of October 2, 1903

DEATH’S HARVEST – Jeremiah Graeff on Railroad

A very sad accident occurred on the P and R Railroad this side of Landingville late Wednesday night. At six o’clock Thursday morning
a P and R coal train crew north bound found the unconscious body of Jeremiah Graeff of town lying alongside the track. They picked
him up, secured a cot from the coal storage yard upon which he was placed and taken to the Pottsville Hospital where he died. Graeff
called on friends at Landingville Wednesday evening and is thought that he missed the last car and started to walk up the railroad
when he must have been struck by a north bound train and lay unconscious and bleeding along the track until Thursday morning.
Graeff was aged nineteen years, nine months and three days and was a son of Clinton and Hannah Graeff. He was a reliable young
man, very popular with his large circle of friends and employed as a cutter in the Landingville shoe factory. He was a member of
Webster Camp Junior O. U. A. M. The funeral will take place on Sunday at 1:30 with services at the house by Reverend D. F.
Kostenbader. Interment at Union Cemetery with D. M. Wagner as funeral director. director.

The Call of February 23, 1912

TROLLEY CAR JUMPS TRACK

The 4:30 p. m. trolley car last Saturday afternoon jumping the track on Dock Street near the McWilliams’ store and crashing into the
yard of the McWilliams home and coming within four and one half feet of plunging down an embankment was due cause for
considerable excitement and a good topic for conversation Saturday night. That the accident was another one of those miraculous
ones is due to the fact that the McWilliams home is surrounded with a number of shade trees, two of them however being sacrificed
in the accident as well as a heavy pole of the American Union Telephone Company. The trees and pole were broken off by the impact
of the car. One tree was hurled quite a distance. The impact of the car was so great that it crossed the pavement after striking the
trees and ran into the yard and came within a few feet of dropping over a twenty five foot embankment. The car was Number 30 in
charge of Motorman Kane and Conductor Doolan. It was late in leaving the Hotel Grand for Pottsville and a desperate effort was
being made to make up for lost time as passengers on the car emphatically stated the car was run at a high rate of speed over Dock
Street. Either a bad rail or a stone on the track at the curve near the store caused the front trucks to leave the track, the rear trucks
followed. Motorman Kane stuck to his post of duty and applied the brakes. A sudden lurch and flying glass announced to the well
filled car that an accident had occurred. Several passengers were tossed about. Motorman Kane had his foot injured by having it
caught beneath the controller. Drs. Moore and Heim dressed the injury. The front end of the car was somewhat damaged. Within
less then an hour after the accident, the car had been pulled on the track again and the street cleared for traffic.
traffic.

The Call of February 24, 1911

GOOD ROADS CAR WILL BE IN TOWN MARCH 10 AT 3:40 P. M.
Train Will Be On Siding at Pennsylvania Station – Interesting Lecture and Demonstrations Will Be Given

The Good Roads Educational special train will, consisting of one postal car, two coaches and two flat cars, will be in Schuylkill Haven,
Friday, March 10th, on the siding at the Pennsylvania Railroad Station. The train will arrive here at 3:40 p. m. An interesting and
instructive lecture will be given in one of the cars on good roads, their construction and methods of keeping them in good condition
and many other important items connected with good roads. The lecture will be free. Following the lecture the people attending will
be given an opportunity to view the exhibits and models of different kinds of roads and demonstrations will be given of the various
kinds of road machinery. The train will leave for Pottsville at 5:50 p. m. A lecture will be given in Pottsville also. The two flat cars in
the special train are loaded with good roads machinery. One car contains models of various kinds of roads, etc. One coach is fitted
up for lecture purposes and the other coach is furnished for persons accompanying the train. Considerable interest has already
been aroused in the good roads special train and it is quite likely many of our citizens will avail themselves of this opportunity to
become better informed on the subject of good roads. A tour of the state is being made by the Good Roads Educational Society with
this special train and Schuylkill Haven is real fortunate in securing one of the lectures.
lectures.

LATER INFORMATION

The Call of September 24, 1909

WRECK AVERTED

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Railroad Wilkes Barre Flyer, southbound which goes through town daily at about 11:30 o’clock, had a
narrow escape from being wrecked at Connors. Just as the train struck the big curve on top of the thirty foot high embankment at
Connors which leads to Schuylkill Haven station, the pony wheels of the engine left the track. The train doesn’t stop at Schuylkill
Haven and consequently was going at a very high rate of speed. Engineer J. Wells immediately applied the brakes and brought his
train to a stop in a distance of about double its length. Passengers were badly shaken up by the sudden stop, but no one was injured
and the engineer’s prompt action saved the train from being wrecked. The Mount Carbon wreck crew was called and after few hours
work placed the engine on the track again and the train proceeded. The northbound accommodation and northbound Wilkes Barre
flyer were delayed by the accident.

The Call of November 3, 1911

NARROW ESCAPE OF AUTO PARTY - Local Folks Almost Run Down at P. & R. Crossing
TOP OF MACHINE TORN BY GATES

A serious accident was narrowly averted at the Main Street P. and R. Railroad crossing last evening about seven o’clock. The
automobile of Jacob Berger of Spring Garden containing Jacob Berger, Mrs. Arthur Gerber and daughter, Miss Laura Berger, Ruth
and Carl Loy, with Mr. Arthur Gerber at the wheel was coming up Main Street. Just as the machine reached the crossing, a
southbound light engine with caboose started from the “J” office at a rapid rate of speed. Watchman Lord rapidly opened the gates
just as the machine reached the tracks, the result was the supporting pole attached to the gates caught the top of the machine and
ripped it from front to rear. Mr. Gerber at a glance saw the approaching danger and realized the fact that if he would stop to prevent
the top of the machine being torn he would be run down by the engine, put on speed and shot across the tracks just as the engine
went by. Bystanders say it was a very narrow escape and many turned their head away expecting to see the entire party run down.

The Call of August 12, 1893

DEATH AT MINE HILL

George Hartzle, a car runner on the Mine Hill branch, while performing his duties on the heavy side opposite the car shops, was
caught between the cars, fell upon the rail and the car wheels passed over him. His right hip was terribly crushed and the entrails
protruded. His legs were also badly mangled. His fellow workmen gathered up his body and laid it upon a stretcher and in a short
time life was extinct. They carried the remains to Undertaker Ziegenfus, who took charge of them and prepared them for burial.
Deputy Coroner Dr. D. Dechert empanelled a jury who viewed the remains and heard the witnesses on Tuesday and Wednesday
evenings. They rendered a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the company and its employees from all blame.
The deceased was about thirty four years of age and leaves a wife and four children, his mother, Mrs. Joseph Hartzle of Pottsville; two
sisters, Mrs. William Hoover of Cressona and Miss Katie Hartzle of Pottsville, and four brothers, Joseph and Charles of Pottsville, and
Jacob and Frank of Ringtown. He was a member of the P. O. S. of A. and was identified with one of the Pottsville camps. He was a
member of the Rainbow Hose Company and had been a member of Company H, 4th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, but
retired some time ago on account of his hearing. His brother James was killed in the York Farm Colliery disaster in July of 1892. His
funeral took place on Friday afternoon. The funeral services were conducted in the Saint John’s Reformed Church, of which the
deceased was a member. Reverend Mishler, formerly pastor of the German Reformed Church, of Pottsville, conducted the services.
conducted

The Call of November 22, 1912

STRUCK BY A PASSING TRAIN – Mrs. Lucian Reber of Cressona Had a Narrow Escape – Side Stepped in Front of Engine

Mrs. Lucian Reber, of Cressona, had a narrow escape from being run over and killed by a coal train at the main Street P and R
crossing in this town, Wednesday afternoon about four o’clock. She was struck by a north bound coal train and thrown to the ground
but several inches from the tracks. Her escape from being ground to death was miraculous. Outside of a number of body bruises
she suffers no other injuries. It appears Mrs. Reber, in company with a Mrs. Charles Kantner, both of Cressona, after completing an
afternoons shopping in this town commenced to walk to their homes in Cressona. By reason of the fact that a train going south had
the crossing blocked, they could not cross over the railroad tracks to follow the usual footpath running parallel to the railroad and
used by pedestrians quite frequently. Mrs. Reber and Mrs. Kantner followed the path along the north bound track but had gone but
several yards from the Main Street pavement when a north bound train happened along. On account of the noise made by the south
bound train the approach of the north bound train was not notice even though the engineer blew his whistle. Mrs. Reber was struck
on the hip by the bumper on the engine and thrown aside the tracks, striking the back of her head against one of the railroad ties
when she fell with terrific force. She was rendered unconscious by the contact. Bystanders quickly came to her assistance and she
was removed to the P and R station and later to her home in Cressona via the 4:20 train. Dr. A. H. Detweiler was summoned and made
her comfortable as possible. Her chief injuries consist of severe bruises to the head, back and hip. She also suffers considerably
from shock.
The engine which struck Mrs. Reber was in charge of Albert Berger of town as engineer and M. L. Smith of town as fireman. Mr.
Berger states that had Mrs. Reber continued in the same path she would not have been touched by his engine, but when the train
was about four feet away from the ladies, Mrs. Reber sort of side stepped and before the train could be stopped she had been struck
and thrown to the ground. The accident caused considerable excitement about town and rumors to the effect that two persons had
been killed were quickly circulated about town. Fortunately however, the rumors were incorrect. Mrs. Reber is the wife of Lucian
Reber, a well known engineer on the Mine Hill Road. She is the mother-in-law to David Bittle, one of the clerks in Doutrich and
Company’s local store and who assisted in making her comfortable until the arrival of the physician. Mrs. Reber is well known here
and her many friends hope for her speedy recovery.

The Call of March 19, 1926

CRESSONA MAN IS SMOTHERED TO DEATH

George Ebert, employed for many years as a brakeman in the local yards, met with an accident at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday, for
which he paid with his life. Taking a car of coal that was being weighed over the scales down into the classification yard the brakes
refused to hold. Fearing the impact he ran back to about the middle of the car and as is customary in such cases jump as the cars
collide to escape the shock. As the cars came together the sudden jar snapped a door arm off the door directly under him. The
opening of the door allowed the coal to escape and drew him down. His plight was immediately discovered and other yard men came
to his rescue and it was seen that the body was entirely covered. Shovels were secured in an endeavor to shovel him out, but the
position of the body was such that the recovery was a slow and tedious one. After about a half hour of hard work he was gotten out
but upon examination it was found that life was extinct. Death was caused by suffocation. The body was removed to his late home on
Pottsville Street by Undertaker William E. Berger. Besides his widow, nee Reber, he is survived by the following children: Frederick
and Theodore at home, Lewis and George and Mrs. Angst of this borough and Albert of Schuylkill Haven. Deceased was a member of
Grace U. B. Church and the Railroad Trainmen, having achieved the 68th milestone of life. Funeral services will be held on Saturday.

The Call of October 29, 1926

RAILS SPREAD AND WRECK ENGINE HERE

The spreading of rails on a not solid a road bed, on one of the sidings of the Reading Company, a short distance above the J Office,
Sunday morning about a quarter to nine, caused the engine to leave the rails and the cars to buckle in such a way that traffic was tied
up over an hour. The heavy engine, Number 1659, cut deeply into the sills and twisted the track in bad shape. The application of the
emergency buckled several of the empty cars and tore out several draw heads in the train. All crossings were blocked for about an
hour and this happening, just at the time people were on their way to Sunday School, resulted in attendance in many of the schools
being cut down considerably. A number of persons, after waiting a long time at the Main Street crossing, took the old short cut
through the Greenawald Coal Yards and underneath the railroad bridge. By reason of the train crossing the northbound track over
the southbound track, all north and south bound trains were delayed until the cars could be moved, which was an hour or more. The
conductor of the crew was Joseph Maberry. Art Trout was the flagman. The engineer was William Becker of Reading. Conductor
Maberry was somewhat bruised about the face in being struck by a piece of the sand pipe that was broken off from the engine. He
was standing on the front of the engine as the train was pulling in over the side track. The Reading wrecking crew arrived about 11:
50 and immediately set to work despite the rain. By three o’clock they had the engine righted upon a rebuilt section of track. There
was quite a crowd that watched the wreckers at work.

Coal Storage Chutes

The Call of October 8, 1926

INJURIES TO WILLIAM SATTIZAHN FATAL

William Sattizahn, of Willow Street, died of injuries Friday afternoon, October 1st at four o’clock at the Pottsville Hospital where he had
been a patient since Tuesday afternoon of this same week. His death was due to the very compound fracture of the skull sustained
Tuesday afternoon about 1:30 when he fell from a car near the storage yards. The operation was performed Wednesday afternoon
and it was after his failure to respond to the operation that hopes for his recovery were given up. He never gained consciousness
from the time of the accident. Deceased was a well known railroader having been on the road for thirty five or more years. For the
last several years he was a brakeman on the shifting crew at the Mine Hill Yards. He was born in Pine Grove and was a resident of
this town for the past thirty five years. He was a member of the Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Fraternally he was connected with
the Sons of America of Summit Station and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Besides the wife, the following children survive:
Harry Sattizahn, Mrs. Roy Koch, Mrs. Austin Hoffman, William and Bright Sattizahn of Schuylkill Haven and Ralph at home. Two sisters
and one brother also survive: Mrs. William Reber of Pine Grove and Mrs. Albert Hain of Pine Grove. The funeral took place on
Monday afternoon at two o’clock. There were many friends and relatives in attendance at the services, all of which were conducted
by Reverend Sutcliffe at the late home. D. M. Bittle was the funeral director. The bearers were: Edward Maberry, Ed Lynch, Daniel
Phillips, A. M. High, Norman Eifert and George Mullen. There were very beautiful flowers presented.
presented.

The Call of September 26, 1896

FELL THIRTY FEET

About nine o’clock on Wednesday morning the people of town were horrified by the announcement that several men were killed at
the Philadelphia and Reading shops, but upon investigation it was found that six men were injured. The men were engaged in the
construction of the new blacksmith shop and were working inside near the roof. Suddenly the support on which they were standing
gave way precipitating them to the ground, a distance of about thirty feet. James Dewald, a resident of Summer Valley, fell on his face
and had it terribly lacerated. John Flammer received a contusion on his right leg. The others fortunately only received slight
injuries

The Call of September 1, 1916

DIED OF INJURIES RECEIVED NEAR CONNOR

Henry Kramer, aged fifty seven, a deaf and dumb person, who for years was employed by Terrance Clark at Connor’s, was struck
Friday afternoon by a Lehigh Valley coal train and died from the injuries sustained an hour following the accident. “The Dummy”, as
he was more familiarly known and called had been instructed to do some work near the railroad on the farm of Mr. Clark. He took with
him a pail or kettle with water in it. In order that it would keep cool and fresh the man placed the same in a crevice near a spring in
the cut above Connor’s on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It was while he was going to the cut for the pail of water that the coal train bore
down upon him. Failing to hear the shrieks of the whistle and although the train was going at a slow rate, he was struck and hurled
against the rocks at the side of the mountain. The body rebounding fell along the tracks and before the train could be stopped the
wheels had severed his right arm. His skull was crushed, his left leg fractured and his back crushed besides probable internal
injuries. Dr. James Gray of Cressona was summoned and made the victim as comfortable as possible. The man was unconscious from
the time of the accident and died before he could be moved to the hospital. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the
residence of Mr. Clark.

The Call of July 15, 1890

DIED FROM HIS INJURIES

The man named Smith who was struck with the column of the bridge while being hoisted into position yesterday, died this morning at
the house of Mr. Butler in Schuylkill Haven, where he had been boarding. It is not known where he came from or where his home is.
He came to work on the bridge about three weeks ago accompanied by a companion, who left the place about three days after.
Deputy Coroner Dr. Weist summoned a jury who viewed the remains and adjourned to meet tonight at six o’clock to hear testimony. A
collection was taken up to defray the expenses of his funeral and he will be interred in one of the cemeteries of Schuylkill Haven.
Haven.

The Call of September 30, 1908

BRAKEMAN’S BODY CUT IN HALF

James Lynch, a P and R brakeman employed on the Mine Hill Division, was instantly killed this morning at the Mine Hill crossing by
being run over with a car, his body being cut in two. He was a resident of Cressona, thirty five years of age, and is survived by a wife.
His train was being assorted by the crossing and he was lying under a car fixing the air coupling when the train started out. His body
was across the rails and the wheels passed over his abdomen. The remains were wrapped up and conveyed to an undertaking
establishment at Schuylkill Haven and prepared for burial before being removed to his home. Deceased was formerly a miner
residing at Mount Laffee before he accepted a position on the railroad and removed to Cressona. He was well known and liked.
liked.

The Call of January 24, 1891

INSTANTLY KILLED ON THE RAIL

Jeremiah Werner, a married man living at Port Clinton and employed as conductor on the Philadelphia and Reading main line, was
instantly killed last evening at Connor’s Crossing by being run over by his own engine. When his train reached the above named
place it was stopped and he and his crew began the shifting of cars at that point. The unfortunate man had occasion to cross in front
of the engine which was running tank first when his right foot caught in a frog. In vain he tried to extricate himself. He shouted for
the engineer to stop but his cries were not heard. In an instant the tank was on him and passed over his body, crushing and mangling
him in a horrible manner. The engineer, Anderson, knew nothing of the accident until the tank of the engine had gone over the
conductor’s body. Mr. Werner was thirty years of age and leaves a wife and two children and was considered a good railroader. M. F.
Pflueger, W. F. Stitzer, D. H. Auchenbach, A. H. Kline, D. D. Coldren and Edward Kauffman constituted the jury empanelled by Deputy
Coroner Weist, who viewed the body and after hearing the testimony of the crew rendered the following verdict: “Jerry Werner, of
Port Clinton, met his death by being caught in a ‘frog’ by the right foot while making a ‘cut’ in shifting at or near Cressona station on
the line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. No blame is attached to the crew of Engine Number 112.
112.”

The Call of March 15, 1912

STRUCK BY ENGINE

Daniel G. Womer of Cressona, the well known telegraph operator at Mine Hill crossing had a very narrow escape from death Tuesday
afternoon. In going out of the office to issue orders to north bound Engine 101, with Superintendent Keefer and a number of other P
and r officials, he misjudged the speed of a south bound train which overtook him in his effort to recross the tracks. He was struck by
the engine and hurled to the side narrowly escaping being run over. Mr. Womer was assisted to the office and later removed to his
home. His condition at this writing was serious, the engine having struck him on the back, neath the shoulder blade and it was feared
by the attending physician, Dr. C. Lenker, that he was injured about the lungs and ribs. Mr. Womer is well known in town and his
friends were grieved to learn of the accident.

The Call of April 19, 1912

ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

A foreigner by the name of Peter Fancanno, residing with Paul Bazar of Railroad Street, Cressona became mentally unbalanced
Sunday morning and attempted suicide by throwing himself against the south bound 10:55 Mine Hill train. Early in the morning his
actions aroused the suspicions of the neighbors. A crowd gathered round about his home and were at a loss to know what action to
take in the matter. Upon hearing the passenger train approaching he broke away from the crowd, ran towards the train an threw
himself against it. Instead of being pulled in under the wheels he was knocked to one side. Outside of several body bruises, he
escaped injury. The bystanders however took him into custody. Constable Hartz summoned the ambulance from the Almshouse and
he was taken to that institution. It is said worriment over the separation from his wife, who is at present in his native country, caused
him to lose his mind.

The Call of January 26,1917

GIRLS HAD NARROW ESCAPE ON RAILROAD

Miss Margaret James, of West Columbia Street, and Miss Eva Wessner, of town, both had very narrow escapes from being either
killed or seriously injured Monday noon on the P and R railroad a short distance south of the Union Street crossing. Miss James and
Miss Wessner, both employed at the Union Knitting Mills, were walking north along the southbound track toward town where they
intended to do some shopping during their lunch hour. A coal train was going north on the northbound track at the time. On account
of the high wind both girls had their heads lowered and with arms linked were unaware of the approach of a coal train on the
southbound track. The engineer of the southbound coal train whistled a number of times and persons residing in the neighborhood
stated the whistling was so pronounced that their attention was attracted to it. Several employees of the Thomas Knitting Mill noticed
the girls and the approaching train and whistled ad shouted a warning. Evidently the girls did not hear the southbound train on
account of the noise made by the train going north, as they continued on. The engine struck the Wessner girl on the arm and threw
both across the track, but luckily on the shifting track instead of the southbound track on which the train was approaching. The
James girl struck the track with her head and sustained a bruised forehead. The Wessner girl sustained a number of body bruises.
Both girls suffered from shock. Reports to the effect that they sustained internal injuries, fractured skulls, broken ribs, etc. are
incorrect.

The Call of July 5, 1901

TROLLEY CAR JUMPS TRACK

The passengers on the open trolley car, which left this place at 3:30 o'clock last Saturday night, met with an experience that was
attended with quite a little excitement and a good shaking up. After rounding the corner at Dock Street, the car usually gains
considerable speed in going down the grade out that street. On the curve at Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, the car jumped the
track and went crashing toward the pavement, its progress only being stopped as the wheels struck the curbs of the sidewalk. A big
iron lamp post in its path had been snapped off like a pipe stem. Luckily no one was injured, the only damage resulting being a
crushed in front of the car and the broken lamp post. Traffic was delayed about an hour owing to the occurrence. The accident was
caused by a stone on the track.

The Call of July 19, 1901

CLOSE CALL FOR LIFE

John Stewart of Pottsville, a coal train fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, on Tuesday met with an accident at the local station that
might have caused him serious injury or cost his life. Stewart was riding on the engine of the passenger train due here at 5:22 p. m.
and as the train entered the station he leaped from the engine to the truck standing on the platform near the tracks. The surface of
the truck is lined with iron strips and these, made slippery by the rain, caused his feet to fly out from under him as he landed. He fell
backward and struck his head heavily, rendering him partially insensible. At the same time the truck, given an impetus by his body,
stated forward toward the rails with the man in his dazed and helpless condition on it. The truck was caught by the baggage car and
dragged but a short distance when the train came to a halt. One wheel of the truck had already left the platform and but a few feet
further and it would have pitched over and the man would have been thrown under the wheels of the train. It was a most narrow
escape. The unfortunate man was placed aboard the train and taken to the Pottsville Hospital.

The Pottsville Republican of July 24, 1933

WOMAN KILLED BY THE FLYER

Miss Audrey Sidler, aged nineteen years, of Schuylkill Haven, was instantly killed Sunday evening shortly before six o’clock when she
was struck by the Philadelphia flyer of the Reading Company near Connor’s Crossing. She was enroute from Cressona and was
attempting a short cut along the railroad tracks and became confused at the approach of the train. The body was placed aboard the
train and brought to the station here following which it was turned over to Undertaker Hall. Later Undertaker Bittle of Schuylkill
Haven took charge of the remains. One leg was severed and the other crushed and her body badly bruised. The train struck her and
then threw her a distance. The family moved to Schuylkill Haven from Catawissa five years ago, and for a time her father, Hilbert, was
employed at the Cressona Shops. She was a member of the U. B. Church and leaves to survive her parents Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert
Sidler and these brothers and sisters: Robert, James, Mary, Jane, Corliss, Medra and Louise all at home; Mrs. Margaret Diehl of
Schuylkill Haven and Mrs. Geraldine Hartman of Catawissa. The funeral will be held from the family home at the convenience of the
family on Wednesday with interment in Catawissa.

The Pottsville Republican of December 29, 1909

RUN DOWN ON RAIL FATALLY HURT

Charles F. Heisler was run down about fifty yards north of the P and R station at Schuylkill Haven last night and died shortly after
midnight at the Pottsville Hospital. Deceased was thirty two years of age, single and resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian
L. Heisler, of Hornung Street in Jalappa. The unconscious form was found about 1:30 p. m. lying on the tracks by call boy Connelly who
happened that way. Assistance was speedily secured and the young man was brought to the Pottsville Hospital without delay, where
it was found that the right leg had been severed near the hip and the left leg near the knee. His fingers were also badly crushed.
While being removed from the track to the station he regained consciousness long enough to give his name and address and
although his relatives were notified, he died at the hospital before they arrived. Deceased was employed at the steel mill and the
family are unable to account for his presence in Schuylkill Haven. It is believed, however, that he was endeavoring to board a freight
or coal train for home when he was thrown under the train and killed. To survive he leaves his father and mother, who was Anna B.
Nettlinger of Pottsville, two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Knowles and Mrs. John Kogel of Pottsville and two brothers, John of Philadelphia
and Christian of Pottsville.

The Call of October 20, 1916

TROLLEY HITS AND DEMOLISHES AUTO TRUCK
Occupants Have a Narrow Escape From Fatal Injury on Dock Street Thursday Afternoon

Trolley car number 23 in charge of motorman Thomas McGovern of town and conductor Oscar Bight bound for Pottsville, struck and
demolished the Vim auto truck of groceryman Harry Schumacher shortly after two o'clock Thursday afternoon. The machine was
completely demolished or so badly damaged that it is practically worthless. The occupants of the car, Christ Schumacher and lewis
Goas and Charles, the young son of Mr. Christ Schumacher had miraculous escapes from being fatally injured. As it was they
received several cuts about the face and head from flying glass of the windshield which was splintered. The Schumacher lad was the
most seriously injured. He sustained a deep cut over the left center of his forehead, about one half inch from the eye, a deep cut on
the head and several other cuts about the face. Although he did considerable screaming immediately following he crash, he soon
regained his nerve and certainly was a brave little soldier. He was taken to the store of Clinton Confehr. Dr. Detweiler was soon on
the scene and the youngster immediately stood up and stated he wasn't hurt, that he didn't feel anything, despite the fact that
considerable blood was dropping down over his eyebrow into his eye. Mr. Christ Schumacher received a cut on the right cheek and
Lewis Goas a smaller cut on the forehead. The doctor hustled all three patients into his machine, took them to his office and dressed
their wounds.
The accident occurred on Dock Street at the private alley aside of the George Raush residence. The auto was in charge of Christ
Schumacher and had just come out of the alley and was about to turn in Dock. Th machine must have been almost squarely on the
tracks as the marks show it was struck in the middle and thrown to the side. The top or box of the auto was thrown about twenty feet
and the chassis struck a nearby telephone pole. The wheels were broken, the steering wheel twisted, the running boards splintered,
the top of the car broken and a sorry sight. The contents of the machine were badly mixed and destroyed. The wreck was removed
late Thursday afternoon. The driver of the automobile states that he did not see or hear the trolley coming and the motorman of the
trolley makes the same statement. The crash could be heard for a square and the screams of the youngster son attracted quite a
crowd.

The Call of November 23, 1900

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH

George W. Berkheiser, an employee at the Pennsylvania Railroad station, this place, had a remarkably narrow escape with his life last
Tuesday morning. Mr. Berkheiser usually transacts the business with the baggage masters on the passenger trains arriving at that
depot. The early morning southbound passenger trains on the Pennsy and at the Lehigh Valley are due at this depot twenty minutes
apart, the former approaching the station on the nearer track, while the latter is due later on the track farthest from the station
platform. Mr. Berkheiser was under the impression that the Pennsylvania train had arrived and departed and that the train then
approaching through the darkness was the Lehigh on the outer track. Without further satisfying himself, not even looking in the
direction of the approaching train, which happened to be the Pennsy, he stepped from the platform directly in its path. He was struck
by the engine pilot with great force and tossed through the air, landing heavily some distance away. He received no serious injury,
but his escape from such, even death, was most miraculous. A wound on the scalp and a bruised leg were the only injuries received
that required attention.

The Call of December 21, 1900

AGED MAN FOUND DEAD - JAMES B. MCGEOY OF BERNE STREET, THIS PLACE THE VICTIM
Death Supposed to Have Resulted From a Fall From the Pennsylvania Railroad Arch at Connor's Crossing

The lifeless and bruised body of James B. McGeoy, one of the oldest residents of this place, was found at six o'clock this morning on
the roadway beneath the Pennsylvania Railroad arch near Connor's Crossing. The body was discovered by butcher D. F. Hoy, of this
place, who immediately sent for Constable Butz. A careful examination of the body failed to show any marks that might have resulted
from foul play and it is generally supposed that Mr. McGeoy was walking along the railroad tracks above the arch when he stumbled
and fell or was hit by a locomotive and thrown to the hard roadway below, a distance of about twenty feet. His face was badly bruised
and his right hand fractured. When found he was lying on his face with his hand beneath his body and his injuries, it would naturally
be supposed, resulted from the fall. The remains were given in charge of undertaker Charles Wagner, who removed them to the
unfortunate man's home on Berne Street. An inquest was held over the remains this morning, the coroner's jury rendering a verdict
of accidental death. Mr. McGeoy left his home yesterday morning at ten o'clock stating that he was going to Pottsville to purchase
Christmas goods. He was reported to have been seen there shortly before eleven o'clock last night. How he got to the scene of his
death is unknown and that he should have been to Pottsville and returned without any packages cannot be explained.
Mr. McGeoy was born in Longfort County, Ireland, sixty five years ago and emigrated to this country, coming directly to Schuylkill
Haven in 1848. He got a situation at oiling cars for the Reading Company and was subsequently employed in other positions by the
company up to eight years ago, when with a large number of men, he was retired on account of old age. Since then he has lived a
retired life. He was a gentleman of fine moral character and was held in high esteem by all ho knew him. He is survived by three sons
and two daughters as follows: Mrs. John Coho of this place and James, Joseph, Charles and Katie at home. Mr. Barney McGeoy,
probably the oldest resident in the town, is a brother. The arrangements for the funeral had not been made at the time of going to
press.

The Call of September 27, 1901

STRUCK BY AN ENGINE - Jacob K. Reed Meets Tragic Death on Tuesday Evening
Was Returning From Work When Accident Occurred - Steeped in Front of Train - Death Was Instantaneous

Jacob K. Reed, a well known citizen of this place, was struck by a locomotive near the Mine Hill Crossing, on the P and R Railway, at a
few minutes past five o'clock Tuesday evening and instantly killed. Mr. Reed, who operated a stone quarry at Beckville, was on his
way home from that place when he met his tragic death. Near the bridge at the Mine Hill Crossing he left the path along the siding
and started to walk between the siding and northbound tracks. He had just reached a point about half the length of two gondola cars
standing on the siding, when the workmen's train, r more familiarly known as the "bug car", came along at a high rate of speed. Mr.
Reed, it is supposed, did not want to remain between the gondolas and the train as it rushed by and made a quick but fatal move to
cross the tracks. He was struck by the engine and thrown with tremendous force against the gondolas. His body escaped the
wheels. The accident was witnessed by a number of the employees at the crossing, among whom was the unfortunate man's son,
Daniel Reed. Both shoes flew from the victim's feet high into the air when he was it. He was found lying between the main track and
siding and life was ended, death having been instantaneous. An examination showed that the face and chest were crushed and his
neck, jaw and two arms were broken. His whole body bore bruises. Witnesses state that Mr. Reed must have seen the engine as he
was facing in that direction as it approached and the engineer had sounded a warning blast.
Deputy Coroner Peter Stanton held an inquest and death was found to have been the result of the injuries stated above. The remains
were taken to E. Ziegenfus's undertaking establishment and next morning removed to his late home at the corner of Columbia and
Berne Streets.
Deceased was a resident of this place for the past thirty four years, having moved here from Berks County. He was born at
Landingville and was a son of the late George W. and Kate Reed. He was seventy one years old. He was a wheelwright by trade, but
abandoned that long ago. For the past twenty years he operated his stone quarry at Beckville during which time, until his fatal
accident, he had made the trip safely to and from his home. He was a member of Grace United Evangelical Church and was a faithful
worshipper there. His wife died in February 1899. He leaves four sons and one daughter as follows: Cornelius F., Daniel W. and John
Reed and Mrs. William Becker of this place and George Reed of Pottsville. The funeral will be held from the late home on Sunday
afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after which the cortege will proceed to Grace United Evangelical Church where further services will be
conducted by the pastor, Reverend S. S. Chubb. Interment will be made in Union Cemetery.

The Call of January 9, 1903

TROLLEY CAR WRECK -
Plunged Down a Twelve Foot Embankment on to the
P and R Railway and Blocked One Track For 8 1/2 Hours

Car Number 84 of the Pottsville Union Traction Company, on the Orwigsburg Division, in charge of Motorman Lapp and Conductor
Berger, came to grief on the last trip to Orwigsburg Sunday night. The car left Schuylkill Haven just a few moments before twelve
o'clock midnight, almost a half hour late, going down the steep incline of Saint John Street, from Market to Liberty, the car got beyond
control and at the junction of Saint John and Liberty Streets, it left the track, crashed through the guard rail and plunged head
foremost down the steep twelve foot embankment on to the north bound track of the P and R Railway. Motorman Lapp saved himself
by jumping. There were two passengers, George Portz and John Holly, both of Pottsville, with Conductor Thomas Berger in the car at
the time. All three were badly bruised and when they attempted to make their exit found it was impossible to open the doors. Fearing
that they might be run down by a passenger train while imprisoned in the derailed car, they kicked the glass out of the windows and
made their escape.
The P and R wreck crew was immediately summoned and found the trolley car such a difficult subject to deal with that the blockade
was not lifted from the north bound track until 8:30 Monday morning. Th wrecked trolley car was pulled down off the bank, the trucks
were pulled from under her and she was skidded up on the rails to William Street, where she was dumped in the street an the truck
and other wreckage were piled along side her. It took the trolley company's wreck crew the balance of the day to drag the car and
truck up the hill, place it on the tracks and tow it to the Palo Alto power house for repairs. The front end of the car was stove in,
panels on both sides were smashed, the roof was ripped open, every pane of glass was broken and all the wiring and trolley, light and
motor connections were torn to pieces. It was a very badly wrecked car.

The Call of November 29, 1901

WAS IT SUICIDE? - Trolley Car Killed a Turkey That Would Have Made a Feast

Last Saturday morning about 6:30 o'clock, just as electric car Number 40, in charge of Motorman Dentzer and Conductor Tucker,
swung onto Wilow Street on its way to town, a big turkey gobbler ran onto the track and was struck and killed. The bird was a fine one
and would have admirably suited as the piece de resistance at a Thanksgiving Day feast. The car crew and passengers are wondering
if the turkey preferred death on the rail to a momentary experience with the keen edge of an axe and committed suicide.

The Call of October 25, 1901

INSTANTLY KILLED - George Baumgarten Struck By a Locomotive on Sunday
Unfortunate Man Was Deaf Mute and Failing to Hear Oncoming Train Was Suddenly Ushered Into Eternity

George Baumgarten, an inmate of the County Home, at this place, met a most sudden and tragic death last Sunday afternoon about
2:30 o'clock. Baumgarten, who was deaf and dumb, had left the Almshouse for a walk into the country, very unwisely choosing the
Lehigh Valley railroad tracks. He had proceeded to a point in the cut beyond Spring Garden Junction when a special train from
Pottsville to Bethlehem came along. He was walking slowly down the track with his back to the rapidly approaching train and the
engineer blew a warning blast. As the engine came closer the whistle sounded another warning, but without any effect on the man in
the path of death ahead. The engineer shut off steam and applied the air brakes but the train could not be stopped in time to avoid
the accident. He was struck and instantly killed, being thrown upon the rails. Very few trains pas over this road on Sunday and the
unfortunate man took no precautions to save himself from a surprise of this kind.
Immediately after the accident, Deputy Coroner H. Y. Hartman empanelled a jury who rendered a verdict of accidental death in
accordance with the facts above given. The crew of the train were exonerated from all blame. Mr. Baumgarten was admitted to the
County Home on August 1, 1896, from Ashland, and was an inmate of the stone building. He was sixty two years of age. The remains
were claimed by a brother and sister residing at Ashland and were on Tuesday morning taken to the place of interment.

The Call of January 2, 1903

A HEAD ON COLLISION - A Very Costly Smash Upon The Pennsy on Saturday
Two Engines and a Lot of Freight Cars Badly Used Up - Both Crews Escape Injury By Jumping

A big smashup, the result of a head on collision of two freight trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Adamsdale on Saturday gave
the curious something to look at and something to talk about and cost the company a considerable sum of money. The wreck
occurred about 7:30 Saturday morning, when a local freight was shifting some cars on the upper end of the Adamsdale siding at
Peale's farm. The engine was pulling out onto the main track when the fast freight hove in sight, coming at the rate of about thirty
miles an hour. Brakes were whistled for and the air was put on, but before the train could be slackened to any perceptible extent the
two engines came together with a crash. In the meantime, however, the local engine had reversed, which was responsible for the
fact that both trains were not broken to pieces.
When the engines whistled for brakes, the train hands, after doing what they could to avert the accident, jumped to the ground and all
of them escaped uninjured. Both engines were so badly smashed up that they had to be sent to Altoona shops for repairs. Several
cars were smashed to kindling wood while a number had their ends stove in. The Mount Carbon and Reading wreck crews labored
until the middle of the afternoon before the road was sufficiently cleared for the passage of trains. In the meantime, passengers were
transferred around the wreck and several through cars, of Adams express matter that had to be hurried to its destination, were sent
down attached to P and R trains.

The Call of October 18, 1901

REMARKABLE NERVE DISPLAYED BY ENGINEER FULLERTON AFTER LOSING HIS FOOT - Fell From His Engine in the
Darkness Near Town and Narrowly Escaped Being Ground to Death Under the Wheels

George Fullerton of Connor's Crossing, a P and R coal train engineer, had his left foot crushed in an accident about five o'clock on
Sunday morning that makes his escape from death very remarkable. While the train was moving southward at a slow speed at a point
between Warner's old boat yard and the Red Bridge, a short distance below this place, Mr. Fullerton climbed out on the foot board to
oil the air pump on the fireman's side of the locomotive. While thus engaged his lamp blew out and in the darkness he made a
misstep and fell on the rails in front of the moving train. He was confused as to his bearings by the fall and did not know in which
direction to scramble for safety. The engine struck and rolled him along for some distance before he was pushed aside. His left foot
unluckily was caught under the wheels and crushed. His escape from death was miraculous. Mr. Fullerton by his cries attracted the
attention of his fireman, Peter Peiffer, who brought the train to a standstill. The injured man, unaided climbed to the cab and directing
the fireman to uncouple the engine, ran it with his own hand up to Connor's Crossing. Here he was placed on a stretcher and carried
to his home nearby. Mrs. Fullerton, on opening the door and beholding her husband on a stretcher, was greatly shocked at the sight
and screamed frantically, whereupon he jumped up and dashing into the house after his wife, informed her as to the extent of his
injuries.
Dr. James C. Gray of Cressona was summoned, and assisted by his brother, Dr. John M. Gray of Port Carbon, the greater part of the
injured member was amputated. After an improvised operating table had been arranged, Mr. Fullerton, to the astonishment of the
physicians, jumped unaided from his bed on it and underwent the operation. After the physicians had performed their work, to the still
greater surprise of those present, he coolly go down from the operating board and went back to bed. His remarkable display of nerve
from the time of the accident has been surprising and is much commented on. At latest accounts, Mr. Fullerton is getting along very
nicely.

The Call of June 20, 1902

INJURED IN A COLLISION

Fireman Jere Huling of P and R shifter Number 1279 had his collar bone broken, leg injured and was badly shaken up in a head on
collision on Monday morning, near Mine Hill crossing, between his engine and engine Number 511 drawing a supply train bound for
Landingville storage yards where a force of special police is located. Huling was on the tank and the force of the collision threw him
violently against the firebox. He is resting comfortably. The damage to the locomotives will be covered by $75. Several years ago Mr.
Huling in a similar accident, had a piece taken out of the calf of one of his legs and skin grafting had to be resorted to, to induce the
injured member to heal.

At left the trolley heads south from Pottsville at Connor's Crossing. Note the early cars and the Lehigh Valley Railroad trestle on the
right of the picture. The trolley photo at right shows Saint John Street looking south from Main Street.

A view of the same freight station in 1975 but
looking from Union Street.

The Call of February 3, 1905

FOUND A SKELETON

A number of repairmen who are widening the cut near the coal storage yard, found a skeleton of a man who had been buried there.
The coffin had almost entirely rotted away, although some parts of it still remained. The skeleton was complete and probably that of a
young man, as the teeth were all there and were perfect. An old stone farm house used to stand along the Schuylkill Canal, directly
opposite where the skeleton was found and it is believed the body was interred in a private cemetery, as in the olden times a little
plot was often set aside on a homestead farm as a family burying ground. Several repairmen drew nails from the coffin and are
keeping them as relics.

The Call of February 17, 1905

SUNDAY MORNING WRECK

A bad smashup occurred on the P and R near the Main Street crossing at 4:30 o’clock Sunday morning. A loaded coal train was pulling
out from the side track at the “J” office when another came down the main line from Palo Alto, smashing into it and crushing one car
at the crossover and pushing another down to the Main Street crossing, where it was thrown over to the north bound track and
scattering its contents over the street. Quite a number of cars were sideswiped and had to be shopped and one locomotive was
badly damaged. Frozen air brakes was given as the cause. The Reading wreckers aided the local crew to clear the tracks.
tracks.

The Call of November 19, 1892

SAD DEATH OF HARRY MILLER

Harry Miller, the ten year old boy of Piercion Miller, met with a fatal accident last Friday. He was on his way from the Gas and water
Company’s works and was walking along the railroad in company of another boy carrying his fathers overcoat. His companion
boarded the coal train but he ran along side of the train and slipped and fell. In some way or other his legs got under the wheels and
they were crushed so badly that amputation was necessary in order the boy’s life might be saved. Dr. Lenker and Dr. Cummings
performed the operation. The boy lived through it but the shock was too great and he died a few minutes afterward. His funeral took
place on Tuesday afternoon. The church was crowded with young and old folks who were desirous of paying their last respects to the
dead. Reverend P. C. Croll of Lebanon, formerly pastor of this charge, conducted the services. Interment was in Union Cemetery.
Undertaker Ziegenfuse had charge of the funeral. The pall bearers were John Koch, Milton Knarr, James Hill and William reed. The
floral tributes were very fine. A wreath was given by Miss Margaret Morgan’s school which the deceased attended. Another wreath
was given by the Lutheran Sunday School. A white lily and bouquet of roses was given by John Yereston of Harrisburg, a relative of
the family and a sheaf of wheat was given by Miss Hattie McCormick.
McCormick.

The Call of November 25, 1893

IRVIN D. SAYLOR KILLED

Irvin D. Saylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Saylor, met with a sad death on Thursday evening, November 16th. In company with a
friend he attempted to board the caboose of a coal train at the Reading depot. In some mysterious manner he was hurled against the
safety gates or a switch signal and had his face crushed and bruised beyond recognition. He was picked up and carried to the station
but lived only a short time after the accident. He was conveyed to his late home with his parents on Union Street. Undertaker
Ziegenfus took charge of the remains and prepared them for burial. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon. A large concourse
of friends and relatives gathered at the Saylor residence on Union Street, to pay their last tribute and respect to their companion and
friend. The funeral cortege proceeded to the Trinity Mission Evangelical Church where the sermon was preached by Reverend C. D.
Drecher. After the services they proceeded to the Union Cemetery where the remains were laid to res. A large number of the
employees of the Tilt Silk Mill at Pottsville, where the deceased had been employed, attended the funeral in body. Friends were
present from Orwigsburg, Hamburg Landingville and Cressona. The floral ovations were a pillow, a wreath and several bouquets. His
companions from town presented a beautiful robe. The pall bearers were Charles Brobst, Reno Helms, Amos Sterner, Charles Mellot,
Charles Sausser and Harry Becker. Irvin was born in Schuylkill Haven and was twenty years old. He attended our public schools and
for some time previous to his death was employed at the Tilt Silk Mill at Pottsville. Mr. Harris, superintendent of that establishment,
said of him in a letter to his father:"He was a good, honest and reliable boy and I had hoped would become a good man." We have
known Irvin to be a young man of good moral habits and a favorite among his companions. His death was a shock to the community
and hundreds of his friends turned out at the funeral to do homage to the dead. He leaves his parents, two brothers, and seven
sisters to mourn his untimely death. The family have the sympathy of the community in their sore affliction.

The Call of July 13, 1895

FRIGHTFULLY MANGLED - The P and R Shops of Town Scene of a Horrible Accident

While in the act of placing a draw bar into a car at the Philadelphia and Reading car shops, Daniel Dailey, aged sixty eight years of
Connor's Crossing, was instantly killed. George Berger aged forty years of town, had one hip hurt and was injured internally, and
Frank Schwartz, aged fifty five of town, had both legs fractured. The men were at work between two large coal cars which were on a
side track. Almost opposite to the two cars they jumped the track and ran into the cars which the men were repairing. Daniel Dailey,
who was kneeling down, had his head crushed into a frightful shape. His cheek bones were forced almost together and his skull
crushed. The head was smashed so badly that the face was not recognizable. It is supposed that his head was caught between the
bumpers of the cars. Frank Schwartz and George Berger were thrown under the wheels of the cars and injured as described in this
article. Each of the men has a family. The accident caused quite an excitement in town. Early last evening Berger was reported as
dead but it was found to be only a rumor.

The Call of June 7, 1901

LADS AWFUL EXPERIENCE

The high bridge of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at this place has on several occasions been the scene of some tragic event but none
more startling then that which occurred there shortly before noon last Saturday. Lester, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beck, and Elwin,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bubeck, both of this place, started to cross this high structure in search of birch on the mountains on the
other side. They had gotten to the middle of the bridge, which is nearly one hundred feet high at that point, when the local freight
rounded the curve. It was impossible to stop the train in time and the engineer blew a warning blast. By great presence of mind each
boy dropped to the edge of the trestle and swung a leg over a four by four inch binder which runs along the edge of the sills to keep
them in place. They leaned back as far as possible as the train rushed by and thus saved their lives but the close proximity of their
heads to the wheels can be imagined when it is stated that the oil boxes of the cars grazed the lads heads. The train stopped a short
distance beyond and the crew rushed back to rescue the brave lads from their perilous position. They were very faint from their
awful experience and had to be carried on the train to the opposite side of the bridge. It is needless to say the lads discontinued
their search for birch and made a dash for home. The story seems almost incredulous but is stated to be authentic by reliable and
responsible parties who were near the scene at the time.

The Call of September 14, 1900

IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STORAGE YARDS

The P and R Coal and Iron Company have a large force of workmen engaged in making extensive improvements at their storage yards
between this place and Landingville. New partitions which require a large amount of lumber and labor are being erected between the
bins and six new water tanks, used for purifying the water for the boilers, are also being constructed. Two new dwelling houses are
being erected on the premises and will be occupied by employees at the yards. Other small but needed improvements are being
made. There is not much dumping or loading of coal at present.

The Call of August 10, 1900

ACCIDENT AT THE STORAGE YARDS

Daniel Longlow, residing on Canal Street this place, an employee at the coal; storage yards,had a narrow escape from death on
Wednesday afternoon while at work. He had gone up the slope to roll a heavy log down and had started one when a second followed
and rolled upon him. Luckily he was at the end of the log which knocked him down and passed over his legs only, badly bruising and
spraining them. He was unconscious up to the time he was placed upon the engine which brought him to the Williams Street
crossing, from which place he was carried to his home, where he is now confined to bed. Dr. C. Lenker was summoned and rendered
the necessary medical attention.

The Call of December 25, 1897

KILLED AT THE SHUTES – A Railroader Meets His Death Between the Cars

All the happiness of the Christmas holidays was driven out of the home of Charles Kirkpatrick, when the intelligence was received on
Wednesday night, that the husband and father, who had gone to work but a short time before, now lay cold in death, snatched away
almost in a twinkling of an eye, without a chance of bidding farewell to those he loved, while performing his usual duties. Mr.
Kirkpatrick was employed as a brakeman on the engine known as the shute engine used at the storage yard. On Wednesday night at
about ten o’clock, while in the act of catching cars, he was caught between the bumpers and instantly killed. The body was taken on
board the engine and conveyed to the P and R depot where it was given in charge of Undertaker Wagner, who prepared the body for
burial, after which it was taken to the home of the sorrowing family. He was thirty eight years of age and has been a resident of Haven
Street, Spring Garden for a number of years. In his death the community loses an exemplary and respected citizen and the company
of one of its most faithful and efficient employees. He leaves a wife and family of six children to mourn his untimely death. The
funeral will take place on Monday afternoon from his late residence on Haven Street, after which services will be held at Saint
Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Interment will be made in Union Cemetery. He was a member of the Rainbow Hose Company, which
organization will attend the funeral in a body. body.

The Call of January 25, 1901

MET WITH UNFORTUNATE EVENING

Harry A. Reber, residing on Main Street this borough, was the victim of a very unfortunate accident at Cressona on Tuesday morning
at 3:30 o'clock. Mr. Reber is a brakeman on a coal train on the P and R road and while engaged in fixing a leak in the air pipe between
the second and third cars to the rear of the engine, the train, without any signal from the engineer, started to move backward. Mr.
Reber had his left hand resting on the bumpers at the time and the middle and third fingers were caught and held there while the
whole train was pushed back a distance of about twenty feet, he being compelled to keep pace with the cars as they moved along.
The tremendous pressure against the fingers crushed them into a horrible mass. Dr. W. Gray was summoned and at first it was
thought amputation would be necessary. A more thorough examination showed hat the bones of one finger only were broken. Mr.
Reber is getting along as nicely as can be expected but of course will be unable to work for some time.

The Call of July 21, 1900

KILLED ON THE RAILROAD

Michael Angelo Costanzo, a laborer on the repair force of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, was instantly killed while at work on
Tuesday afternoon, a short distance below this place. The accident occurred north of McCormick's bridge. Costanzo had gotten out
of the way of an approaching south bound coal train and was walking up the north bound track in an unconcerned manner. Owing to
the noise of the passing coal train he did not hear the approach of the passenger train due at this station at 1:07 o'clock, which came
rushing along and struck him. The bumper of the engine caught him, hurled his body in the air and over a steep embankment forty
feet high. His body landed on a pile of stones and when picked up every bone in his body was broken and his brains were oozing out
of a whole in his skull. The remains were taken to Pottsville on the same train that struck him and were later removed to his boarding
place at Fishbach. The unfortunate man was twenty seven years of age and was a carpenter by trade, but being unable to speak
English he was unsuccessful in securing employment at his occupation and got work on the railroad. He is survived by his wife and
two children, whom he left in Italy four months ago.

The Call of January 1, 1898

STRUCK BY AN ENGINE

Miss Bertha Clemens, who is living with the family of Cornelius Becker on High Street, was severely injured by being tossed out of a
carriage at the Union Street crossing, by a light P and R engine on Sunday night. She had spent the day with her parents at Pinegrove
and was on her way home from that place, accompanied by Aaron Detweiler, when the accident occurred. The view was obstructed by
a number of freight cars and the engine came upon them unexpectedly. The carriage was mashed into splinters and the occupants
tossed a distance of twenty feet. The young lady was taken to a nearby residence and later to the home of Mr. Becker. She remained
in an unconscious state until Monday noon and for a time her life was despaired of. Her condition at the present time is much better.
Mr. Detweiler escaped with a few painful bruises.

The Call of January 18, 1901

SUIT AGAINST P AND R COMPANY FOR DAMAGES

The case of Miss Bertha Clemens of this place against the Philadelphia and reading Railway Company was called for January 15th at
Philadelphia, but was not heard, it being deferred to a later date. The case originated from injuries alleged to have been received by
Miss Clemens by being struck by a locomotive on Sunday evening, December 26th, 1897. On that evening between nine and ten
o'clock, while returning from a drive in company of Aaron B. Detweiler, the carriage was struck by a south bound locomotive drawing
only a caboose at the Union Street crossing, this place. Miss Clemens was pitched into the air and landed on her head some distance
away. When picked up she was unconscious and continued in that state for some time. She was removed to the Pottsville Hospital
where she was given treatment for a number of weeks. Mr. Detweiler also received slight injuries. The carriage was completely
wrecked. It is stated that cars, which completely hid a view of the tracks, were standing on the siding and that no watchman was
stationed at the crossing.

The next two articles are related. A woman is struck by a Reading train and sues for damages three years later...

The Call of October 23, 1897

DEATH ON THE RAILS – Two of Our Railroaders Lose Their Lives on the Railroad During the Week

a brakeman and it is supposed that he slipped while in the act of putting on the brakes. As he was wearing a new pair of shoes this
may account for his falling from the train. The young man had been working on the railroad but a short time and this was his first
week on the main line. He was about twenty four years of age and unmarried. The parents and John B. Garrigan, a well known young
man of town, was instantly killed early Sunday morning near Port Kennedy. He was family who survive have the sympathy of the
community in this loss of a member of their household. His funeral took place on Wednesday morning. The young man was very
popular as was shown by the vast concourse of relatives and friends in attendance. High mass was celebrated in Saint Ambrose
Church and interment was made in Saint Ambrose Cemetery.
Bernard S. Carr Sr., the second victim, was killed on Wednesday morning about two o’clock, by the Buffalo express a short distance
above Auburn. He was a flagman on Engine 877, running between Cressona and Reading, and it is supposed that while in the rear of
his train guarding track, he sat on the rail of the north bound track and fell asleep, having had several shifts without any rest. He was
about fifty two years of age and leaves a wife and large family to mourn his loss. He had just been transferred from the yard engine at
Cressona to this crew, this being his third trip on this run. He was well known as a reliable and trustworthy railroader, and was held in
high esteem by both his employers and his fellow employees. employees.

The Call of November 20, 1897

KILLED ON THE RAILROADS

Willie Cavanaugh, a lad about fourteen years of age, with a companion, was riding a coal train on Friday afternoon and as is the result
in so many cases, had both legs crushed beneath the wheels near Connor’s Crossing. He was taken to his home in Pottsville where
he lingered until about midnight when he passed away. The funeral took place Monday morning. Mass was celebrated by Reverend
F. J. McGovern at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church. The pupils of the school which he attended were present in a body.
body.

This impressive image shows, what was at the time, the new Philadelphia and Reading Railroad station at Schuylkill Haven. The
structure looks very much as it does today as our borough hall.

The Call of July 19, 1901

TROLLEY CAR AFFECTED BLOCK SIGNAL

The discovery was recently made that the trolley cars in town affected the block signal on the P and R Railway near the depot. The
change of the boards without any train making its appearance was repeatedly noticed and watched until the strange workings of the
signal were associated with the running of the cars. When there was no train in the block, with the start of the trolley car at the
corner of Main and Saint John Streets the boards in the signal would be turned to white from red and green. When the car was
stopped at the Saint Peter Street crossing, the boards would return to their original colors, but immediately when the car started they
would again change to white. Expert electricians of the company were called to examine the peculiar performance of the signals and
it is believed they have discovered and remedied the trouble, which it is said, was caused by escaping current from the trolley
passing through the ground and disturbing or effecting the magnets in the signals.

The Call of June 21, 1901

LIGHTNING STRIKES TROLLEY CAR

During the storm on Wednesday evening the trolley car from Pottsville due at this place at six o'clock, filled with passengers, was
struck by a bolt of lightning near the turnout. The car caught fire at both ends and for a time the greatest excitement prevailed. Some
of the passengers were badly frightened and jumping from the car ran some North Ward merchant, who was aboard the car at the time
had his ankle slightly injured. The car was badly damaged.

The Call of August 8, 1902

SERIOUSLY INJURED

Edward Gehrig, an employee at the P and R storage yards met with a severe accident Friday. He was stepping over some rapidly
moving belts at the building in which the coal is cleaned and had a block and tackle over his left shoulder, when the hook of the
tackle caught in the belt and in an instant he was thrown against a heavy railing, which gave way and he fell to the wharf twenty feet
below. His head and back were seriously injured and several ribs were broken. He was removed to his home here and at this writing
is well on the way to recovery.

The Call of September 23, 1899

DEATH OF SAMUEL REPPHARD

The terrible accident that happened to Samuel Repphard last Monday night occasioned universal sadness and sorrow, more so on
account of his being a dutiful son and principal support of a widowed mother. He was employed at the storage yard, unloading coal
cars, when by a jar from another car bumping into the one he was on, threw him off and he fell across the tracks and before he could
recover, the wheels passed over both legs above the knees completely severing them from the body. He was taken to the Pottsville
Hospital but from loss of blood and the severe shock, he died during the night. His funeral will take place Saturday at 1:30 p. m. from
the residence of his sister, Mrs. Clarence Sterner of Haven Street. After interment the funeral sermon will be preached by Reverend
Mutch of the United Brethren Church in Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church on Dock Street.

The Call of September 20, 1901

CAR SHOP EMPLOYEE DISCHARGED FOR ALLEGED OFFENSIVE REMARKS

Morris Schneck, of Cressona, employed at the local P and R car shops, was discharged from the service of the company on Monday,
because it is alleged, he made remarks concerning the assassination of President McKinley that were of a very offensive character.
It appears however, that only one of the bystanders asserts that Mr. Schneck uttered the words attributed to him. Other workmen,
including the foreman of the department in which Schneck worked, say that what he did say was of an entirely different tone. That he
would have uttered the offensive words would appear strange from the fact that he is a stalwart Republican and twice voted for
McKinley. David Runkle, foreman of the shops, stated in an interview that nobody but himself and the company knows the reason for
Mr. Schneck's discharge. However, the general supposition is that he was discharged for the alleged offensive remarks.

The Call of March 4, 1899

ANDY SCHWILK ASSAULTED

Andrew Schwilk, so well known by every citizen of town and particularly liked by the traveling public over the Reading Railroad as an
accommodating and self sacrificing official at the depot as night watchman, was attacked by two men supposed to be tramps last
Saturday and by one of them knocked down. Had any parties been near to assist Andy, they would have been captured and taught a
lesson, but they escaped by running up the railroad and were lost sight of near the Mine Hill crossing. Andy recognize his assailant
however, and fully described him to the police. On Thursday Mr. David Jenkins, a prominent Coal and Iron policeman, brought before
Squire Goas the supposed assailant. His name was James McNeill and he hails from Port Carbon where he lives with his mother and
works at Eagle Hill Colliery. As soon as Mr. Schwilk saw him at the Squire's office, he said, "That's the man who struck me." McNeill
plead not guilty and in default of bail was put up in Fort Levan to await trial at court.

The Call of March 18, 1899

IT WAS SUCH A FRIENDLY LAUGH

John McNeill pleaded guilty to assault and battery yesterday before Judge Bechtel. Andrew Schwilk, night watchman at the P & R
station was the prosecutor and when he took the stand to state the fact sin the case he created considerable had warned a crowd of
intruders away from the station. In answer to Mr. Whalen's questions, he said, referring to McNeill, "He laughed in my face and it was
such a friendly laugh that I did not think He was going to strike me. The next thing he knocked me down and loosened my teeth. He
didn't strike me but once. That was enough." For his friendly laugh and other things, Judge Bechtel sentenced McNeill to pay the
costs, a five dollar fine and serve four months.

The next two articles relate the story of an assault on a Reading
Railroad employee and the subsequent legal proceedings....

The Call of March 9, 1906

LEG CUT OFF

Last Friday night, Thomas Carr of Schuylkill Haven, a brakeman employed by the P and R Company, had his left leg cut off weeks, was
in the act of uncoupling one car from another. He was leaning out over the side of a large "battleship" as the cars are termed, when
an oncoming train on the west track knocked him beneath the wheels of his own train. A car passed over his leg just below the knee,
horribly mangling it. He was picked up in a semi unconscious condition. Dr. Frank McWilliams was summoned, who dressed the injury
temporarily and accompanied the injured man to the Pottsville Hospital on a special train. The injured leg had to be amputated. Carr
is nineteen years of age and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Carr. His father is a well known railroader.

The Call of March 16, 1906

A NARROW ESCAPE

Englebert Geiger, one of our oldest citizens, had a narrow escape from a horrible death on Monday morning. Mr. Geiger was on his
way up town and when he reached the Main Street P and R crossing, the gates were down to let the "Flyer" pass. Thinking he could
get by before the train, Mr. Geiger went around the gates and was just in the act of stepping across the rails when the train came
along and one of the cylinders of the big locomotive struck him and threw him clear of the tracks. Landlord John Binckley and John
Zulick, who were eyewitnesses to the accident rushed to Mr. Geiger's assistance. They picked him up and found him uninjured. He
was somewhat dazed but recovered in a moment and went on his way.

The Call of March 23, 1906

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MINE HILL

By the collision at Mine Hill crossing of Storage Yard Engine Number 93 going south and an empty coal train bound north about 8:30
o'clock last evening, Engineer William Stauffer of the storage yard engine was fatally injured and both locomotives were badly
dismantled. The collision occurred at a frog which threw the two engines together so that they sideswiped each other. Mr. Stauffer's
engine was struck on the right side and the cab was completely torn off. Mr. Stauffer was crushed in the wreckage and badly scalded
from steam from a broken pipe. He also inhaled steam. The within a couple of hours time. Immediately after the wreck Dr. Frank
McWilliams of town and Dr. James C. Gray of Cressona were summoned. Dr. McWilliams arrived first and administered temporary
relief to Engineer Stauffer and Dr. Gray came shortly afternoon a special car and removed the injured man to his home at Cressona
where he died at two o'clock this morning, having never regained consciousness. Mr. Stauffer was forty eight years of age and is
survived by his wife and two sons, Harry who is employed at the P. and R. Cressona office and William, a telegraph operator at West
Woods.

The Call of June 1, 1906

SUIT TO RECOVER BENEFITS

The suit in which Francis Binckley of Schuylkill Haven
seeks to recover $1000 in damages from the P. & R.
Railway Company for the death of his son, John D., who
was fatally injured on the Mine Hill Railroad at Schuylkill
1893, while in the performance of his duties as
brakeman was tried in Court this week before Judge
Marr. The suit is to recover the amount the deceased
was entitled to as a member of the Relief Association,
and which the company refused to pay on the alleged
drink when injured. This the plaintiff denies. Honorable
C. N. Brumm, G. W. Gise and W. F. Shepherd
represented the plaintiff and John F. Whalen the
defendant.

The Call of September 28, 1906

BINCKLEY CASE CONTINUES

The case of Francis Binckley against the P. & R. Relief
Association and in which a disagreement was rendered some
months ago is again on trial in court, a new trial having been
granted. The case is to recover $600 with interest, a death claim
with interest making the total $887.33.

The following articles involve an accident on the
Reading Railroad and the subsequent legal wrangling...

The Call of March 8, 1907

THREE FATALITIES IN ONE WEEK

There were three fatalities on the railroads in this vicinity last week, Harry Zimmerman of Dormers, a P. & R. brakeman fell from his
train beneath the wheels and was ground to pieces at Mine Hill crossing. Anthony Wrda, an Italian employed at the storage yard, was
struck and killed near the Union Knitting Mills, W. P. Richards, of Pottsville, a Pennsy fireman, got off his train to go back with a flag at
a point opposite Connor's and was struck by the flyer and killed.

The Call of April 10, 1903

ENLARGING STORAGE YARD

An Italian padrone last week took three hundred of his countrymen down to the coal storage yard below town where they started the
work of enlarging that plant. The yard's capacity is to be more than doubled and when completed will hold a million tons of coal in
storage. During the slack coal selling season this summer the P and R Company intends to fill the yard to its utmost capacity. It is said
that it will hereafter be the policy of the coal companies to keep all their storage yards filled and to use the stock only in case of strike
or emergency.

The Call of June 12, 1903

A NARROW ESCAPE

Will Riley, water boy at the coal storage yards, had a narrow escape from serious injury the other day. He was working along the
trestle work on the dump carrying two buckets of water attached to a yoke, when he slipped between the ties and was only saved
from a drop of about seventy feet by the yoke, which caught on the ties. He hung in midair until help arrived but suffered no
inconvenience from the experience except a thorough dunking, the contents of the buckets having drenched him to the skin.

The Call of September 30, 1904

LEG CRUSHED BY COAL CARS

Stephen Cole of Landingville, who is employed at the P and R storage yards, had his leg badly crushed below the knee Wednesday
afternoon, which necessitated its amputation. He was riding to Schuylkill Haven on a trip of empty cars and when in front of the P and
R station he slipped in getting off and fell with his one leg across the rail. Before he could withdraw the limb it was caught by the
wheels and badly crushed. Harry Coldren, who has charge of the freight house, saw the man fall and rushed to his assistance and
dragged him from the track. An engine which had come up from Reading on a trial trip was pressed into service and the injured man
was taken to the Pottsville Hospital. Dr. Harry Dechert temporarily dressed the injury before the man was taken to Pottsville.

The Call of September 28, 1906

BOTH LEGS CUT OFF

A runaway draft of cars at the storage yard on Tuesday afternoon crashed into the yard engine, made a bad wreck, and injured two
men; R. W. Wertz of Cressona, the fireman, and John Confehr of town, a brakeman. So great was the force of the collision that the
locomotive was lifted up onto the tender and was badly wrecked, while some of the runaway cars the collision that the locomotive was
lifted up onto the tender and was badly wrecked, while some of the runaway cars were reduced to kindling wood. Fireman Wertz was
sitting on the tank of the engine and was caught in the wreckage and had both legs practically twisted off. A relief train went down
from here bearing Dr. C. Lenker and Reverend D. M. Moser. Fireman Wertz was removed to Pottsville Hospital and brakeman Confehr
to his home here and was taken charge by Dr. Lessig. His injuries consist of a cut on the head, bruised shoulder and steam burns.

The Call of January 25, 1907

LIFE CRUSHED OUT

William Martin, aged twenty one years, was instantly killed Wednesday morning at the storage yards of the P. and R. Company by being
squeezed between cars. Deceased was a resident of Danville. He boarded at Cressona. The body was removed to the rooms of
Undertaker McHenry and was later shipped to the home of his parents in Danville. Deputy Coroner Gray held an inquest and the jury
formed a verdict in accordance with the facts.

The Call of April 10, 1903

KILLED BY PENNSY "FLYER"

Antonio Tutz, an Italian employed as a track repairer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, was instantly killed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
"flyer" Saturday afternoon. The man was at work and owing to the high wind did not hear the train until it was close upon him. He was
struck by the engine and killed instantly. He just lived below town and was about forty years old. Dr. Dechert, the deputy coroner,
empanelled the following jury which rendered a verdict of accidental death: C. W. Horning, G. H. Alspach, Samuel Siegfried, B. W.
Farley, John Mourie and Ellis Nyce.

The Call of July 14, 1905

LOST HIS FOOT

Robert Reber, six year old son of Robert Reber of Spring Garden, had his right foot taken off by the freight train at the Pennsy station
Tuesday afternoon. The afternoon freight going north was on the siding to allow the 5:22 p. m. accommodation train from Philadelphia
to go by. After the passenger train had gone, the freight pulled out and young Reber and his companions ran along side of the train
tagging the cars. Reber tripped over a switch lever, fell headlong to the ground and rolled to one side throwing his right leg over the
rail where it was instantly crushed beneath the wheels of the rapidly moving train. The train was stopped and Dr. J. A. Lessig was
summoned. He dressed the lads injuries and sent him on the freight train to the Pottsville Hospital where the leg was amputated
below the knee.

The Call of June 15, 1906

TROLLEY WRECKS

The Orwigsburg trolley car which left Schuylkill Haven at eleven o'clock Monday morning jumped the track at the school house about
a mile below town. Motorman Sowers, who had charge of the car, had his arm broken in two places and was later whose name could
not be learned, a commercial traveler, was thrown off the car into the Schuylkill River and escaped with a complete drenching. The
scene of the accident is on a curve at the foot of a steep incline and it is later removed to the Pottsville Hospital. Conductor Quinn
had his back injured but declined to go to the hospital. A Traffic on the Orwigsburg line was at a standstill for the balance of the day,
owing principally to the fact that one of the passenger whose name could not be learned, a commercial traveler, was thrown off the
car into the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville cars picked a switch at Seven Stars turnout and had to be replaced on
the tracks before the wreck crew could get down to the submerged car. In the meantime the other Orwigsburg car had to run
between Schuylkill Haven and Seven Stars where passengers to and from Pottsville were transferred.
Schuylkill Haven and Seven

The Call of April 18, 1913

NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING CRUSHED

John Devan,of Schuylkill Haven, employed at the P and R car shops had a narrow escape from being crushed to death Friday
afternoon. Mr. Devan was at work neath a heavy wooden car which was supported by stilts. He happened to be the only workman of
the gang that was neath the car. While at work Mr. Devan had sort of a premonition or idea that he had better get from under the car,
he paid no attention to the same and continued his work. Again he received a sort of definite reason why he did so. Hardly had he
crawled from neath the heavy car when a crash that could be heard for some distance, the car dropped to the platform. Fellow
employees and foremen for a while turned pale and stood aghast, others hurried from the scene, all being of the opinion Mr. Devan
was crushed to death under the car. The suspense was terrible and just as one
of the men was about to make an investigation, Mr. Devan walked around the car from the other side to which he had crawled but a
moment before and dispelled the fears of his fellow workmen. Several employees were so wrought up over the occurrence that it
was with difficulty they continued at their work. As might be expected, Mr. Devan having such a close call from death was also badly
scared and he discontinued for the day.

The Call of May 9, 1913

HAD NARROW ESCAPE

Monday morning about 11:45 o'clock two children of a foreign family residing on "Goat Hill' returning from school had a narrow escape
from being run down with the 11:26 south bound passenger train. The children walked along the north bound tracks for a distance of
about eighty feet and stepping across the tracks as the north bound P and R train passed them when they were on the railroad
bridge, stepped directly in the path of the south bound train. The engineer blew a sharp blast, applied his brakes and turned his head
away expecting that he would hit them. Bystanders attracted by the sharp and sudden blast of the engine looked in the direction of
the train and shuddered as they saw the narrow escape the children had from being ground to pieces. The escape certainly was a
narrow one.

The Call of May 16, 1913

KILLED ON THE RAIL

Clarence Irwing, better known as "Patsy", a young man twenty one years of age, was instantly killed at Mine Hill crossing, early
Thursday morning, by stepping in front of Engine 890 on which he was working. His neck was broken and he was Pottsville, from
which place it was taken to his home in Newton. "Patsy's" stay in Cressona was short. He came here last summer as a pitcher on the
Tiger's baseball team and later secured a position on the railroad and then made his home here. His bosom friend, William Leininger,
with whom he came here last year, was one of the first men to arrive on the scene of the accident. He saw a lamp fly and immediately
knew that something was wrong and later discovered that his friend was the victim of the sad accident. The funeral services will be
held at Newton on Sunday. A special train will be run from here, the crew of which are all men who offered their services. A sad part
of the accident was the fact that he was to have been tried out on the Athletic baseball team of the American League on the twenty
sixth of this month, to which time he was anxiously looking forward.
The news of the sad accident spread about the town like wild fire and many were the expressions of sorrow made by his innumerable
friends here. He was known to everyone in town and was highly esteemed. Besides the parents several sisters survive. The
accident occurred in one of those unlooked for and unpreventable ways. Irwing was walking along the track while a train was passing
on the opposite track. He failed to hear the approach of his own engine until toolate to reach a place of safety. The picture of the
deceased given here is taken from a picture of the Cressona ball team of last year on which he was an invaluable member. On
account of the late date it was impossible to have the same properly enlarged. W. Leininger, whose picture is also shown to the left
of Manager William Grover, who occupies the center, was the close friend of Irwing, he secured him a berth on the Cressona team
and a position in our town. He was also an eyewitness to the terrible accident.

The Call of July 31, 1914

AUTO STRUCK BY TROLLEY

Monday morning an automobile owned by a Pottsville party was struck by the 10:30 trolley as it rounded the curve at the corner of
Main and Dock Streets. The driver of the machine was too close to the track and when the rear end of the car swung around the
curve it smashed into the running board and mud guard of the machine, damaging it to quite some extent. The machine was a brand
new seven passenger car. Either the driver of the car was on the wrong hand side of the street or the motorman, as is very often the
case, did not sound the alarm until at the curve.

The Call of August 21, 1914

TROLLEY INJURES TOWN MAN

Wednesday evening after alighting from the five o'clock car, corner of Main and Saint John streets, Frank Reed of Union Street began
to walk alongside of the car on his way towards saint John Street. The car started and in rounding the curve the rear end swung
around and struck Mr. Reed. He was thrown to the bricked street and fell upon his dinner can. As the car swung, the step went over
him pinning him upon the dinner pail. He was picked up and taken to his home. He is unable to go to work.

The Call of September 15, 1916

AUTO AND TROLLEY COLLIDE

An auto owned by Thomas Stauffer of Friedensburg and a trolley car in charge of motorman Thomas McGovern and conductor Oscar
Bicht, figured in a collision yesterday morning at Hoy's corner. The auto occupied by Mrs. Stauffer, Miss Stauffer and Miss Mae
Berger attempted to pass between the car and a telephone pole while both were in motion. Any other car but a Ford car would have
been crushed beyond repair, but after the trolley was backed, the "little Ford ran along", although the body and fenders were badly
damaged. The occupants of the auto, although badly scared, escaped injury. They were coming from Friedensburg and intended on
leaving the car here while they went to the Reading Fair. The car was taken to Bittler's garage for repairs.

The Call of June 11, 1915

WOMAN FALLS FROM LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD BRIDGE

This morning about eleven o'clock, an unknown woman fell or jumped from the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge near Connor's crossing
to the state road below, a distance of over one hundred feet. She fell directly in front of the auto truck of Guy Payne of Pottsville,
enroute to Pottsville on the state road. The body was placed in the truck and brought to Schuylkill Haven. Dr. A. H. Detweiler made a
hasty examination and advised her immediate removal to the Pottsville Hospital. Her condition was such that it was thought she
would hardly be alive when the institution was reached.
The woman was attired in black and appeared to be of foreign nationality. Passengers on the trolley leaving Schuylkill Haven at 10:30
noticed the woman on the bridge and remarked it was a very dangerous place for her. Reports from the hospital shortly before going
to press were to the effect that very slight hopes were entertained for her recovery. She states her name is Anne Schwenck. She
suffers from profound shock, severe fractures of the right arm and right leg and internal injuries.
Later reports are to the effect that the woman is Miss Anne Geschwindt of Garfield Avenue. Her relatives while they at this writing
had not viewed the body, they feel sure from the description given and from the fact that she is missing from her home, that it is she.

The Call of August 20, 1915

TRAIN STRIKES AUTO OF MRS. RALPH DEIBERT

The Lehigh Valley train due in Schuylkill Haven at 11:30, while backing from the Lehigh tracks to the Pennsylvania tracks near the
Almshouse, on the road to Orwigsburg, struck the auto of Mrs. Ralph Deibert this morning. A serious and fatal accident was averted
by the narrowest margin. The machine was struck by the step of the lead passenger coach and had it been making a fair rate of speed
the occupants of the machine would surely been killed or injured. The train pushed aside the machine but badly damaged it, breaking
the two front wheels, the windshield, the springs, top and hood. It is almost a complete wreck.
The accident was witnessed by Mr. Lewis Hoy who was approaching the crossing but hearing the alarm of the air whistle stopped his
truck thinking the train was close at hand. Just as he brought his truck to a stop Mrs. Deibert, who evidently failed to hear the
whistle, passed him and just as the machine reached the tracks the rear of the train came around the curve. Before she could cross
the rear of the train had caused the above damage, Mrs. Deibert and the occupants of the machine suffered considerably from shock.

The Call of July 21, 1916

CRESSONA GIRL ASSAULTED

A girl by the name of Sticher, residing at Cressona, was the victim of an attempted criminal assault on Wednesday evening last. The
attempted assault occurred but a short distance above the "J" office in town. According to the reports, the girl had been to Pottsville
and came to Schuylkill Haven on the jitney arriving here shortly before eleven o'clock. She started to walk up the railroad and when
near the above mentioned spot was accosted by the man who sprang out from the side of a car and caught hold of her. Miss Sticher
put up a brave fight and succeeded in tearing herself away from the man. Calling at the top of her voice she ran across the bridge to
the Main Street crossing.
Her cries of "murder, tramps", were heard as far as Saint Peter Street. Men rushed from saloons and private homes to answer the
appeal for help. The girl was found in a highly nervous condition and hardly able to make known her adventure. Her hair was
disarranged and her clothing torn. Search was made for the man but he had carefully covered his tracks and disappeared. Several
bystanders volunteered to accompany the girl home which they did.

The Call of July 17, 1914

"FLYER" KILLS ASSISTANT FOREMAN

John Bojack, a foreigner residing on "Goat Hill" was killed Thursday morning just above the Mine Hill crossing. A work gang was
operating on this section of track. Upon the approach of the "flyer", the men left the track. One of the men left a jack sticking in
under the track. Bojack noticing it endeavored to get it out before the train reached the point, but misjudging the speed with which
the train was approaching could not get out of the way in time. The train hit the jack and the jack in turn struck Bojack a terrific blow
of the back of the head crushing in the entire upper portion of his skull.
He was hurried to his home on the hill nearby and Dr. Heim summoned. Upon the arrival of the physician he pronounced life extinct,
death having occurred almost immediately after being struck.
Bojack was an unusual character. He was a most esteemed citizen being enabled to talk English very fluently. He was a valuable
employee of the P and R Company and considered and held in high honor by his fellow countrymen not only in this town but in the
surrounding towns. He was of a quiet disposition, law abiding and when his fellow countrymen occasionally became boisterous or
unruly, his influence over them almost immediately pacified them. His sudden death has caused great sorrow among his fellow
workmen and the residents of "Goat Hill". Members of the gang in which he worked discontinued their labors upon learning of his
death and it is probable they will refrain from work until after his burial. Besides the grief stricken widow, six children, three boys and
three girls survive.

The Call of January 16, 1914

ARRESTED FOR LOAFING

That the Philadelphia and Reading will insist that the continual loafing and loitering at the local station must be stopped was very
forcibly demonstrated upon a number of the town's young men last Saturday afternoon. Five were taken in tow by Officer Butz upon
complaint of the P and R officials and placed in the borough coop. They were compelled to remain in the coop for several hours or
until Officer Duffy of the P and R company arrived in town to make or bring the charges. The hearing was held before squire C. A.
Moyer Saturday evening. The boys were paid and made to pay the cost. Total amount paid by each one was three dollars. A fair
warning is issued by the P and R company that all persons hereafter caught loitering or loafing in or about the local station will be
dealt with according to the law.

The Call of January 16, 1914

HAD NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

Edward Eiler, conductor of a main line P and R freight, had a narrow escape from being ground to pieces by his own train the latter
part of last week. In an attempt to jump on the engine of his train his foot slipped on the step and he fell heavily to the side of the
tracks,missing falling neath the train by the narrowest margin. He sustained a badly wrenched back, a torn ligament in his leg and a
number of body bruises. He continued in his work until "down the road" a good distance when he consulted a physician who advised
his immediate removal to his home. His condition is much approved.

The Call of April 2, 1909

ORPHAN STRUCK BY TRAIN

John Martin, an orphan boy aged about sixteen years, was run over by a shifting engine at the "J" office late Saturday afternoon and
had the bones and flesh of his right foot crushed and splintered. The lad recently accepted a position with William Ball at his Main
Street meat market and was very well liked by his employer and patrons. About four o'clock Haven. At the "J" office he attempted to
board the shifter to ride part way to his home and missing his step his foot landed on the rail and in a moment was crushed to a
shapeless mass at the instep. The lad was removed to Pottsville Hospital where the injured limb was amputated above the ankle.

The Call of February 9, 1917

CAR OF DYNAMITE IN WRECK

A slight wreck occurred Tuesday morning about three o'clock on the Mine Hill Railroad, about midway between Cressona and Mine Hill
crossing. An engine, running tank first, with a caboose attached, ran into a number of cars that had been thrown on the main track by
a shifter. Fortunately no one was injured as several of the crew riding in the caboose jumped before it was reduced to kindling wood
in the crash. It is said that in the train of cars that was run into, was a car loaded with dynamite, more than sufficient to blow up the
entire town of Cressona. The wreck car from Palo Alto was brought down and by noon the wreck was cleared away. The cause of the
accident is unknown.

The Call of February 9, 1917

KILLED AT MINE HILL CROSSING

Injuries received during the severe storm of Monday morning, proved fatal for Tony Zingo of town, less then a half hour following the
accident. Tony, with a number of his fellow countrymen, were at work at about 6:30 o'clock cleaning the switches of snow at Mine Hill
crossing. His cap was pulled down over his ears and he did not hear the approach of a shifting engine. He was struck and knocked
down, his body falling face downward on the outside of the rails and his legs between the rails. The wheels of the engine passed
over him, severing both legs at the ankle, then rolling the body and again passing over both legs between the knee and the hip. He
was discovered by his fellow countrymen and carried to one of the offices. No time was lost placing him on a stretcher and then in a
caboose and he was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital. The ambulance was at the Pottsville station awaiting the arrival of the injured
man but when he was about to be removed, the ambulance physician discovered that he was dead.
The body was then brought back to Schuylkill Haven and taken in charge by O. A. Bittle. At the morgue it was washed and prepared
for burial before being taken to his home in the West Ward. Zingo has been a resident of Schuylkill Haven for the past fifteen years or
more. For a time he was employed at the Reading shops but sometime ago accepted a position as track walker under William
Breininger. he leaves to survive a widow and five children, in town, and one sister living in Hazleton. The widow is about to become
a mother and it is feared that the shock of her husband's death may result seriously with her. Zingo was well known about the town
and well liked by both his own nationality and others.

The Call of February 22, 1918

TICKET AGENT STOPS RUNAWAY GIRL

Ticket agent Howard W. Stager played the part of a Sherlock Holmes on Sunday night. He was given a meager description of a sixteen
year old high school girl of Williamstown, said to be Anna Ralph and who was supposed to be headed this way and was on her way to
Philadelphia. When the Mine Hill passenger train pulled into the local station, Mr. stager accosted the young lady and called her by
name. He invited her into the ticket office where he made her believe that she was being watched by an officer and she should make
no attempt to escape. The girl burst into tears, until her relatives at Williamstown were communicated with. Upon her promise to
return home, the girl was taken to the Holmhurst where she remained until Monday morning and then boarded the first train for
Williamstown. It is said that the girl left home on account of a family misunderstanding.

The Call of June 29, 1917

FRACTURED FOOT TO SAVE LIFE

Fracturing his foot to save his life, was the experience of William H. Hoover of Hegins, who for sometime past has been a resident of
Schuylkill Haven, stopping at the Columbia Hotel. Hoover is employed at the storage yard. This week he was at work on a high trestle
when he accidentally fell and landed in a chute. Feet first he was going rapidly down the chute to an opening that would have allowed
him to drop a distance of nearly fifty feet to rocks below. With presence of mind, he placed his foot against a cross piece just at the
opening and saved himself from the fall. The sudden stop resulted in the fracturing of his foot at the ankle. He was brought to town
where a local physician dressed the injury when he was removed to his home.

The Call of January 26, 1917

TROLLEY AND GROCERY TEAM COLLIDE

The 8:30 trolley bound for Orwigsburg struck the green grocery team of W. J. Fisher near the Baker Ice Plant on Friday morning. Both
Mr. Fisher and his driver were thrown out, the horse injured and the wagon badly damaged. The milk team driven by Lester Bowen,
being in the vicinity of the accident, took fright and ran away and was not caught until it reached Fairmount. Several fences were
knocked down by the Bowen team and a number of other collisions with teams and pedestrians narrowly averted in the mad dash of
the Bowen horse. Lester Bowen was badly injured and had to be removed to his home. It was thought he was internally injured.

The Call of October 10, 1919

PAINTERS FIRED

Several of the painters of the gang at work on the Lehigh Valley bridge received their discharge the fore part of the week. It appears
that during the absence of the boss and several of the other workmen at the Allentown Fair, the remaining members held quite a
regular "Midnight Frolic" one afternoon. The names of several girls from the heart of town are mentioned being present with scant
attire about them, doing more than the jazz dance. The men demanded pay for the time thus spent and when refused became
abusive. An official from Easton was notified of the conditions and the fore part of the week ordered the discharge of several of the
men.

The Call of October 29, 1920

SKULL CRACKED IN AUTO CRASH

Harry Dietrich, a well known farmer residing south of Friedensburg sustained a cracked skull and broken ribs on Tuesday evening
when his auto truck was struck by the six o'clock trolley car out of Schuylkill Haven. The accident occurred in front of the residence
of George Rauch on Dock Street. Whether Mr. Dietrich sustained the injury by being hurled to the bricked street or being struck by
the flying pieces of trolley and auto truck has not been determined. The crash was heard for squares. The man was picked up in an
unconscious condition and taken into the home of Mrs. Shirley. Several physicians were summoned and upon their arrival
administered to his injuries. He was taken to the Pottsville Hospital. An operation was performed Wednesday. At this writing his
condition was very much improved and it is not thought the injuries will prove fatal. Oscar Bicht was the motorman on the trolley. the
truck was in the center of the tracks and windshield and top of the truck which was a closed one were broken. That the motorman
escaped injury was a remarkable as a long pointed piece of the top of the truck crashed through the front window and into the car
proper in an exact line with his head.

The Call of October 22, 1920

TROLLEY STRUCK AUTO

Another one of the expected half hour accidents at the corner of Dock and Main Streets occurred Tuesday afternoon about four
o'clock when a north bound trolley car struck the Ford Coupe driven by Miss Horn and occupied by her mother, both of Pottsville.
That that accident did not result more seriously was due to the quick action of the driver, Miss Horn. The car struck the left fender
with such force as to throw the car against the tree on the Detweiler property on Main Street. The car mounted the pavement and
only by a quick turn did the auto miss striking the pole on the Reed property with terrific force. One of the fenders was broken and
the steering gear put out of commission. The driver of the car claimed the motorman had not given any kind of a signal of his
approach.

The Call of September 24, 1920

TROLLEY CAR HIT FARMERS HORSE THIS MORNING

The 10:50 trolley going south on Main Street this morning struck the horse and wagon of Peter M. Reed, the well known Reedsville
farmer, with such force that the horse was thrown on to the pavement and doorway of the W. H. Finner grocery store. The wheels of
the wagon were badly sprained and the box of the wagon split apart. The horse was bruised about the hind legs sufficiently to
probably make it unfit for service in the vicinity of trolley cars. Mr. Reed was uninjured. Bystanders who witnessed the accident state
the car was moving at a rapid rate, entirely too rapidly for safety. The motorman claims the brakes of the car would not hold. He used
a considerable amount of sand but to no avail and the car struck the wagon a smashing blow which was heard for several squares.
We have been expecting a larger number and more serious accidents on our Main street in connection with the trolley cars and
flagrant violations of traffic laws by trolleymen and autoists as well. One of these days we surely will have a fatal accident to report
and then probably our local authorities will wake up and enforce the traffic laws.

The Call of July 9, 1920

MAIN STREET COVERED WITH FRUIT

There was a grinding noise and then a smash and Main Street in front of the Dechert property was covered with watermelons,
cantaloupes and potatoes, Friday afternoon about three o'clock. It resulted from the three o'clock south bound trolley in charge of
Motorman Quinn and Conductor Butz colliding with a five ton auto truck filled to the top. The auto was proceeding north. The driver
had not reckoned with the limb of a tree which it is understood came in contact with the top of the machine and prevented the driver
from pulling far enough to the side. The trolley tore the rear portion of the top of the truck from its fastenings and scattered the best
part of the load in the street. Neither Messrs. C. Waugh and Frank Waugh of Philadelphia, the drivers, were injured. The truck was
transporting thirty nine barrels of potatoes, four hundred watermelons, and twenty five cases of cantaloupes from Jesse Pitt,
Commission Merchant in Philadelphia to Merchant Sylvester of Pottsville. They left the city Thursday evening at six o'clock and had
not met with an accident until four miles from their destination. However, the men had twice lost their way on account of detours.
They in some way got over in Lebanon and after Lebanon again lost their way. Portion of the fruit was taken to Pottsville on the big
truck, it not having been damaged to any great extent. The balance was placed in the Faust truck and taken to Pottsville. A number of
melons that were split open found welcoming hands and watering mouths of youngsters who soon gathered.

The Call of May 28, 1920

TROLLEY STRUCK TEAM

Friday the horse of Mrs. William Wildermuth residing on a farm above Killian's Dam became unmanageable on Dock Street and refused
to stop when ordered to do so. The horse turned to the side to avoid walking into an auto standing near the Bubeck store. Just as it
turned toward the trolley tracks, the trolley happened by and struck the wagon and threw the horse to one side. The animal dashed
down the street and turned down Berger Street. Here it struck the porch of the homes of this street and almost tore them loose. It
came to a stop none the less the worse for its experience.

The Call of September 12, 1919

ATTEMPT MADE TO BURN CAR SHOPS

A bold and brazen attempt was made to set fire to the P. and R. car repair shops at this place on Monday evening. Had the incipient
blaze not been discovered in time, there is reason to believe a disastrous event might have resulted. Night watchman Oswald in
making his rounds in the vicinity of the oil house around 8:30 o'clock noticed a glare through the windows of this particular
department. Upon closer investigation he discovered a blaze in the middle of the floor. Quickly summoning the engine crew and the
other shop men, the blaze was extinguished. While in the act of doing so, two men in the oil house at the time made their escape.
The watchmen not being armed could do nothing to prevent their escape. The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Police were
promptly notified and remained all night on the clues furnished but up to this writing had yet to land their men. One of the men is said
to have worn a light suit and an overcoat, the other a brown suit and a cap. The north bound train crew reported having passed two
men in the vicinity of the Red Bridge, answering this description, on the run towards Landingville and officers have been busy for the
past two days chasing down leads. Company officers and police in nearby cities have also been notified to be on the lookout for the
men answering this description. The fire was discovered in the packing department of the oil house. The announcement of the
attempt to fire the industry that gives employment to near three hundred men, struck terror and fear into the hearts of everyone as it
recalled to mind the disastrous fire at these shops the latter part of November 1910. People on the past Tuesday remarked that they
worried if the fire bugs on Monday night had succeeded in their object of destroying this industry the company may not have rebuilt
the same and Schuylkill Haven would have lost one of its most valuable industries.

The Call of September 12, 1919

FOUR REAL HOBOES ARRESTED

P. and R. C. and I. Officer McDonald took into camp four hoboes on Wednesday morning that for real specimens of the tramp type no
vaudeville artist in all his ridiculous makeup ever had anything on them. One was a negro and the other three were white men.
Outside of being dirty with unshaven faces and disheveled and long hair, their clothing was a mess. One of the men had no shirt and
we doubt if any had any underclothing. Shoes were in very bad shape and their trousers just about hung together. They certainly
were rough looking characters. They were taken from a boxcar standing along the railroad in the West Ward. One of them stated that
they were circus hands and had gotten into a mixup and were fired. They were on their way to Philadelphia. They were taken to
Pottsville and lodged in jail.

The Call of January 2, 1920

NINE STITCHES FOR HIS EAR

Nine stitches were required to fasten the lobe of Charles Graeff's ear to the remaining portion and nine more stitches were required
to close a wound back of the ear. The wounds were sustained when he was struck by pieces of glass from a whiskey bottle thrown in
a row of some sailors on "Number Nine" arriving here last Wednesday evening. The affair took place below Reading. When Reading
was reached the sailors were placed under arrest. Graeff was sent to a considered on duty at the time. He had not taken any part in
the mixup but got the worst end of the same anyway.

The Call of January 30, 1920

MANY ATTEND P. & R. VETERANS BANQUET

Quite a number of Schuylkill Haven men attended the twelfth annual banquet and entertainment of the Veteran Employees Association
of the Philadelphia and Reading Company in Philadelphia on Saturday. The event was held in the Scottish Rite Hall. There were
between 1200 and 1300 members present together with a number of guests, officials of the company. During the year, thirty one
members of the Association departed this life.
Following the business session, the banquet was served. The menu was as follows: Grapefruit, Pickles, Olives, Mock Turtle Soup,
Sweet Bread Cutlet, Peas, Filet of Beef, Brown Sauce, Glace Sweet Potatoes, Browned Potatoes, Cold Sliced Ham, Potato salad, Ice
Cream and Ices, Fancy Cakes, Rolls and Butter, Coffee, Cigars and Cigarettes.
The program under the personal direction of Frank Donnelly was as follows: Overture, Berg Orchestra, Novel entertainers, MacCarton
and Morrone, Fun and Melody, Three Harmony Boys, Broadway Stars, Frances Hains and Company, Comedy and Talking, Carson and
Willard. Among those known to have been present from town were Frank Reed, William Heim, George Fullerton, Elmer Hartranft,
Thomas Goas, Samuel Shoener, Charles Deibler, John Confehr, Frank Eiler, Joseph Borda, Zachariah Snyder, Fred Jacoby, B. F.
Oswald, Jacob Shadel, Daniel Womer, Milton Deibert, Charles Becker, Clarence Snyder, David Runkle, Gideon Nyce, Charles Reichert,
Mr. Burns, John Coller, Albert Brommer.

The Call of July 18, 1919

FORMER TOWN MAN KILLED

Irwin S. Reber, aged thirty nine, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, recently of Pottsville, met death on the railroad near Mine Hill crossing
under such circumstances early Saturday morning, that it is thought he met with foul play. His body, the both legs having been
severed, was found lying along the tracks shortly after one o'clock by a Schuylkill Haven crew, a short distance above the Mine Hill
crossing. He was brought to Schuylkill Haven and placed on the Buffalo and taken to the Pottsville Hospital. He died about two hours
later.
To the authorities at the hospital he stated he had been thrown under a train. His words were, "Two bums threw me under the train."
Search of his clothing and body revealed the fact that a large sum of money which it was known he had information that could be
gotten from him was the above statement. An investigation is underway but up to this time, no trace of the men alleged to have
attacked him has been learned. It is known he attended the block party in town Friday evening and after having lunch at Cafe
Kauffman, spent some time at the Main Street crossing talking with the watchman and some friends. He left the crossing between
midnight and one o'clock and began walking up the railroad.
Deceased was born in Cressona. He resided in this place for a number of years. He also lived at Allentown and Jersey City. He
resided in Pottsville since last October. He was unmarried. He was connected with a number of fraternal organizations and was well
known about town. He was employed at the Saint Clair shops. Besides his mother, Mrs. Amanda Reber of Berne Street, these
brothers and sisters survive: Howard of Main Street, Schuylkill Haven; Morris, Bright, Foster and Lincoln, the latter two being in the
service, now in France, Miss Mabel Reber and Mrs. George Roeder of town and Mrs. Albert Fessler of Leesport also survive. The
funeral took place Tuesday from the home of his brother, Howard on Main Street. Services were conducted by the Reverend E. G.
Leinbach. The bearers were his three brothers and brother in law, namely Howard, Morris and Bright Reber and George Roeder. C.
G. Wagner was the funeral director.

The Call of September 5, 1919

MOTHER INJURED SAVING SON

Mrs. Emma May Sharp, while walking along the railroad
towards the station accompanied by her son Wilbur to catch
the 6:42 p. m. train south, was run over by train Number 215
in charge of Engineman Slattery and conductor A. O. Wilson.
It appears that when they saw the passenger train coming,
the son ran across the tracks and the mother in trying to get
him out of harm's way, was herself caught and dragged
under the train. Engineman Slattery sounded the shrill
whistle and applied the brakes but although making a good
stop, the engine and the two coaches ran over the
unfortunate woman. She was picked up and placed in a
cabin car attached to Engine 956 and taken to the Pottsville
Hospital. She sustained a cut above her left eye and her two
legs were cut off below the knees. Mrs. Sharp was keeping
house for Roy Delong for several years

The Call of September 12, 1919

MET WITH FATAL ACCIDENT

As the result of being struck and run over by a passenger train at
this place on Wednesday evening of last week, Mrs. Emma Mae
Sharp, of Reading, died at the Pottsville Hospital on Saturday. She
and her four year old son Wilbur were on their way to visit relatives
youngster seeing the train approaching, became frightened and
made his way toward the tracks. The frightened and made his way
toward the tracks. The mother succeeded in getting her son to
safety but was caught by the train herself. Both her legs were
caught by the train herself. Both her legs were by the train herself.
Both her legs were mangled below the knees and they were
amputated at below the knees and they were amputated at the the
Pottsville Hospital, shortly after her arrival there. Pottsville
Hospital, shortly after her arrival there. she she sustained several
body bruises. Mrs. Sharp, who sustained several body bruises.
Mrs. Sharp, who was was twenty six years of age, was the wife of
Elmer twenty six years of age, was the wife of Elmer Sharp, a Sharp,
a returned soldier of the war, who lost a leg in returned soldier of
the war, who lost a leg in the the service. Mrs. Sharp leaves two
children who make their home with her mother. She was employed
as housekeeper at the home of Roy Delong of Schuylkill Street.
The body of Mrs. Sharp was shipped to Reading where funeral
services were held. The burial was made in Birdsboro cemetery.

These two articles appeared in consecutive issues of
the Call reporting a woman saving her son on the
railroad only to die of her own injuries soon after....

The Call of February 11, 1921

CRESSONA MAN KILLED ON RAILROAD

The remains of Charles Erb were laid to rest in Cressona Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon from his late residence on Pottsville
Street. Deceased met his death on Saturday evening when a switch lever hit him on the side of the head killing him instantly. He
started work on the railroad in 1894 as a brakeman on the Mine Hill. A few days after starting his services he was assigned to Mine
Hill crossing where he lost a hand, being caught between the couplings, this being during the time when patent drawheads were
unknown and three linkers were used. He was afterwards assigned to yard services and for many years was a brakeman on the local
scale crew, his duty being to operate the ram car. After weighing one draft of cars he accompanied the engine to pull another draft.
after giving them a start they moved over the crossing and the unfortunate brakeman jumped off his car to turn the switch. He then
gave the signal to come back but when he failed to jump on the ram the crew investigated and found him lying in a pool of water
beside the switch. Dr. Gray was hastily summoned and found the man beyond human aid, the top of his head having been crushed.
Dr. G. O. O. Santee was summoned and upon going over the scene, allowed the body to be removed to his home. Deceased was forty
eight years of age and is survived by his widow Nora, nee Umbenhaur, and one daughter, Hazel at home, and the following brothers
and sisters: John of Cressona, Mrs. B. Baird of Florida, Mrs. Fred Seigert, Los Angeles, California, Mrs. John Aschenbach of
Philadelphia and Mrs. Fred Winn of Pottsville. His mother, Mrs. Kate Erb also survives, making her home at present with a daughter in
Florida. She sent a message stating it was impossible for her to be here in time for the funeral. Funeral services were all conducted
at the home of the deceased by Reverend E. Roy Corman of Saint Mark's Reformed Church of which he was a member. Members of
the following organizations with which deceased was affiliated were present at the funeral. The Order of Independent Americans,
Herndon Lodge Number 550, I. O. O. F., Royal Order of Moose and Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Many pretty floral tributes were
received from relatives and friends, also P. and R. Veteran Employees Association and fellow employees. Members of these
organizations served as pall bearers. O. A. Bittle had charge.

Here is engine number 918 in
front of the "J" office. This was
located in the Reading rail yard
in Schuylkill Haven.

This image shows the official envelope for correspondence for the Mine Hill
and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company. As can be seen, it was
headquartered in the Franklin Institute Building in Philadelphia.

The Call of April 4, 1924

GIRL HAS NARROW ESCAPE AT RAILROAD CROSSING

Miss Ruth Schumacher of Canal Street had what is considered an escape from serious injury and possible death of the narrowest
margin on Friday morning last. Shortly before seven o'clock she was struck by a south bound train at the Union Street crossing. Her
body luckily was pushed and twirled away from the tracks in such a manner that she maintained an upright position and outside of a
bruised hand and arm, a badly torn coat and shock, escaped more serious injury. The crossing gates were down while a north bound
train was passing but as is sometimes the custom by reason of the width of the crossing and a number of tracks, pedestrians
sometimes stand inside the gates. As the end of the train passed over the crossing Miss Schumacher stepped forward not noticing
the approach of the south bound train. The result as above.

The Call of September 11, 1925

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY JUMPING FROM BRIDGE

A man sustained several injuries this morning about ten o'clock by jumping from the Lehigh Railroad embankment at a point where it
crosses Garfield Avenue. The man suffered a broken hip, a broken cheek bone and several holes in his head together with body
bruises. He was picked up and was conscious and freely told that he was driven to his deed by force of circumstances. Not having a
home or financial means of support he sought a home at the county institution. He could not gain admittance and therefore decided
to end his life. The unfortunate man evidently thought to jump clear of the embankment and land in the street below, a distance of
fifty or sixty feet. Instead of that he plunged into the embankment, rolled to the edge of the arch and from that point dropped to the
street, a distance of twenty feet.

The Call of June 1, 1923

AUTOS AND TROLLEY IN SMASHUP

Two autos, an Oldsmobile and a Maxwell, with a trolley figured in a smashup on Main Street Thursday afternoon. It was caused by the
driver of the Maxwell Coupe misjudging the distance between an Oldsmobile parked in front of the Gipe store and a trolley coming
down Main Street. The driver thought he could pass on the space between the parked machine and the passing trolley, a thing which
can be done in most every town and city. The Main Street however is too narrow. The trolley pushed the Maxwell into the Olds and
both were damaged, the latter suffering the most damage. Both cars were owned by out of town persons.

The Call of October 23, 1925

BOY HAD NARROW ESCAPE WHEN HIT BY FREIGHT

Francis, the seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Becker of Parkway, had a narrow escape from probable death or serious
injury Saturday. He was struck by Number 80 freight, south bound, which was shifting at the time at the Union Street crossing. His
heel was badly crushed and he sustained a painful laceration of the nose, in that the skin was scraped off completely, also scraped
from the forehead. The child was taken to the office of Dr. Rutter where the injuries were dressed. He was later taken to the
Pottsville Hospital.
The accident happened about 1:30 o'clock and in a peculiar way. The crossing was blocked by several cars of freight while a car of
slag was cut from the train and dropped on the siding. The car is said to have shunted the cars that were standing on the crossing
and caught and knocked the boy down just as he was crossing at a point north of the crossing. The express wagon that the boy was
using was smashed to splinters and bystanders thought surely the wheels crossed over his body.

The Call of September 24, 1926

FIRE AT CAR SHOPS CAUSES SCARE

The siren alarm Tuesday evening about 11:20 brought all fire companies and many individual persons to the North Ward. Fire had
been discovered in the cribbing at the landing near the Reading car shops. When discovered the flames were leaping several feet
high. With the use of several of the large fire extinguishers of the company the fire was extinguished but not before the Rainbow
Hose Company had arrived on the scene and were about ready to pump from the Dock and throw water on the fire. It is believed the
fire was caused by fishermen who almost daily fish along the banks of the old Dock and by someone perhaps having allowed a lighted
cigarette butt to fall into the cribbing.

The Call of January 21, 1927

MAIL CARRIER HAD NARROW ESCAPE

Agnew Fisher, employed as a mail carrier from the railway station to the post office had a narrow escape from injury and possible
death Thursday afternoon. His presence of mind saved him. The accident was that of train Number 10, due to leave here at 4:37,
south bound, striking and crushing one of the railway mail trucks piled high with mail sacks. A part of the station platform had been
blocked out by a north bound freight train which was cut near the southern end of the station. Fisher, before Number 10 pulled into
the station began to pull the heavy mail truck diagonally across the north bound tracks intending to place it in position along the
south bound tracks. It was struck by the engine and carried down between the engine and the standing freight. Mail sacks were
scattered about but none were damaged. Fisher jumped from the tongue of the mail truck just in time to avoid being struck.

The Call of April 13, 1928

AUTOIST HAD NARROW ESCAPE

An autoist by the name of Shoener had a narrow escape from probable fatal injuries on Friday afternoon on the Main Street crossing
of the Reading Railroad that was not a matter of inches, but according to bystanders, a matter of a fraction of an inch. The crossing
gates were up at the time to permit the passing of the fire trucks responding to a brush fire on East Main Street. One truck had
passed over and the other was expected at any moment. It was for this reason that the watchman at the crossing had permitted the
gates to remain up. A coal train was thundering down the yard and the watchman was vainly flagging the train. Not until the "J" office
was reached did the engineer notice the flagman. He blew the whistle for brakes but the train, having a speed of perhaps twenty five
or thirty miles an hour came on. Just as the engine reached the crossing, the autoist did likewise. People screamed and turned but
the autoist and train missed connection by a fraction of less than an inch, it is said. The train was not stopped until the engine had
passed over the William Street crossing.

The Call of April 22, 1927

INJURY FATAL TO 20 YEAR OLD BOY

The injuries sustained at the Storage Yards Thursday afternoon last proved fatal to Joseph Kehoe, death ensuing at the Pottsville
Hospital Saturday evening fifteen minutes before the midnight hour. Mr. Kehoe had his head crushed causing a severe concussion
of the brain. An xray examination taken of the injured lad Friday showed the seriousness of the accident. Saturday, however, he
showed signs of improvement and took nourishment but in the evening there was a turn for the worse and he passed away before
relatives, hastily summoned, arrived. Deceased was twenty years of age. He was born in Cressona but lived in Schuylkill Haven the
greater part of his life. When two weeks of age, Mr. and Mrs. James McKeone had taken him and given him a home until he was
twelve years of age. Since that time he made his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Heidenweg. Besides his father,
one brother, Daniel Kehoe survives.
The funeral took place Wednesday morning and was largely attended. Father Horn was the celebrant of the mass while Father Caine
and Father Higgins were Deacon and Subdeacon. Mr. Michael Robinson of Pottsville sang several appropriate solos during the
services. The bearers were Thomas, Joseph, James and Lawrence McKeone, John Dalton and Francis Kehoe. Floral offerings were
presented by the following: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Heidenweg, Mr. Joseph Kehoe, Saint Ambrose Catholic Club, Gus Menas, Harry Fox,
Mr. Swalm and employees, P. R. R. Minstrel Men, Mrs. Agnes Fox and family, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tray and family, Boys at Bresslers,
Daley and Dalton family, Storage Yards, Pride of the Nation Circle.

The Call of April 22, 1927

JURY SAYS JOSEPH KEHOE DIED OF ACCIDENT

The inquest to inquire into the death of Joseph Kehoe of Schuylkill Haven was held in the town hall Thursday evening. The verdict
was that he died on April 16th of injuries caused by an accident in the Storage Yards on April 14th. The jurors were H. E. Oswald,
James Schucker, H. A. Goas, Earl Sherer, William Bittle and Charles Bittle. Evidence was introduced from a number of witnesses, most
of whom were employees at the storage yards. The unfortunate young man was in the act of assisting placing a heavy rope on a
wheel or large five foot pulley. From this wheel or pulley other machinery in the plant was operated.
The foreman of the yards, J. M. Guldin, who has been employed by the company at this plant for the past thirty two years explained the
mechanism as above given. James Corcoran and James Lusky, two men who were with Kehoe at the time, stated they were in the act
of guiding the heavy rope around the wheel. Kehoe probably tried to look down into the lower floors through the space in the
platform in which the wheel operates. His head must have come in contact with a spoke of the wheel and he was pinned fast to the
guard around the wheel. In the meantime men below were pulling on the heavy rope to get it around the wheel. William Collins,
Edward Kupko, Harry Sowers, Clayton Phillips all testified they were below and were pulling on the rope. They heard someone cry out
that Kehoe was caught and stopped. They ran up the steps to the platform and by that time they had released the boy and were
bringing him down.

The Call of August 26, 1927

AUTO TRUCK AND TROLLEY COLLIDE

The auto delivery truck of H. A. Yost and a Pottsville trolley came together Monday at 12:30 at the corner of Paxson Avenue and Dock
Street with a resounding crash that could be heard for a square away. The trolley was proceeding towards Pottsville. The truck was
coming out of Paxson Avenue. The driver, Mr. Wetzel, was thrown to the bricked street and close to the wheels of the trolley. A
positive application of the brakes, it was said by witnesses, prevented a possible decapitation, with a deep gash down his forehead to
the eye and a number of several body bruises. He was taken to the office of Dr. Lessig where three stitches were required to close
the wound which bled profusely. The truck was damaged to some extent and was removed by the Hawkins wrecker.

Pottsville Republican of December 24, 1884

ROBBING READING RAILROAD CARS - DETECTED IN THE ACT - SHOOTING AND ARREST

The P. & R. station and depots at Schuylkill Haven are separated by about fifty yards and the freight sidings extend over This makes it
a most difficult place to watch because the valuable contents of these cars are a tempting bait for the The P. & R. station and depots
at Schuylkill Haven are separated by about fifty yards and the freight sidings extend over burglars and housebreakers. A careful and
wide awake servant can perform the arduous duties. Such a person the one hundred yards, which are always full of freight cars
coming in the night , freight for this place and the Mine Hill Road. company have employed in the present watchman, Mr. Edward
Riebsamen, whose courageous defense of the company's property last night deserves a reward. During the night while Mr.
Riebsamen was on his tour of inspection and examination of the cars he found a car broken up, but its contents were not the object
of the burglars search. Continuing further he thought he would drop into the crossing watch box and watch for the return of the
thieves. In attempting to open it he found the lock broken and felt someone pushing inside, which gave way directly, he entered, lit
his bullseye lantern and discovered them to be strangers, he ordered them out and marched them to the depot but while he was
unlocking the door to let them in, they started to run in different directions. Following one, he ordered him to stop. Not receiving a
reply, he shot when the thief returned the fire, thus four shots were exchanged, one only hit the mark which fortunately was in the
right leg of Mr. Riebsamen. As the latter's revolver did not work properly, he made a successful effort to capture the thief and safely
locked him on the depot building. This morning the prisoner was arraigned and committed to jail. Dr. Lenker probed for the ball in
Mr. Riebsamen's leg but could not locate it. He says it will not injure the leg any. The prisoner gives his name as Joseph Schreiner, a
drover for William Weisinger. His mother lives in Tamaqua and her name is Mrs. Layer, having married a second husband.

Pottsville Republican of January 2, 1885

THIEF CAUGHT

The one armed companion of Schreiner, the freight car robber who shot the watchman at the Schuylkill Haven station on the night of
December 23rd, was arrested by Marshal Heisler and his assistant Boone at Pottstown and brought here this morning to have a
hearing before the squire. In default of $500 bail he was committed to jail. His name is John Winch the broken open freight car.

Pottsville Republican of March 29, 1909

HAD FOOT CUT OFF - John Martin Met With Accident at Schuylkill Haven Boarding Shifter

While attempting to jump on the front of Engine 768, used as a shifter around the Mine Hill crossing, John Martin, aged eighteen
years, lost his footing and fell, the wheels of the engine passing over his right foot severing it between the heel and ankle. He was
discovered by the conductor of th engine, John Deiter, who immediately stopped the P. & R. passenger train Number 95 passing
Schuylkill Haven at 4:21 and had him removed to the Pottsville Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the member above
the ankle. The unfortunate young man had lived in Schuylkill Haven but a short time, making his home with his uncle, Thomas Martin
of Connor's Crossing. He was on his way to his home from work at Ball's meat market and attempted to board the engine going in his
direction. Both his parents are dead and his one sister, aged fifteen years, recently came on here from New York state to make her
home with her uncle.

Pottsville Republican of January 25, 1929

CROSSING WATCHMAN RESCUES LAD FROM PATH OF TRAIN

Frank Benseman, crossing watchman at the Union Street crossing, is receiving commendation for his brave rescue of a little fellow
last Thursday afternoon from in front of the Reading northbound express arriving here at one o'clock. The little fellow rescued was a
son of Clarence Zechman who with his sled had passed under the gates which were down. He had not noticed the approach of the
train being intent on the good fun he was to have in sledding on Union Street. The watchman called to him to remain on the west side
of the tracks but he continued on. Benseman realizing that the child would surely be struck and killed, ran toward him, picked him up
and whisked him from the rails just as the freight train passed the spot.

The Call of February 18, 1910

ONE KILLED - FIVE HURT

While thawing coal at the storage yard last Saturday morning, Clinton Graeff of town and a gang of five foreigners were caught under
a fall of coal. One laborer was smothered to death. Graeff was so badly crushed and bruised that he had to be sent to Pottsville
Hospital and the other laborers were more or less injured. Drs. Heim, Lenker and Detweiler of town were summoned to the storage
yard and ministered to the injured and D. M. Wagner was called upon to take charge of the man who lost his life. Mr. Graeff is
improving.

Pottsville Republican of February 12, 1910

SIX BURIED UNDER A RUSH OF 1,000 TONS OF COAL, ONE DEAD

One man was killed and five others injured in a slide of coal at the P. & R. Landingville storage yard at 9:30 o'clock this morning. One
of the injured men is in the Pottsville Hospital in a serious condition while the four others whose injuries are not so serious were
taken to their homes. The dead man is Samuel Pisco, aged about thirty five years, married and residing in one of the company's
houses at the storage yard.
Seriously injured, Clinton Graeff of Schuylkill Haven, aged about sixty years, was taken to the hospital. The four other men, all
foreigners, escaped with minor bruises. The accident happened in bin number eight, which was filled with pea coal. Graeff had
charge of the men who were engaged in taking the coal out of the bin by means of a chute and hot water. Owing to the extreme cold
weather of the past month or more, the coal had become frozen to the depth of nearly twenty feet. The men had undermined the bin
and had directed the stream of hot water to the top, when without warning the roof came down completely burying the six men under
nearly 1,000 tons of coal. The accident was witnessed by another gang of men who were working in the next bin. They immediately
sounded the alarm and in a very short time Superintendent T. J. Cleary had every available man around the plant working to extricate
the men.
While the men were being sought for, word was telephoned to Schuylkill Haven for physicians and Doctors A. H. Detweiler, C. Lenker
and L. W. Heim hurried to the station where they were placed aboard the Black Diamond and taken to the scene of the accident.
Graeff was the first to be taken out. He was unconscious and badly bruised about the head and face. It was thought he was injured
internally. The remainder of the men with the exception of Pisco, who was killed, were found lying near one another. The body of
Pisco was found nearly fifteen feet away from the other men. It was removed to the home. It is not known whether he was smothered
to death or crushed.
Graeff, after being placed on a stretcher, was taken onto the Black Diamond and accompanied by doctors Lenker and Detweiler, the
run to Pottsville was made in record time. They arrived here shortly after ten o'clock and were met by the ambulance. The accident
cast a gloom over the other men, some of whom were forced to quit work. This is the first serious accident to occur at this storage
yard in a number of months. Graeff, the most seriously injured of any of
the men, had been employed at the storage yard ever since it has been operated. He was considered a careful man and was a trusted
employee. He is married, residing on Market Street, Schuylkill Haven and is the father of a large family. The other men injured are all
single.

Pottsville Republican of February 4, 1886

ACCIDENT AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

John McCord, an employee of the P. & R. was severely injured at about ten o'clock this morning near the Schuylkill Haven depot. His
foot slipped while in the act of coupling coal cars and his leg was caught between the bumpers of a high and low car and fearfully
squeezed. Dr. Lenker was immediately summoned to attend to his injuries. Station agent Kline at once dispatched Conductor
Wernert with a special car to convey Mr. McCord to his home at Port Carbon, where he was comfortably cared for within thirty minutes
from the time he was hurt.

Pottsville Republican of November 16, 1886

ACCIDENT BELOW CONNOR'S CROSSING

Last evening shortly before seven o'clock below Connor's Crossing, a colored man by the name of Alexander Holland, hailing from
Port Clinton, was struck by Number 57 freight train and hurled against a pile of railroad iron piled up beside the road, breaking his leg
below the knee, also receiving an ugly gash on the head. The unfortunate man was picked up by some of the Mine Hill men who were
working at the crossing. They conveyed him to the dispatcher's office where every attention that could possibly be done to ease his
suffering was done. Dispatcher Simon had Dr. Dechert on hand promptly to attend the case. A special engine and car conveyed the
man to Port Clinton accompanied by Dr. Dechert and several employees of the Mine Hill road. It appears the man was walking on the
down track from Pottsville and stepped over onto the up track to get out of the way of Number 68 freight train which was passing
down, not noticing Number 57 freight which was coming up, hence he was struck. The injured man is about thirty years of age and
single, being one of the bachelor brothers at Port Clinton, where they are keeping Bachelor's Hall. The chances are he will recover.

Pottsville Republican of February 3, 1887

HURT AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Samuel Ritzel, a young man about twenty eight years of age and brakeman on Number 69 freight, had his arm and wrist badly hurt
while coupling the caboose to the train at Schuylkill Haven this morning about nine o'clock. His injuries were dressed at Coxe's drug
store by Dr. Piper, who accompanied him to his home in Palo Alto. Drs. John T. and James S. Carpenter were summoned and upon
consultation with Dr. Piper at his home on West Savory Street, it was decided to amputate the arm three inches below the elbow which
was done by Dr. Carpenter.

Pottsville Republican of March 29, 1887

COLLISION ON THE P. & R.

What might have been a serious accident occurred on the Mine Hill road between Cressona and Mine Hill crossing at four a.m. today.
The scale engine with caboose attached in which the car catchers were being taken home collided with a coal train coming up. The
result was as heretofore been repeatedly demonstrated that it is an impossibility for two engines to pass each other on the same
track without resulting disastrously. When it is done without any injury to human beings there is little sympathy felt for the damages
occasioned to machinery. In this case however, one person was seriously hurt while others had a narrow escape. When taken into
consideration that there are three dispatchers and four telegraph operators located between the points, there is no question but
what this accident is the result of some gross negligences.

Pottsville Republican of July 24, 1885

ACCIDENT AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Frederick Hess, aged about sixty five years, for many years in the employ of the P. & R. Company at their Schuylkill Haven shops, this
morning met with a painful accident, the result of which can not be foretold. He was caught between two cars and sustained a
fracture of several ribs, two of which were torn from the breast bone. It is feared he has also received internal injuries. He is an old
and respected citizen of the town.

Pottsville Republican of August 10, 1888

HE HAS OUR SYMPATHY

A lumber clerk and two law students went to Schuylkill Haven the other evening to attend the sociable of the school of methods. So
taken up were they with the intellectual enjoyment inseparable from conversation with the fairest and brightest of the teachers that
they missed the nine o'clock train. They took the P. & R. station agent into their confidence brightest of goodness of his heart,
suggested the twelve o'clock Reading freight as a means out of their difficulty. So anxious were they to get aboard the train that they
went below the station. Two got on alright but the third, a law student, chose the center of a coal car (the most dangerous part) to
make the attempt and hung for some time between heaven and earth before he could be induced to cease kicking. About the site of
the old Mount Carbon rolling mill, an idea struck one of the party. He said the A lumber clerk and two law students went to Schuylkill
Haven the other evening to attend the sociable of the school of methods. So taken up were they with the intellectual enjoyment
inseparable from conversation with the fairest and brightest of the teachers that they missed the nine o'clock train. They took the P.
& R. station agent into their confidence brightest of the thought he would alight in bird style. He jumped in bird style but the
alighting was different. His face, hands, wrists, knees and toes were bruised and scratched.

Pottsville Republican of September 21, 1888

FIGHTING RAILROADERS

A P. & R. coal train brakeman named Prosser charged Fireman William Daubert with having reported him for sleeping on duty. Daubert
denied the charge. At Schuylkill Haven Prosser attacked Daubert on the tank of the engine and it is further alleged Prosser threw
lumps of coal, iron links and pins at the engine cab and broke four or five windows. Engineer Christman then interfered when
Prosser savagely attacked him and so furiously that the engineer says he was compelled, in self defense, to knock him down with a
hammer. Prosser bled freely but continued full of fight until the train reached Auburn. Then Prosser telegraphed ahead that he had
been assaulted and demanded an arrest. Prosser, it is alleged, then continued his throwing of missiles at the fireman until the train
reached Mohrsville, refusing to say even when threatened with death by those whom he assaulted. When they reached Reading,
special officers were summoned and Prosser was discharged. The train was then guarded until out of danger.

Pottsville Republican of December 13, 1888

CRUSHED BETWEEN CARS

At three o'clock yesterday afternoon at Mine Hill crossing in Schuylkill Haven, Philip Mengle met his death almost instantly while
coupling cars. A run of disabled cars was being made to the repair shops, when the train parted between two cars, one of which had
a bumper on and the other had none. In attempting to recouple them, Mengle was caught and squeezed so terribly, that death
ensued in a few minutes after the occurrence. Deceased was aged about twenty five years, was married to the daughter of the
unfortunate man Rubrecht, who met his death on the railroad but a short time ago and was well respected by all who knew him. He
leaves a wife and three children, the youngest being an infant of one week. Deputy Coroner Palm summoned a jury and held an
inquest which found a verdict of accidental death, no blame attaching to anybody. The jury consisted of l. J. Thomas, A. Felix, Charles
Keller, L. B. Beckley, Levi Kissinger and Daniel Fisher. Deceased was a member of Camp 47, P. O. S. of A. who will have charge of the
funeral.

Pottsville Republican of August 17, 1889

MULES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK

Harry Weisner of Schuylkill Haven, has been pasturing some mules on the farm of E. B. Peale below that town. Last night they
escaped through an open gate and started up the Pennsylvania Railroad track. They were overtaken by the freight that comes up
about 11:00, two of them were struck by the engine, one had a front and hind leg cut off, which necessitated his being shot, the other
was badly hurt about the hips. The rest of the mules were driven down a bank forty feet high onto the Bowen premises. Mr. Weisner
had just sold the mules that were hurt for $275.

Pottsville Republican of December 11, 1889

A DANGEROUS ARCH

The Schuylkill Haven Record says: The arch across Garfield Avenue, recently finished by the contractors on the new road, is said to
be cracking, thus making it a very dangerous passageway. The arch is constructed of brown mountain stone and was finished two or
three months ago but the mortar could not have become properly set, owing to the wet weather, which kept it moist. At this point
there is a fill of about forty feet or more for which purpose many tons of dirt have been hauled and dumped upon the arch. The great
weight has proven too much for it and there are several cracks in the roof of the arch. The archway thus becomes dangerous for
persons to use as a passage way and the contractors will be called to account for it. If the arch must be rebuilt it will cost a large
amount of money and not only incur a great loss to the contractors but will also put back the work of construction. It is understood
the work will be examined by experts at once so as to avoid all possible danger from caving in.

Pottsville Republican of August 16, 1889

THRILLING STRUGGLE OF A CONDUCTOR

last night while bringing the accommodation from Philadelphia that arrives here at 9:30 o'clock. A crowd of men got aboard at
Schuylkill Haven and among them J. Kane of Mount Carbon. He and Conductor Moyer, so the story goes, had some Harry Moyer of
Reading, one of the most genial of the P. & R. main line passenger conductors, met with a thrillig experience dispute about the fare
and the train was stopped. Kane refused to get off and in the struggle that ensued it is said he first tried to dash Moyer out one
window and then out of another across the way. The glass in both windows was broken. Moyer, who is a big strapping fellow, then
caught Kane by the throat and held him between two seats but a friend of Kane pulled Moyer off. Then another desperate struggle
began and Moyer was dashed against the rear door with such force that the glass was broken. The conductor called for assistance
several times but none of the train hands responded. Officer Wartman of Reading was this morning sent after Kane, who is a
powerful, athletic young man. Ordinarily he is well behaved and just what prompted him in this case will appear in the hearing.

Pottsville Republican of March 19, 1907

THREE MEN IN BUGGY RUN DOWN BY ENGINE

A very serious railroad accident, which may result in the loss of one or more lives, took place shortly after noon today at Connor's
Crossing near Schuylkill Haven, when a team from the Schuylkill Haven Gas and Water Company was struck by a P and R train and the
occupants of the wagon seriously injured. They are James Bowen, of Schuylkill Haven, back badly injured and at first believed to have
been broken, but later surgeons were hopeful that the injury was not so serious. Charles Kline, of Cressona, badly cut but should
recover and William Krommes , of Cressona, who has severe internal injuries. The wagon was demolished and the horse was killed
instantly. They were returning to the gas house after making repairs at the pumping station. An attentive watchmen guards the
crossing and it is unknown how the wagon entered the tracks. They were on the crossing when a south bound freight train struck the
wagon and hurled it forward, throwing the men a considerable distance. The three were semi conscious and bleeding severely.
Krommes was removed to his home and the other two were removed to Pottsville. Bowen later died at the hospital of his injuries.

Pottsville Republican of November 16, 1907

BREAKING CHAIN COST HIS LIFE

By the breaking of a chain on a big steel B & O battleship, Joseph Burns, aged about 23 years, was instantly killed at eight twenty
o'clock this morning at the Landingville storage yards. He was on the car as a draft was being run onto the dump at that place and
was tightening the brake when the chain snapped. He lost his hold by the sudden release of the brake and fell directly under the car,
which ran down the grade, cutting off the top of his head, also the right hand and breaking his left leg near the hip and his right arm
near the shoulder. Death was instantaneous. Deceased was employed as a brakeman by the P & R Company and resided in Schuylkill
Haven at the home of his father, James Burns. He was a well known young man, being popular in that town and among the railroad
men with whom he came in contact. He was a member of the Foresters, the A.O.H. and also the Brotherhood of Trainmen. The body
was removed to the Wagner undertaking parlors and prepared for burial there before being sent to his sorrowing home.

The Pottsville Republican of September 20, 1909

PENNSYLVANIA FLYER HAD NARROW ESCAPE

The Pennsylvania Railroad Wilkes Barre Flyer, south bound, which left Pottsville at 10:25 this morning had a narrow escape from being
wrecked at Connors. Just as the train struck the big curve at Connors which leads to the Schuylkill Haven station on the top of a very
high embankment, the pony wheels of the engine left the track. The train doesn't stop at Schuylkill Haven and consequently was
going at a very high rate of speed. Engineer J. wells immediately applied the brakes and brought his train to a stop in a distance
about double its length. Passengers were badly shaken up by the sudden stop but no one was injured and the engineer's prompt
actions saved the train from being wrecked. The Mount carbon wreck crew was called for and a few hours work placed the engine on
the track again. It occurred where the railroad crosses over the wagon road. The track is about twenty five or thirty feet above the
wagon road. The train was in charge of Conductor J. H. Burnapt. The cause of the accident was due to the breaking of the flange on
one of the pony wheels.

Pottsville Republican of October 17, 1932

Unknown Man Killed in Fall, Man Whirls, Then Falls Down Embankment
at Connors to Schuylkill Haven Pike, Pebble Punctured Brain

Suddenly whirling about as he walked along the Pennsylvania railroad tracks at Connors, then falling or jumping down the side of the
embankment, an unidentified man was fatally injured about three o'clock Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses of the accident said they saw the man walking along the tracks from Schuylkill Haven towards Pottsville. Just a short
distance above the junction of the Schuylkill Haven pike with the road to Cressona, the man was seen to spin about and then roll
down the bank to his death.
His fall ended on the old macadam Schuylkill Haven pike and he was almost instantly killed. Witnesses said they believed the man
suffered a spell.
Undertaker Berger, Cressona, was summoned to the scene of the accident, and the body was later removed to the D. M. Bittle
morgue, where it may be viewed.
The man was about sixty years of age, five feet eight inches tall, weighed about 110 pounds and had a dark moustache. He had no
teeth and coal black hair. He wore a blue coat and trousers with white pin stripe, light brown necktie, brown fedora hat, boy scout
shoes and black stockings and a light shirt with collar attached. In the hat band the name of the maker or dealer, "Mark Cohen, Long
Island" was found.
Patrolman Walters of the State Highway Patrol is investigating the case. A pair of eyeglasses, with telephone wire used as ear pieces
and a watch chain were found on his person. A description was sent over the police teletype, but no response received. Numerous
callers at the morgue failed to identify the man.
An examination of the body disclosed the man had died of a puncture wound of the brain, caused by a pebble on which he landed and
which penetrated through his hat and drove the piece of cloth torn from the hat into his brain.

**The next day the man was identified as Frank Eustace, Eleventh and Race Streets Pottsville, a well known baseball player who was
apparently planning to get a train in Schuylkill Haven to visit his ill father in New York but returned toward Pottsville instead.

Pottsville Republican of September 20, 1932

TRACKS TORN UP TO SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

All tracks and overhead equipment of the trolley company between Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven has been removed. The work of
tearing up rails, wires, etc. was completed late Monday. The tracks were torn up from Centre Avenue in Schuylkill Haven to a point
near the arch at Mount Carbon.

The end of an era....

Pottsville Republican of February 25, 1890

THE ERECTION OF THE COAL CHUTES STOPPED

The work on the large and extensive coal chutes in the course of erection in Mine Hill Gap has been stopped. Nearly one hundred
men had been employed on them the last three or four weeks and considerable headway had been made. Here roads had been
graded into them, coal banks leveled and hollows filled. The men were thunderstruck when the order came, "Stop all the work on the
chutes." On inquiry it was learned that the company has not given up the idea of erecting these coal receptacles but have concluded
to build them at a point on which surveyors are now at work, below Schuylkill Haven, so what is Mine Hill Gap's loss is Schuylkill
Haven's gain. The reason, which is a good one, is by building them at that point the coal that comes over the two planes can be
dumped in the chutes; whereas, if built where first intended, only the coal that came from the Gordon Plane could be deposited in
them.

Pottsville Republican of April 5, 1890

THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STORAGE BINS

At a point about a mile and a half below Schuylkill Haven, a few yards south of what is known as the Black Bridge, on the P. & R., is
where the railroad track that leads to the new coal pockets starts and runs parallel with and west of the main line, at a grade of a foot
and a half to the hundred feet, for a distance of thirty one hundred feet, when at this point there will be a tail track five hundred feet
on the level. From here the road will run back again on the hillside toward Schuylkill Haven, a distance of five hundred feet, and
another tail track will run on a level northerly five hundred feet more beyond. From the beginning of this tail track, the road again
goes south and continues to ascend the mountain on the same grade for two thousand feet, to the beginning of the yard or trestling
work. This trestle will be eighteen hundred feet long with an average height of thirty feet above the ground. Beyond this point, or at
the end of the yard, there is still another tail track five hundred feet long to be used for storing cars before dumping. No better idea
can be formed of the course of the track necessary to reach the trestling than to look at the letter "Z" and imagine a five hundred foot
continuation at each junction point. The lower end of the "Z" represents the start from the main line and the rest shows the grade
and reverse track necessary to attain the elevation above the pockets to the dumping track. The pockets or wharves are to begin at
the northern end of the upper tail track and run parallel to it extending for eighteen hundred feet. The loading track will be built
between this tail track and the wharves and will extend to Landingville a mile and a half below the chutes and connect there with the
main line. The perpendicular height from where the coal is dumped into the chutes to the loading track will be seventy feet. The
storage bins proper will be 230 feet wide and 1800 feet long and will hold about 250,000 tons of coal.
"Few people," said one of the officials, "have any concept of the immense amount of work being done here. In fact I don't believe
there ever was another enterprise attempted in the county where such a compact large body of men and animals were used at the
one time to forward its completion." And such we fully believe to be the case for we were informed that four different classes of
workmen under their distinctive department heads were engaged in the work, including as it does nearly four hundred men all told,
representing engineers, railroad laborers, timber men and breaker builders. Here you see the engineers still staking on, next you
come across gangs excavating for the railroad track and everywhere the noise and bustle of those engaged in clearing away the
timber and the underbrush, whilst carpenters are busy shaping timber. None are in the other's way, each tends to his business and
all are kept busy, busy, busy. The timber after being cut is snaked down to the main line where it is loaded and sent to the collieiries.
The space cleared from a distance looks like an immense cemetery, the stumps of the trees resembling tombstones. When
completed a view of the chutes will be had from the main line trains and will be a sight worth traveling to see, as it will have the
appearance of a series of big grain elevators.
Mr. John R. Hoffman, division engineer of the P. & R., has chief charge of the improvements while the detail work and engineering are
looked after by his gentlemanly, efficient and confident assistant, John H. Strauch, who has also been aided from time to time by
Assistant Engineer George Brooke. William McAdams of town, has the contract of building the road and has about 275 men and forty
head of cattle employed, whilst Robert McAdams, S. R. Dougherty, John Maloney and Nick Madara each have charge of a gang of
Hungarians and Italians. Frank J. Kavanaugh is timekeeper and Danny Christian has charge of the commissary. Frank J. Alber is boss
of the blacksmith shop and shoes the horses, sharpens the picks and draws out the axes, all with his one hand, whilst it is surprising
to see the work he turns out in the shape of hammers, pinchers and the like. Profiting by the experience obtained from the smaller
concerns at Mahanoy City and Shamokin, the Schuylkill Haven pockets will be nearly perfect as far as human agency can make them
and will be models of workmanship and ingenuity. Everything will be done to facilitate the handling of the coal and from the dropping
of the car bottoms on top of the trestling to the opening of the gates at the foot of the pockets the coal will travel by gravity, thus
avoiding the costly rehandling and loading necessary at other storage points.
The idea of these storage pockets is to prevent the sacrifice of unsalable sizes. Generally these are chestnut, egg and stove.
Ordinarily in summer the largest and smallest sizes can be sold as fast as mined to furnaces but the household sizes must be either
sold at ruination prices or stored and this latter the Reading proposes doing, so that this year their collieries will work steadier than is
usual and those sizes that can't be sold as fast as mined will be stored. To do this requires immense capital as well as confidence in
the ultimate outcome, but among the benefits arising from this action will be steadier work for the mines, work when others are idle
and a pretty uniform price the year round because of the Reading's ability to flood or starve the market at any time with anthracite
fuel, which advantage will again enable the Reading to lord it over the other corporations as King Coal the same as in days gone by
instead of being at the mercy of others.

Pottsville Republican of April 18, 1890

THE WORK ON THE COAL CHUTES

The work on the coal pockets below Schuylkill Haven is being pushed as rapidly as possible. It is the intention of the company to
push the work in order that the surplus coal, for which there is no demand, may be stored away. It is expected that in the course of a
month, work will be so far advanced on the operation that coal may be deposited in the chutes. Just as soon as the work on the
pockets has advanced to that stage, all the collieries operated by the P. & R. will commence work. There is a demand for furnace and
pea coal but for other sizes the market remains inactive. Any reports that such and such collieiries will start up before those pockets
are finished are not to be relied on. The company is doing all in their power to get these pockets ready in order that their miners may
be able to get to work on steady time.

Pottsville Republican of April 22, 1890

SERIOUSLY HURT

Daniel Zimmerman, living in Schuylkill Haven, was seriously hurt this morning by a tree falling on him while at work at the coal chutes
clearing below that place. He was in the act of looking which way he should fell the tree he was at work on and did not notice that
another chopper had cut through and was descending at the time. He is about sixty years of age and at last accounts was in a critical
condition.

Pottsville Republican of April 29, 1890

WORK PROGRESSING RAPIDLY

Work at the coal chutes is progressing rapidly and from the hills at the southern end of Schuylkill Haven a good view of the roadway
for the different tracks is easily obtainable. The past four Sabbaths, drilling and blasting has been vigorously prosecuted. The scene
on a week day is very lively. On a bright day when the sun shines on the hillside where they work, the gleam from the long rows of
flashing shovels raised when throwing out the dirt presents a pleasing sight. It is a busy time at the bend in the river, so the folks say.

The following series of articles describes how the mammoth coal storage yards south of
Schuylkill Haven, part of the Reading Railroad Company, came to fruition beginning in early 1890..........

Pottsville Republican of November 3, 1885

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT - A FIVE TON ROCK FALLS AT POOR FARM CUT
The Narrow Escape of a Laborer From Instant Death at the Cut of the P. S. V. Railroad at Schuylkill Haven

About five o'clock last evening at the poor farm cut, there occurred another of those terrible accidents that are becoming so frequent
on the line of the P. S. V. While a number of Italians were working in the area loading dirt, a large boulder, wall above the men; and
falling, struck one of the laborers on the back, knocking him against the rocks. The stone fell over him, one end resting on the
bottom of the cut, the other leaning against the side. Five of his comrades immediately ran to his assistance and attempted to release
him but finding their united efforts totally unavailing, they secured About five o'clock last evening at the poor farm cut, there
occurred another of those terrible accidents that are becoming assistance and succeeded in liberating him. He was removed to the
shanty situated near the southern end of the cut and so frequent on the line of the P. S. V. While a number of Italians were working in
the area loading dirt, a large boulder, a physician was summoned. Dr. Lenker of Schuylkill Haven at once responded. The man was so
badly hurt as to preclude all possibility of an examination. He was given something to quiet him and induce sleep and when the
"Republican" all possibility of an examination. He was given something to quiet him and induce sleep and when the "Republican"
reporter saw him, was apparently sleeping.
Dr. Lenker intends making an examination tomorrow morning. The injured man's associates fear that he is hurt internally. Some of
the employees who reside in the immediate neighborhood claim that it was purely accidental and exonerate all parties from blame.
Some of the Italians say that the blasts loosened the rock; that the men warned the boss and proposed that he send a couple of them
with pry bars to knock it down, but he thinking it perfectly safe replied that there was no danger and was himself not far away when it
fell. They also reported that the boss was chased off by the infuriated workmen soon after the occurrence. The sides of this cut are
almost perpendicular and owing to the splintered condition of the shale are liable at any time to cave in or fall off, requiring constant
attention to prevent accidents. The wonder is not that he was hurt but that more accidents do not occur.

Pottsville Republican of February 10, 1886

ANOTHER ITALIAN LAID LOW

At the deep cut near Schuylkill Haven, on the section of Drake, Stratton and Company, an Italian was yesterday fatally crushed by the
falling of rock and was conveyed to the Almshouse where he died soon afterwards. Deputy Coroner Dr. Dechert summoned a jury
with Mr. Peter Stanton as foreman, who after a half day's time taking evidence, rendered a verdict of accidental death.

Pottsville Republican of April 1, 1886

P. S. V. DEPOTS

Bids for the erection of depots for the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad Company at Schuylkill Haven and Auburn will be opened
today at the office of the company. The plans and specifications for these structures have been examined and found to be in keeping
with all the work done by the great Pennsylvania Company along all their lines. The depot at Schuylkill Haven will be a two story red
brick, black mortar pointed structure of handsome architectural design, spacious in dimensions and substantial in construction. The
specifications for the high cellar calls for the best stone and brick masonry and perfect drainage and ventilation. The main floor will
be divided into two large waiting rooms, for ladies and gentlemen respectively, a baggage room and toilet rooms for the different
sexes and a cozy ticket office and staircase between the waiting rooms. The rooms are to be wainscoted with chestnut five feet four
inches high, the floor of clear yellow pine, the window casings of white pine, doors of chestnut hung on butt hinges all to be of the
best workmanship and all the window screens to be of double rolled wrought iron. The second story will be fitted up in first class
style for dwelling purposes and the roof will be of slate. The specifications call for the best of material even to the minutest details of
the building and for first class workmanship all around, form the foundation to the finishing in painting and glassing. From the
drawings which were shown us by Chief Engineer Brendlinger and from the minute demands of the specifications, we feel inclined to
congratulate our Schuylkill Haven neighbors upon the promised early construction of the most commodious and stylish passenger
depot in Schuylkill County.

Pottsville Republican of September 23, 1886

THE P. S. V. ROAD

The railroad crossing over the Schuylkill Haven - Landingville river road at Brown's, is bound to be famous. It has figured in two suits
in court, has been a bone of contention between North Manheim Township and the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad for a year
now and now to show its enterprise crops out n another way. Last Saturday evening it was the scene of an accident. One of the
engines used on the P. S. V. was returning from near Auburn, the train consisting of three gondolas which were pushed ahead of the
engine and were occupied by some of the workmen. Landingville was passed, just this side, between the two points where the P. S.
V. crossed the township road. The P. S. V. had laid a side track. The train came spinning along and almost reached the crossing when
some of the men on the front car jumped up and ran back. The front car left the track bumping along on the sills for about a hundred
feet and cutting great gashes in the wood. Just as it left the track the pin was drawn so it ran further than the second which was
stopped before it got far. The forward trucks of the front car were turned around so that the wheels stood at right angles to their
former positions. The engine and third car remained on the rails and after some time the second car was also drawn on, but number
one stayed where it was over Sunday. They claimed that the engine which had used it last had not properly cleared the switch and it
was the sight of the half moved switch board that gave them the alarm in time to retreat. Several persons report narrow escapes in
driving over this place. One says he was nearly run over the other morning by the workmen's train. On Tuesday a passenger coach
was drawn over this end of the road. It came up from Hamburg. Great quantities of coal dirt are hauled down the line, sometimes as
high as fifteen cars at a time and several trains daily. It is being used as track ballast near Auburn.

Pottsville Republican of November 14, 1892

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION! Another Reading Locomotive Blown Up
FIVE OLD RAILROADERS KILLED
Another Fatally Injured-Gathering Up The Mutilated Remains-Sketch of The Victims
A Big Loss Entailed Upon The Company-Details of The Occurrence

It is our sad duty today to chronicle another explosion of a locomotive of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, which
occurred this morning near Connor's Crossing, about three miles south of this place in which five strong, able bodied men were
blown into eternity and one seriously if not fatally scalded. The ill fated engine was known as one of the L class and was Number 563.
The killed are the following:
Henry C. Allison of Palo Alto, aged 44 years, married leaving a widow and a married daughter, engineer of the ill fated engine.
Charles J. C. Mackey of Port Carbon, aged 28 years, married, leaving a widow and one small child, fireman of the ill fated engine.
Charles H. Kendrick of Port Carbon, aged 32 years, married leaving a widow and four small children, conductor.
William Cowhey of mount Carbon, aged 59 years, married leaving a widow and twelve children, engineer of locomotive Number 73.
William H. Moyer of Palo Alto, aged 26 years, married, leaving a widow and two small children, fireman of engine Number 73.
The injured man is Michael Dobbins of Mount Carbon, single, badly scalded and Unconscious.
The ill fated engine with a long draught of empty cars and manned by Engineer Allison and Fireman Mackey were on their way from
Port Richmond to Palo Alto an after arriving near the overhead bridge of the Lehigh and Schuylkill Valley Railroad, a short distance
this side of Connor's Crossing, the locomotive exploded with the above horrifying results. It is difficult, yes impossible, at this time, if
it ever can be done, to give the true cause of this very disastrous explosion. Michael Dobbins, the only surviving witness up to noon,
lay suffering and unconscious at the residence of his parents at Pinedale or East Mount Carbon. The attending physician regards his
condition so critical that he has placed his patient under chloroform to alleviate his sufferings and has refused any to see him
excepting those in attendance upon him.
Persons who were in close proximity, however, say that the train stood still at the time because the engine had run out of steam. The
blower had been put on to accelerate her steaming up and it was during this process that the boiler exploded. Dobbins alighted prior
thereto and evidently it was to this cause that he escaped being hurled into the future, as were the rest of his more unfortunate
companions. Cowhey and his fireman Moyer had just returned from a trip to Reading for which place they left about ten o'clock
yesterday morning. They had, shortly prior to the accident, taken their engine, Number 73, and placed it into the roundhouse at
Cressona. After their return trip and as was their custom, they went to the office at Schuylkill Haven to board the first engine north
bound so that they could ride to their respective homes, which they however never reached alive. Their bodies, with the other
victims, now lie cold in death, with the bereaved widows and orphans gathered about their biers, whose only support and heads of
families have gone forever. The scene is heartrending.
THE VICTIMS
Henry C. Allison, the engineer of Number 563, was a native of Panther Valley, a short distance west of Cressona, where he was born
about forty four years ago. He early went to railroading and was one of the most careful of the many engineers in the employ of the
company. He was a Union soldier during the Rebellion and was a member of Gowen Post Number 23, G. A. R. and Seneca Tribe
Number 41, I. O. R. M. He leaves a widow and a married daughter, the wife of Bert Nimbleton, to mourn his loss. His only son was
buried a little over a week ago. His funeral will take place Thursday afternoon from his late residence, 606 Bacon Street, Palo Alto.
Charles J. C. Mackey, fireman, resided at Port Carbon. He was about 28 years of age and leaves a widow and one small child. He was
a prominent and active member of the following organizations: W. C. Number 134, P. O. S. of A.; Grand Commandery, Number 36 P. O .
S. of A.; Golden Rule Castle, Knights of Pythias; Schuylkill Lodge, I. O. O. F. Number 27 and the Port Carbon Band. He was the efficient
secretary of the latter organization.
Charles H. Kendrick was also a resident of Port Carbon and was about 32 years of age. He too, leaves a widow and four small children
to mourn his loss. He was the conductor of the ill fated train.
William Cowhey resided at Mount Carbon and was in his 59th year. He was twice married. Four grown up children from the first union
survive him. His second wife he leaves a widow with eight small children ranging from fourteen years to an infant of but a few months
old to mourn his sad death. The deceased was a soldier on the Union side in the late Rebellion and he was a prominent member of
Gowen Post Number 23, G. A. R.
William H. Moyer is a native of Summit Station on the S. & S. Railroad where he was born about 26 years ago. He engaged as a
railroader about five years ago and removed to Palo Alto about three years after accepting the employment as fireman. He leaves a
widow and two small boys, aged four years and nineteen months respectively. His funeral will take place on Wednesday. Interment
will be made at the Summer Mountain Cemetery. He was a member of the Summit Station Lodge of the I. O. O. F.
THE SCENE OF THE EXPLOSION
The explosion occurred immediately under the overhead bridge of the L. and S. V. Railroad. The engine Number 563 was of the L
class, which are used to draw freight. Although she was running north the force was so great that she was lifted completely from her
frame and turned southward in the opposite direction. Everything about her has been shivered to pieces and she was, to use a
railroader's term, "turned completely inside out". The railroad track for a short distance was also torn up. It is truly wonderful when
the wrecked condition of the engine is taken into consideration, that the bodies of the victims were not more badly mutilated.
Excepting Cowhey and Moyer, whose bodies and faces were somewhat battered, the others were not so badly mangled or defaced.
THE CORONER AT THE SCENE
At four o'clock this morning, Deputy Coroner Dr. H. G. Weist of Schuylkill Haven, was aroused and immediately summoned a jury. The
Coroner, B. C. Guldin also appeared as early as possible and they with the jury viewed the scene of the accident. No testimony will be
taken for a day or so to await the condition of the injured man, Michael Dobbins. The jury consists of Messrs. Hock, Fry, Greisinger,
Jones, Brown and Brennan.
The steam crane which is used to remove debris and other material in the event of a collision or any other accident on the railroad
was broken a few days ago and the wreck crew was therefore very much hampered in removing the wreck. The wreckers under
Yardmaster William Sabold worked very faithfully notwithstanding their great drawback.
A THEORY
The Reading Railroad has been very unfortunate during the past year with the number of explosions of locomotives which have
occurred. One old railroader this morning assigned the following as the prime cause why these engines have exploded. He said in
substance the crews are compelled to run their engines at a very high pressure to draw the very heavy trains which are put behind
them for the past year. To keep up the great pressure of steam and the quantity used the fires are forced and the exteriors of the
boilers are burned out and something must give way.

Pottsville Republican of November 15, 1892

CLEARING THE WRECK! Around the Scene of the Locomotive Explosion
AWAITING DOBBINS' RECOVERY The Inquest Will Not Be Held Until He Is Able To Testify - His Condition Improving Slightly
- Particulars Coming Out Slowly

John Day, well preserved man of over seventy years of age, who ran an engine for over thirty years and has worked on the railroad
ever since 1862, was the watchman on duty Sunday night where the engine exploded on the Reading Railroad at Connor's Crossing, a
small station three miles south of here, whereby five men were killed outright and one was very probably fatally scalded. Day says it
was 12:15 when Engine 563 pulled up and stopped just south of his watchbox, where the wagon road between Cressona and
Schuylkill Haven crosses the railroad, and sorted out a long string of cars onto the sidetrack. Owing to difficulty experienced in
getting out some bent coupling pins, they laid there fully twenty minutes, after which they started north again for Palo Alto with the
balance of the train but they had trouble starting and they made very poor headway and he judges that they had allowed the steam to
run down. They made several starts and stops before they could get by his place and when they had gone beyond it a little over a
hundred yards, they stopped again, and immediately thereafter the explosion occurred.
He was half stunned himself and greatly bewildered and when he was starting to go up to the head of the train, brakeman Dobbins
came running to him with his clothes all afire and crying to him to help him extinguish the fire on his person. Day aided Dobbins in
tearing off the burning clothes, after which at his request he gave Dobbins some water with which he washed the dirt out of his eyes
and from his face and hands. Dobbins said to him, " They are all killed. Oh, see if you can help Harry Allison." By this time men came
running up from the Mine Hill Junction dispatcher's office and the Schuylkill Haven railroad yards and after sending out flagmen to
stop all trains, search was made for the victims of the catastrophe. Cowhey and Moyer were found on the south bound track just
above his watch box where they had dropped after being blown against a wall of rock several hundred feet high. Engineer Allison
and his fireman, Mackey, were found underneath the engine and Kendricks, the conductor of the ill fated crew was blown several
hundred yards into a field to the east of the tracks. Before the accident the engine was headed north and by the force of the
explosion it was turned upside down, the tracks on top and heading to the south, virtually making a back somersault to the east of the
track. The cylinder head and front of engine were a hundred feet still further south.
The explosion occurred directly beneath the long iron bridge of the Lehigh Valley and Schuylkill Railroad which crosses the
Pennsylvania Railroad, turnpike, canal, the junction railroad river, valley and Reading tracks at a height of about fifty feet. This bridge
was not injured in the least. The bodies of the victims were gathered together and taken into Day's watchbox and after being viewed
by the coroner were sent to their late homes. The faces of all but one were unrecognizable and their identity was disclosed by the
clothing and bodily appearances alone. At six o'clock last evening all evidences of the wreck had been cleared away excepting the
frame of the immense boiler and firebox which was lying along side the track. Company officials were early on the ground and
thoroughly examined into the cause of the accident and this was made plain late yesterday afternoon when they loaded up the crown
sheet and sent it to Palo Alto.
On the crown sheet is unmistakable evidence that the explosion was caused by low water as the iron is badly burned to a deep blue
color and the marks show just how high the water was. Friends and all railroad men, after seeing this, acknowledge that there was no
other cause. It is thought that in the excitement in trying to get the bent coupling pins out and shorten the delay on the siding as
much as possible, that unintentionally the water was allowed to get low. Day says that Dobbins told him that when the engine stopped
at Allison's request, he had got down on the task to get a bucket of water with which to extinguish a fire that had started on the jacket
and that Allison had just started his pumps. 7

Pottsville Republican of October 20, 1891

A TRAMP RUN OVER

James Stoudt, who gave his residence as Reading, and who attempted to board a moving train at Schuylkill Haven last evening, fell
along side of the moving train and had his leg so badly mangled that it was thought at the time it would have to be amputated. He was
taken to the Almshouse and from reports the leg will be saved. The unfortunate man claims to be respectably connected in Reading.

Pottsville Republican of January 28, 1892

WRECK ON THE P. S. V.

An early morning freight train coming to Pottsville ran into the rear end of another train at the switches below the bridge at Schuylkill
Haven, wrecking several cars, the engine, and throwing the tender from the track and strewing freight and cars in every direction.
One employee, whose name we were unable to learn, ad his hand mashed. The wreck was so serious that the 6:15 a. m. passenger
train did not leave until 8:15 for Philadelphia and points down the road. All up trains were late in consequence. The engineer of the
up train was to go on the siding below the bridge but never saw the preceding train until he struck the caboose, notwithstanding the
rear brakeman was back to flag the up train. The second brakeman had his two arms broken and otherwise badly bruised. He was
taken to his home in Phoenixville.

Pottsville Republican of November 9, 1891

CONNOR BRIDGE AFIRE - The Long Trestling Narrowly Escapes Danger
THE THREE BRAVE YOUNG GIRLS! They Make a Timely Discovery While a Sunday Stroll

Yesterday afternoon Miss Kate, daughter of William Beck of Beckville, in company with two Sunday Pottsville lady guests, Misses
Annie Detner and Lizzie Kohler, started out for a walk, crossing the Schuylkill to the east side and as they arrived at the point where
the Pennsy runs under the east end of the long trestle from Connors they discovered the woodwork above to be on fire and getting
under good headway. The brave young ladies preserving their presence of mind undertook to smother the flames by throwing dirt
and sand upon them. They soon recognized the futility of combating the destroying element in this manner, when Miss Beck
exercised her sprinter agility in another direction. She ran to the home of Daniel Reichert and gave the alarm. That gentleman soon
formed himself into a bucket brigade and with a pail of water in each hand hastened to the scene and by a judicious disposition of
Schuylkill water was successful in outening the fire and preventing the threatened destruction to a large portion of this very
extensive structure.
The young ladies state that the Lizard Creek train from Mauch Chunk had passed under the bridge but a few minutes earlier in full
view and that the probabilities are that a spark from the locomotive of that train fell upon the tinder like woodwork of the trestle and
originated the fire. As the bridge is not used on Sunday, the Lehigh Company keep no watchman on duty on that day. It was certainly
a close call and the young ladies no doubt prevented considerable damage to the structure by their timely discovery and the company
owe to them more than passing recognition, while as a "fire company", our old friend, Daniel Reichert, should receive a liberal
contribution with which to keep his old fire apparatus in repair and running order.

Pottsville Republican of March 10, 1892

FATAL ACCIDENT

Amos Freeman, a conductor of a coal train on the long road was found unconscious under the cars near Schuylkill Haven this
morning, badly squeezed. He must have been in the act of coupling cars when he fell under. He was taken to his home. A
correspondent sends us the following account: Mr. Freeman was knocked off a gondola loaded with stone at Mine Hill crossing at
7:15 and was rolled and doubled under the oil boxes. He was taken out unconscious but came to in half an hour. His chances for
recovery are doubtful. He has a wife and two children. Mr. Freeman was well liked by everyone. Mr. F. J. Simon was on hand and saw
that the injured man was well taken care of.

Pottsville Republican of March 31, 1892

WRECK AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

As P. & R. freight train Number 60, which leaves Cressona about 11:30 a. m. was pulling off a siding above Mine Hill crossing this
forenoon, the tracks spread and several cars containing car were wrecked and contents partly destroyed. The wreckers were soon
on the spot and in a short time the tracks were cleared away. The disabled train did not get away until late in the evening. The crew
all escaped uninjured.

Pottsville Republican of July 16, 1892

NOT A HOAX AS REPORTED

The report or rumor going around that a P. & R. employee at Schuylkill Haven, who had a leg amputated, complained of great pain in
the injured foot caused by a bunion, so much so that he could not rest, also that it was finally determined to take a look at the mangled
foot and have it disinterred. This was done and the bunion was found resting tightly against the sides of the box. The foot was
rearranged and the moment this was done the man was relieved. This report or rumor is not a hoax but it is really true and is verified
by one of our oldest citizens, William Roan, who himself lost a limb, which was buried in a tight box, and it was not until the limb was
disinterred and loosely arranged that he could rest. Mr. Roan names others who experienced the same uneasiness. Among the
unfortunates who lost a limb on the railroad located here are: William Roan, George A. Schaeffer, Colonel Irving W. Tyson, Henry
Hagner, Abraham Saylor, Andrew Schwilk, Squire Patrick O'Brien, Thomas Gordon and Levi Minnig.

The Call of August 11, 1905

STRUCK BY A TRAIN - Wally Bernheiser Returning From an Errand of Mercy Meets Death

Wally Bernheiser, aged thirty two years, employed as farmer for William Becker on the Long Run Road about a mile from Schuylkill
Haven, was killed by train Number 11, the Buffalo, southbound at one o'clock Wednesday morning at the Union Street crossing.
Bernheiser was returning from Pottsville with his employer's team, having taken Mr. Becker and the latter's ten year old son Howard
to the Pottsville Hospital where the lad underwent an operation for appendicitis. The boy died and Mr. Becker remained with the body
and sent Bernheiser home. Dr. Cleaver, the lad's physician, who had gone to the hospital with him, returned home with Bernheiser in
his own conveyance, but going through Schuylkill Haven got some distance ahead and drove out to the Becker farm where he
awaited Bernheiser's coming.
Bernheiser, in the meantime, in driving over the Union Street crossing of the P. & R. was struck by the train. His carriage was
completely wrecked and he was so badly injured that he died soon after the accident. The horse he was driving was not injured but
the collision stripped him of harness and carriage and he ran in mad fright to the Becker farm. The appearance of the horse without
carriage or driver alarmed Dr. Cleaver, who drove back to town to endeavor to find Bernheiser.
Andrew Schwilk, night watchman at the passenger station, heard a crash as the train approached and asked Engineer Joe Sprenger if
he had struck anything but the latter said he had not. Mr. Schwilk told him of the crash he had heard and Mr. Sprenger got down and
examined his engine, fearing that something might have broken about the machinery. Finding everything alright, the train
proceeded.
After the train had gone, Mr. Schwilk and Morris Saylor, yardmaster at Cressona, made an investigation and found the wrecked
carriage and the body of Bernheiser. Bernheiser was still alive and they removed him to the station and telephoned for the Pottsville
Hospital ambulance. The ambulance got as far as Mount Carbon where it was blocked by a coal train. In the meantime Bernheiser
died and word was sent to the hospital to recall the ambulance.
Dr. Daniel Dechert, Deputy Coroner, empanelled the following jury to inquire into the cause of Bernheiser's death: Floyd Keever,
Preston Souder, Milton Quinter, Adam Mayberry, R. S. Underwood and C. S. Goas. They viewed the body after which it was taken in
charge by the man's relatives. Mr. Becker and family were almost completely prostrated by the death of their son and the terrible
ending of the life of their farmer, whom they thought of very highly and considered as one of the family. Mr. Becker is foreman of
Meck and Keever's Mill. The jury rendered a verdict of accidental death and censured the P. & R. Company for not maintaining a
proper guard at the Main Street and Union Street crossings. George W. Gise, Esquire, who represented the unfortunate man's
relatives was present at the inquest and questioned the witnesses.

Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1892

HARRY FREILER KILLED

On Saturday evening between the hours of seven and eight o'clock. Harry Freiler, formerly of this town, was killed at the coal
storage at Landingville. He was in the act of coupling when he was caught between the tank of the engine and the car, squeezing
him in a fearful manner that death was instantaneous. He was a son of the late Jacob Freiler, barber, and was twenty six years old.
Last October, he was married to Miss Kate Gehring of Frackville. They boarded at Cressona. He was, until a year ago, employed at
the Laubenstein screen works at Minersville, when he took a position on the P. & R. Railroad as a brakeman. He will be buried at the
latter place.

The Call of March 20, 1903

CRUSHED TO DEATH

Milton Kline, aged twenty two years, while unloading cars at the storage yard Tuesday evening, was knocked beneath the wheels by
the cars bumping and was instantly killed. His remains were removed by D. M. Wagner's undertaking establishment and prepared for
burial after which they were taken to the home of his mother, Mrs. Oliver Emerich of Berne Street. He was a most exemplary young
man. He was a P. & R. deputy during the strike. A brother was similarly killed several years ago. Deputy Coroner Dechert empanelled
a jury who rendered a verdict of accidental death. Kline was a member of Webster Council Junior O. U. A. M. The funeral took place
Saturday afternoon.

The Call of August 11, 1905

WRECK IN THE STORAGE YARD

A wreck at the coal storage yard resulted in the smashing of two cars and the steam chest of the locomotive. A draft of empty cars
was being brought down from the dump and the yard engine shifting on the track which led to the old trestle work was going to make
a flying shift. It hit the empties just as they reached the frog and two cars went down over the bank. Conductor Kinsley saved his life
by jumping.

Pottsville Republican of May 5, 1892

SAD ACCIDENT AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Silas Farrady, an inmate at the Schuylkill County Almshouse, was given leave to visit Pottsville yesterday, and on his return walked
down the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks. When he reached the arch at Spring Garden, Schuylkill Haven, he lost his balance and fell to
the street below, a distance of about twenty feet, expiring a few hours later. Farraday was sixty years old, and for the last five years
was an inmate at the almshouse. He was formerly a resident of Pottsville and was noted as a pugilist. Failing eyesight was the cause
of the sad accident. Deputy Coroner Weist of Schuylkill Haven and a jury held a post mortem inquest at noon and returned a verdict
of accidental death. If the body is not claimed by tomorrow morning it will be sent to Philadelphia for dissection.

Pottsville Republican of February 15, 1894

KILLED AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN
Daniel Mulholland, a Brakeman on the P. & R. Squeezed By Cars

Daniel Mulholland, a resident of the West Ward, Schuylkill Haven, aged thirty eight years, employed as a brakeman on the shifting
engine at the car shops at that place, while coupling cars this morning about eight o'clock was squeezed so badly that he died shortly
after its occurrence. Mr. Mulholland was a carpenter at the car shops but he came under the suspension about a month ago and had
been employed as brakeman only three weeks before he met with the accident this morning that cost him his life. The deceased
served one term in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, having been a member of Company F, Fourth Regiment of Pottsville, when
Captain E. D. Smith commanded the company. He received his discharge when his term expired but had intended to reenlist but for
some cause never did so. He was also a member of the Emerland Society of Schuylkill Haven for many years. He was a man of
commanding presence, being tall, and had many warm friends in civil and military life. His comrades in Pottsville greatly regret his
untimely death and all speak of him in generous terms.
He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Catharine and the late Peter Meyer of 414 West Arch Street in Pottsville, whom the
deceased leaves to survive him with two sons. The relatives in Pottsville were unaware of the sad accident until after the arrival of
the eleven o'clock train on the P. & R., when Joseph Meyer, his brother in law broke the news to his family. Deputy Coroner Henry G.
Weist summoned a jury and held an inquest on the remains.

The picture below shows the "J" tower in the yard at Schuylkill
Haven and the photo at the right shows the crossing guard
shed, although the exact location in town is not known.

Pottsville Republican of December 9, 1893

BENEFIT ENTERTAINMENT - SURGICAL SKILL

The boys around town, as they might be called, invariably turn up about the right time and do the proper act. Now about two months
ago, Jere Huling, a conductor on the Mine Hill branch, had one of his legs caught under a car wheel, stripping it of the skin from the
ankle to near the hip and badly bruising the foot. Under the skillful treatment of Dr. Lenker, the limb is now nearly healed, but entirely
devoid of skin on nearly half the surface of the limb. With doctor bills to pay and a family to support, without any income, is
distressing enough, so the boys are going to give an entertainment on next Wednesday, the thirteenth, with the proceeds to go to
the invalid. It is hoped that every reader of this will purchase at least one ticket. There are already six hundred disposed of and the
performance will consist of minstrelsy, sparring matches, and clog dancing. The next act will take place by the same performers a
week later and is decidedly of a more serious nature. Jere Huling's leg skin must be obtained somewhere. The boys are now ready to
go on with this act also and when Dr. Lenker says the word, their arms will be bared and unflinchingly he will be offered all he needs.
Don't you ever sit in judgment upon your neighbor for you can't see the heart within him.

Pottsville Republican of February 17, 1894

TRUE FACTS RELATING TO THE OPERATION ON JERE HULING'S LEG

There have been several accounts of the skin grafting operation that was performed at the Miner's Hospital, Thursday on jere Huling,
who was injured on the Reading Railroad some months ago. None of these accounts have had the facts. Huling had the skin and
flesh stripped off one of his legs to the bone and the wound could not heal. Dr. Lenker sent him to the hospital and made
arrangements to have this operation performed.
Five of Huling's friends, F. A. Binckley, Ellis Reed, John Bowen, Lewis Bitzer and Frank Rheam, agreed to stand the pain and give to
Huling as much of their skin and flesh as was needed to perform the operation. It was a noble offer and there was only one condition
put in it and that was that the Reading Company should supply them with a pass to and from Ashland. As they were not employees, the
company refused this request. This meanness on the part of the company however, was not allowed to interfere with the operation
and the men were taken to Gordon on an engine. From there they were driven to the hospital by the Honorable D. D. Phillips.
The operation was performed by Dr. J. C. Biddle, superintendent of the hospital, assisted by Dr. Lenker of Schuylkill Haven. Between
260 and 270 pieces of skin were transferred from the bodies of these men to Huling's leg. Binckley stood the operation for between
70 and 80 grafts, Reed for 65, Bowen for 65, Bitzer for 60 and Rheam fainted after four had been taken from him. The operation was
very successfully performed. All the men are being congratulated on the way they served their friend and Morris Saylor is also
deserving of credit for the active part he took in helping to arrange this matter.

Pottsville Republican of January 7, 1918

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN CUT IN TWAIN

Failing to put a blue signal on the track in front or behind the car on which he was working as required by law, Francis Emerick of
Schuylkill Haven, aged sixty five years, was cut in twain at the P. R. R. yards in Mount Carbon on Sunday morning. He died in five
minutes. Emerick was behind the car and the shifting engine threw two cars against this car under which Emerick was working and he
was pinned beneath the front wheels which went over him. Working with him was Charles Dress, also of Schuylkill Haven and Dress
went away for a simplex tube and while he was gone the accident occurred. The car under which Emerick met his death was shopped
for having a defective lock pin. Emerick, a car inspector and general handy man, who was considered one of the most valuable men
at the yard, noticed the marks of defects and started to work in repairing the car. Emerick is a widower and has two married sons, one
living in Schuylkill Haven and the other in Tamaqua. Yardmaster C. B. Hughes conducted an investigation and the coroner will hold an
inquest within a few days.

Pottsville Republican of January 10, 1918

EMERICK DEATH ACCIDENTAL - Victim Is To Blame For His Own Death For Failure To Put Up Signal

The coroner's inquest into the death of Francis Emerick of Schuylkill Haven, who met death when he was repairing at car at the P. R.
R. yards on Sunday morning last, rendered a verdict of death by being crushed beneath the wheels of a car, which he was repairing
and that death was accidental, Emerick failing to put up the blue flag as required by the rules of the company, to protect men working
on or about any cars. The crew was exonerated as well as the railroad company. Charles Dress, who worked with Emerick on the day
of the fatality, I. L. Dougherty, the engineer, John J. Brehoney, the conductor, W. F. Miller, the brakeman, C. E. Staller, gang leader, F.
E. Lindermuth, a carpenter and W. J. Bimmer, foreman car inspector, Yardmaster Hughes and Chief of P. R. R. Police Meiswinkle were
the witnesses. Evidence showed that neither Dress nor Emerick observed the flag rule as required in the book of rules. Coroner
Moore and Coroner Dirschel conducted the inquest.

Pottsville Republican of November 30, 1910

HUGE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN CAR SHOP FIRE CAUSED EXCITEMENT

The largest fire in the history of Schuylkill Haven occurred last evening when the greater part of the car shops located there went up
in smoke causing a loss estimated at nearly one half million dollars. That the entire structure was not destroyed was due to the work
of the Schuylkill Haven firemen with their chemical engine. Six times the main structure was on fire and each time the firemen at the
risk of their lives went between the burning buildings and there fought back the flames, thus not only saving the main building but
also keeping over four hundred men from Cressona and Schuylkill Haven from being thrown out of employment.

The flames were discovered shortly after 7:30 o'clock by the night watchman Dewald. About the time they were discovered by him, the
members of the shifting crew at Mine Hill Crossing noticed them and sounded an alarm by blowing the engine whistle. This alarm was
followed several seconds later by the shop whistle. The later whistle was heard over the entire towns of Cressona and Schuylkill
Haven and caused the companies to respond. Watchman Dewald had passed the blacksmith shop just fifteen minutes before the
flames burst out. He had walked to the oil house and carpenter shop and was on his way back to the upper end of the yard, when the
shop went up like so much powder. It was only a question of a few seconds before the flames communicated to the carpenter shop
adjoining, all the buildings being of wood. From the carpenter shop, the flames then communicated to the engine house and then to
the warehouse and storage department. The main shops are situated directly across from the blacksmith, only the stretch of a
boardwalk, ten feet wide, separating the two buildings. With the destruction of the machine shop and the carpenter shop went all the
expensive machinery and the tools belonging to th employees. In the storage department were forty carloads of seasoned timber of
all descriptions. This was all destroyed.

After the fire companies of Schuylkill Haven had been fighting the fire for the best part of an hour, it was seen that the flames were
gaining headway every minute and word was sent from the trainmaster's office at Cressona to police headquarters asking for
assistance. The word was communicated to the proper officials and the American and Humane steamers and the American chemical
were ordered down. The American chemical left here at 8:20 o'clock and was on the scene of the fire in exactly one half hour. The
two steamers arrived in Schuylkill Haven shortly after nine o'clock, but it was fully an hour later before the trucks were unloaded and
run along side the banks of the old dock. After the steamers started work, great progress was made in fighting the flames. The
chemical engine worked from the one end and the two steamers from the handicapped the firemen, driving the smoke and sparks
into their eyes and faces. It was impossible for the firemen to work more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time. They were then
relieved and others took their places. This was continued until early this morning.
Shortly after three o'clock the American chemical was ordered home as it was noticed by the officials that the two steamers had the
situation well in hand and that it would only be a question of a few more hours before the fire would be declared extinguished.
Shortly after midnight the hose companies sent to Pottsville for more hoses, gum boots and coats. These were
collected and taken to the local Reading station, where Engine Number 101 was in waiting with an extra car. The material was loaded
aboard and reached the men shortly after one o'clock.

Engine Number 101 containing Superintendent Keifer and a number of officials from Reading arrived at the scene of the fire at about
ten o'clock having come from Reading. They immediately consulted with Assistant Teammaster Satterlee and Superintendent David
Runkle of the shops. All of the employees of the shops who could possibly be communicated with were ordered to give all the
assistance possible to the steamers. These men assisted in unloading the two steamers and helping pull them to the side of the
dock. Superintendent Keifer remained with the men until early morning when he was summoned to Reading on important business.
Superintendent Runkle stayed on the scene all night and rendered valuable assistance to the men in fighting the flames.

An estimate made of the number of those who were attracted to the fire puts the figure at nearly four thousand men, women and
children. From eight o'clock until late into the night every car out of Pottsville carried a hundred or more people. Nearly the entire
population of Cressona and Schuylkill Haven was on hand and watched the Pottsville firemen do their work.

The Schuylkill Haven car shops were erected over fifteen years ago and cover nearly an acre and a half of ground. These shops were
formerly located along the tracks in the west ward of town. At the first it was seen that they were too small to accomplish the
necessary work and the new shops were ordered built. Employment is given to 450 men. In order to keep this number, it is
necessary to maintain a payroll of over 500 men. Many live in Schuylkill Haven and throughout the southern end of the county. A
large number come by train daily from Pottsville and local districts. The majority of these men will be thrown out of employment for
the time being.   A question was raised with the Schuylkill Haven bosses whether or not the shops will be rebuilt. A "Republican" man
asked that direct question to Superintendent Keifer last evening. He said the final decision would be by President Baer but he could
see no reason why the shops would not be rebuilt. The Schuylkill Haven shops of the Reading are the third plant on the important
Reading system and is surpassed only by those at Wayne Junction and at Reading. A great deal of new work has been done at the
Schuylkill Haven shops.

Some of the reasons advanced why the Schuylkill Haven shops will be rebuilt are that it has long been acknowledged that the
Schuylkill Haven plant was operated at a less percentage of cost than any other where repair work was done by the Reading,
anywhere, this is partly of the fact that there are no labor unions at Schuylkill Haven and also because of the ability to get plenty of
hands in the fall and winter, when work is rushed, and in the summer, when railroad work is slack, many of those hands work about
the farms and other summer work, so that the arrangement has always been a mutually satisfactory one to both employer and
employees. The Schuylkill Haven shops were located at the junction of the Mine Hill Division at the Main Line and were situated on
the site of the old canal landings, much of the plant being erected on new made land and on platforms resting on pilings driven into
the water and gradually filled up with debris and rubbish until the foundation became permanent. The Reading Company is under
great obligation to the railroaders and citizens of Schuylkill Haven, who did such gallant work to prevent the spread of the flames,
many of these men injuring their health and damaging their clothing in fighting the fire and it would be no more than right for the
officials of the Reading Company to at once institute close inquiry to ascertain those who assisted in fighting the fire and then make
some cash remuneration that will in part pay their employees and volunteer firemen for the damages they sustained in laboring for
the preservation of the Reading's property.

Someone high up in authority in the Reading blundered terrifically in not seeing to it that there were proper fire fighting facilities at
the shops. There was plenty of water all around in the old canal basins but there were no permanent engine pumping attachments to
elevate the water up in time of emergencies and had it not been for the bucket brigade work of the employees and citizens, the
flames would have cleaned up everything in that vicinity and entailed another $100,000 loss on the Reading Company. The only hose
connection they had was attached to a fire plug that was located on the Schuylkill Haven water mains, the force in this main not being
sufficient to lift the water five feet in the air. One of the ludicrous events of the fire was the efforts to extinguish the flames on an
electric light pole, which necessitated a fireman climbing the pole to the top because there was no force of water. By all means, there
should have been plenty of pumping capacity with an elevated storage tank, which in this instance, would have saved the Reading
Company many thousands of dollars. Proper fire fighting apparatus and an elevated tank or two of water would have stopped last
night's fire in its infancy, but for the sake of two or three thousand dollars worth of preventive measures, the Reading Company now
loses fully one hundred thousand dollars besides experiencing months of annoyance and such other loss to the company and
citizens until a new car shop plant is put in operation.

Hundreds of homes in the town were threatened by the large number of sparks that were carried by the high winds. Some of the
blazing embers, nearly a foot in length, were carried for a distance of a mile or more. Some landed by the barn of the almshouse and
others on the roofs of homes closer by. All night long the owners of homes were on the roofs of houses with buckets of water and
babcock extinguishers. The rains of yesterday morning had dampened the roofs and this fact alone prevented a great loss in the
town.

Considerable time was lost by the firemen, due to the fact that the suction hose brought along by them, fifteen feet, was not long
enough to reach from the top of the bank to the water's edge. It was then found necessary to run the cars containing the steamers up
near the trolley station at Connor and there unload them. Planks were then laid and in this manner the steamers were run within
several feet of the water. By doing this the two steamers were enabled to work, where otherwise it would have been necessary to
join the two sections of suction hose and allow only the one engine to do the pumping.

The reflection of the flames were seen in saint Clair and many inquiries were made regarding the fire. So plainly could it be seen from
Centre Street, that many were under the impression that the fire was at Hillside and when the American chemical dashed down Centre
Street, hundreds followed for several squares. All the cigar stores and moving picture shows were emptied in quick order.

As usual the water pressure in the town was low. All the firemen could get from the plugs situated in close proximity to the shops was
a stream not more than ten feet in length and only an inch or two in diameter. It was necessary in the fore part of
the evening for the firemen to lay on their backs and hold the hose in order to get anywhere near the fire. Others constructed sheet
iron barriers in front of them and thus prevented the smoke and heat from entering their eyes.

The house used for the manufacturing of air and the boiler house were both destroyed together with the machinery. This will
constitute the most serious loss to the company. Inside the boiler house were all the engines used in the manufacturing of the air,
which was not only pumped to all sections of the shops but also to the shops located on the other side of Mine Hill
Crossing where all the cars are tested before being sent out on the road.

When word was sent to Pottsville that the fire was of such large proportion, twelve members of the State Police were sent to
the scene to render any assistance asked of them. Their services were not needed as the large crowd was an orderly one and
did not interfere with the work of the firemen.

After pumping streams of water on the fire all night and until a late hour this morning, the officials of the Reading Company
thought that the fire was about extinguished and ordered the Pottsville steamers to return home. The trucks were then loaded and
arrived safe in Pottsville shortly after three o'clock this morning. They were taken to their respective houses and
cleaned.

By the hardest kind of work, the office of Superintendent Runkle and all the records were saved from destruction, although a number
of the latter were water soaked. These records and the time made by the men have been kept at Schuylkill Haven for the past twenty
years and their loss would have meant much to the company.

After midnight an order was sent to Pottsville for hot coffee and sandwiches for the firemen. They were gotten together and taken to
the Reading passenger station, where an engine and a passenger car were waiting to take the same to Schuylkill Haven. This move
on the part of the company was appreciated by the men as the night was a hard one and some of the men had left Pottsville without
their suppers. Others of the men had worked all day and went to Schuylkill Haven and worked all night without a moment's rest.

Early this morning the water supply was shut off from the town and consequently from the shops. At ten o'clock the fire broke out
anew where the storage house was located and it was necessary to telephone to the water company to again turn on the water. Later
in the afternoon the situation was reported well in hand and no further difficulty expected. The officials of the company are still on
the scene and will remain until all traces of the fire are extinguished.

The burning of the Reading car shops at Schuylkill Haven brings up to mind the history of that location and a few little references
here will, no doubt, prove interesting reading to the old citizens, and as well, educational to the young people. Previous to 1870 the
whole section east of the Reading's main line tracks, at the junction of the Mine Hill Division, was occupied by the Schuylkill
Navigation Company, with immense wharves from which the coal was unloaded from the cars into canal boats and thence shipped
down the Schuylkill Canal to the seaboard. This was the only means of shipping the coal out of the anthracite region previous to the
building of the Reading Railroad. There were branch railroads such as Mine Hill, the Girard Plane and the Mount Carbon Company's in
existence but the Reading main line had not been built. In the old days, the coal from the Shamokin section was shipped by way of the
Gordon planes and Cressona to the coal wharves at Schuylkill Haven. This was also done with the coal from the west end. The coal
from Mahanoy Valley was lifted over the Mahanoy Plane and brought down the mountain to Port Carbon and Palo Alto and shipped by
canal boats there. Coal from the immediate vicinity of Pottsville, such as the York Farm and the western boundary of Pottsville, was
taken down Market Street to coal landings located where the Pennsylvania freight station now stands at Norwegian and Railroad
Streets. This was also the case with the coal from Jalappa and Mount Laffee. What is now the Reading freight yard was the site once
of a branch of the Schuylkill Navigation Company's canal and where the Reading Company's passenger station is now located was the
old Gough Hotel, a great headquarters of the boating people. In the latter part of the 1850s, the Reading Company opened its line to
Mount Carbon where there were also extensive canal boat landings and afterwards the Reading line was opened to Pottsville, with
the passenger station at what is now the freight station.
In 1870 the Reading Company, after years of endeavor, secured control of the Schuylkill Navigation Company and the process of
dismantling the various canal shipping points, which had been going on for some years, was then pushed with vigor and in 1875, the
last one to be in operation, at Schuylkill Haven, was abandoned. Since then coal has been shipped by canal boat only from Port
Clinton.
Sometime after 1875, the Reading Company out up a little car repair plant on the old canal landing site east of the MIne Hill Junction at
Schuylkill Haven and this plant has been gradually increased until it has become one of great importance to the Reading system,
employing hundreds of hands and doing a great volume of work. While the Reading Company has smaller car repair shops at
Cressona, Palo Alto, Saint Clair, Tamaqua, Shamokin, etc., yet these are used for immediate light repair to avoid the necessity of
unloading cars and to do repair work that is discovered after the cars have been loaded or in transit. The work at the Schuylkill
Haven plant, however, has been of a general all around nature and the plant has been a wonderfully busy point. About fifteen years
ago the Reading Company decided to greatly enlarge the Schuylkill Haven plant and since then big improvements have been
constantly underway and about ten years ago in addition to the general run of repair buildings, an immense new car building plant
was erected; some of this new portion of the plant was saved from last night's conflagration, which, fortunately was confined to the
smaller outbuildings and the main carpenter shop, the blacksmith shop and the warehouse as above described. With this nucleus
left, the Reading Company can go ahead and do much of their wood repair work but for the iron work, new buildings must be erected
and of course a new supply of material of all kinds secured.

Starts in Blacksmith Shop

Aid Asked From Pottsville

Officials On the Scene

Thousands View the Fire

Erected Fifteen Years Ago

Why The Shops Will Be Rebuilt

No Preparation For Fire

Hundreds of Homes Threatened

Firemen Short of Suction Hose

Flames Seen in Saint Clair

Water Pressure Low

Air House and Boiler Shop Gone

State Police on Scene

Steamers Return Home

Office and Records Safe

Coffee and Sandwiches Served

Fire Breaks Out Anew

HISTORY OF REPAIR SHOPS
Formerly Site of Great Canal Activity - An Important Plant

Pottsville Republican of December 1, 1910

REBUILD CAR SHOPS AT ONCE; TO BE BIGGER AND MODERN

Orders were received at Schuylkill Haven last evening to start work immediately and clean up the debris of the fire of Tuesday
evening. The order also stated, that as soon as the ground is cleared, a force of carpenters and masons will be sent to Schuylkill
Haven from all points along the Reading system and will assist the carpenters at Schuylkill Haven in the erection of new shops. While
no definite plans have as yet been formulated, it is the opinion of some of the officials of the shops that the new ones will be modern
in every particular and a great credit to the town. They will cover more ground and consequently give employment to more men.
During the time that the new shops are being erected, not one of the employees will be required to lose a day. All men who are not
employed in repairing cars on the landing and at the general yard will be put to work in clearing up the old lumber and iron work that
remains from the fire. This is certainly welcome news for our neighboring borough and assures the town of still greater prosperity.

Pottsville Republican of January 14, 1903

SMOTHERED TO DEATH - Edward Merkel Buried Alive Under Many Tons of Coal

Edward Merkel, son of Henry G. Merkel of Cressona, and employed at the P. & R. coal chutes at that place, on Wednesday fell into the
buckwheat coal pocket while the pocket was being filled and was buried beneath the coal and smothered to death. This weather the
coal packs tightly and freezes and when drawn off at the wicket, the frozen coal forms an arch in the pocket and then refuses to run.
It is believed Merkel met with his fatal mishap while trying to loosen the coal.
He was seen alive at one o'clock. Being missed half an hour later, search was instituted resulting in the finding of his dead body in
the coal pocket, the contents of which had to be drawn off to secure the remains. Dr. G. O. O. Santee was called and made every
effort to resuscitate him. Deputy Coroner Gray empannelled the following jury which returned a verdict in accordance with the facts,
no blame being attached to anyone: Wallace Bartlett, Joseph Hornberger, Clayton Wagner, George Reiger, William T. Gilbert and
Charles Eiler. The unfortunate man was about thirty years of age and is survived by his widow and a little child.

Here is another view of the
storage yards.
COMPLIMENTS OF BRAD KNAPP

These two photos are taken atop
the Lehigh Valley trestle in 1953
before it was dismantled. At left,
the view is westward toward
Cressona and below the view is
eastward toward Schuylkill Haven.
COMPLIMENTS OF LEWIS HOY

The Call of February 28, 1930

LANDINGVILLE MAN FOUND DEAD AT WORK

Mahlon Schaeffer of Landingville, was found lifeless on top of a coal car at the storage yards, near Landingville, Saturday morning
about three o'clock. He had been at work with other men at the yards and had been assigned to a particular task. When he did not
return within a short time, search was made for him and it was feared he had fallen underneath cars, therefore, the search for some
time was confined to the ground. Later his body was discovered on top of a coal car. Efforts at resuscitation failed. Deputy Coroner
R. W. Lenker of Schuylkill Haven pronounced death had been due to heart attack. The deceased was thirty eight years of age. He was
born in Landingville and resided there all his life. He was a member of the Faith Reformed Church.
Besides the widow, who was Miss Amy Eiler of Schuylkill Haven, one son survives. These brothers and sisters also survive:
Theodore and Samuel Schaeffer of Schuylkill Haven; Mrs. Michael Gaffney of Landingville; Mrs. George Moyer of Port Carbon and
Mrs. Rose Rudloff of Orwigsburg. The funeral which took place Tuesday afternoon was largely attended.

The Call of May 4, 1934

FELL FIFTY FEET TO HIS DEATH

Harvey Barger, aged fifty five years, a carpenter at the P. & R. C. & I. storage yards near Landingville, was instantly killed on Saturday
afternoon at 1:45 o'clock when he slipped and fell down an elevator shaft, a distance of fifty feet. His skull and right leg were badly
fractured and he also sustained minor injuries. Deceased also operated a fruit stand and filling station on a farm which he owned just
beyond Long Run Hotel on the Schuylkill Haven-Pine Grove Pike. To survive, he leaves his wife and a daughter, Miss Ora at home.
His funeral took place from his late home on Wednesday morning, with services at the house at ten o'clock by the Reverend C. A.
Steigerwalt. Interment was in Saint John's Reformed Cemetery in Friedensburg.

The Call of May 25, 1934

JURY SAYS DEATH MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED

At the inquest held in the town hall on Friday evening last, conducted by Deputy Coroner Dr. R. W. Lenker, into the death of Harvey
Barger, who was killed at the P. & R. C. & I. storage yard on April 28th, negligence of insufficient safety for the employee was brought
out. The principal witnesses at the inquest were: John Devan, Edward Kupko, and Landis Shuey of Schuylkill Haven. Devan and
Kupko were working with Barger on the "plane" in the breaker repairing and renewing planking on which the chutes rested. Barger
was working several feet below them using a bar to guide a large chute which was being raised, so as to permit the replacing of the
worn out planking. Just before the unfortunate man fell, according to statements of these two workmen, a chute which was being
raised jammed on the planking, Barger called to the men to stop raising it. Shortly thereafter, they noticed that Barger had
disappeared and upon making an investigation, found his body at the foot of the elevator shaft about fifty five feet below. These men
stated that because of the position in which they were working, they did not have a clear view of the victim, who was working several
feet below. They did not see him fall or hear him give any outcry either before or after falling.
Landis Shuey was working in the breaker house several tracks away from the point where Mr. Barger landed in the fall through the
elevator shaft. He stated he picked up the man who seemed to be breathing at the time, but expired almost immediately. The next
and last witness called was Roy F. Trout of Schuylkill Haven, Superintendent of the storage yards. He testified he was not in the
building at the time of the accident. He told of the general construction work that was taking place at the time of the accident. He
also stated that planks had been laid over the elevator shaft openings about fifteen feet below the point where the three men were
working. He also stated there were two planks over the forty inch wide opening, through which the body of Mr. Barger passed on its
way to the bottom of the shaft. He stated safety rules are enforced and inspection of safety devices are made at frequent intervals.
The jury was composed of: Howard M. Deibert, Paul S. Christman, Edward L. Burkert, Howard M. Betz, E. Bright Pflueger and Clarence
W. Schaeffer, brought in the following verdict: - "That Harvey Barger came to his death as the result of a fall from the plane on which
he was working in the breaker in the storage yard. We feel that the death might have been prevented if the shaft through which the
man fell had been protected by an additional plank."

Click on the link below to view a nice
collection of local pictures of the
Lehigh Valley Railroad.

http://www.wix.com/onetechy/lvrr

The Call of March 29, 1935

MOTORIST AND FREIGHT TRAIN IN COLLISION HERE

Monday noon, the noon day freight on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, collided with an automobile driven by Mrs. Nat Tuckerman of
Pottsville, at a point where the railroad crosses the Orwigsburg-Schuylkill Haven Pike, near the County Almshouse. The automobile
was somewhat damaged. Mrs. Tuckerman, who was the only occupant of the car, escaped with slight body bruises but suffered
somewhat from shock. The automobile was being driven north or in the direction of Pottsville. The accident occurred about 12:15
o'clock. The engine and three cars and cabin was crossing over on the spur track from the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks to the
Lehigh Valley Railroad track. It is believed that the motorist did not notice the approach of the train or hear the whistle. She had
crossed over the tracks in front of the engine and when over the tracks, swerved the car over to the left with the result that the left
front wheel of the automobile struck the left front end of the engine. There is but one train each week day that crosses over this
connecting track and that is at noon, when this combination passenger and freight train operating from Lizard Creek Junction to
Pottsville, crosses from the Lehigh Valley tracks and backs into the freight station along the Pennsylvania tracks, where the freight is
loaded or unloaded. The train is usually, and for the past several years, pulled by gas-electric engine. However, on Monday, by
reason of the gas-electric train being shopped for repairs, one of the big and powerful steam engines of the Lehigh Company was
being used.

The Call of May 17, 1935

MET DEATH IN FALL FROM BRIDGE

Augustus Doerflinger of Schuylkill Haven met death in a horrible manner on Sunday afternoon about two o'clock, when he either fell
or plunged from the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge near Connor's Crossing. He struck his head against the post of the guard rail along
the old highway at this point. He suffered a compound fracture of the skull and death was instantaneous.
The news of the accident quickly spread about Schuylkill Haven and in a few minutes time, there had gathered a large crowd of
persons. Police Chief Deibert was summoned and he in turn called Coroner Prescott. Attendants at the Schuylkill Motors Company
car lot nearby witnessed the tragedy, having noticed the man walking along the bridge. They reported that suddenly they noticed he
stopped near the edge and it appeared he lost his balance. He regained it only to lose it again and the men were horrified to see the
body plunging toward the earth. The bridge is at least 125 feet high at the point where the accident occurred. The deceased was
thirty two years of age. He had been a resident of Schuylkill Haven for some time. He had been employed at the Berkshire Knitting
Mills in Reading, before moving to Schuylkill Haven. He had been a patient at the Berks County Hospital and later at the Schuylkill
County Hospital, where treatment was given for the effects of a sunstroke he sustained several years ago. While living in Schuylkill
Haven, he had on a number of occasions caused much worry and concern on the part of his family. To survive, he leaves his widow,
Mary Haessler of Pottsville; two sons, Billy and Junior aged ten and eight, respectively. His mother and a sister, Miss Christine, all of
Schuylkill Haven survive.

The Call of January 10, 1936

KILLED IN JUMP FROM HIGH BRIDGE

Ira Batdorf, a well known man of Schuylkill Haven, ended his life Saturday morning about ten o'clock by leaping from the Lehigh Valley
Railroad bridge, a short distance outside the borough limits. Death is believed to have been instantaneous from internal
hemorrhages. The right arm and right leg were broken and on the forehead was a deep cut or bruise. Batdorf, for the past four years
had not been in the best of health, although about town daily. Friends had noticed him walking toward the railroad but thought
nothing serious of the matter. Four motorists passing near the bridge at the time were witnesses to the tragedy, namely: Henry
Hummel and John Thompson, both of Schuylkill Haven, who noticed Batdorf standing on the edge of the long span as if preparing to
make a leap from it. Miss Celia Gillespie of Mahanoy City and Miss Helen Kissinger of Pine Grove saw the body hurtling through the
air. The man dropped on the concrete highway which is crossed by the railway
bridge. Dr. R. W. Lenker, Deputy Coroner, was summoned and he released the body to undertaker D. M. Bittle. Mr. Batdorf
was born and reared in Schuylkill Haven. He had been regularly employed at the car shops up until four or five years ago, at which
time he suffered a severe attack of illness. He had never quite fully recovered his health and frequently seemed to be sullen and
depressed. The deceased was forty five years of age and is survived by his wife and one daughter, Dora of Detroit. Also his father,
Isaac Batdorf of Reading; two brothers Merritt and Robert, both of Schuylkill Haven and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Reese of Schuylkill
Haven and Mrs. Charles Kleiberstein of Tremont. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from the D. M. Bittle funeral home.
Reverend E. S. Noll had charge of the service with interment in Cressona.

The Call of July 26, 1946

NINE YEAR OLD BOY KILLED BY LEHIGH VALLEY TRAIN

Charles Harold Krammes, nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Krammes of 119 Haven Street, was killed this morning at 10:40
o'clock at the Garfield Avenue arch by a northbound Lehigh Valley train. He was hit and thrown ten feet into the bushes. He suffered
a fractured skull and a broken left leg. he and two other children were playing there and only two of the children were able to get
across the tracks. The crew was composed of Claude D. Moyer, conductor, William D. Kemmerer, engineer, Clifford J. E. Grotz,
fireman, all of Lehighton, Fred A. Maingold of Lehighton and Charles Miller of Lebanon, trainmen. Dr. T. C. Rutter, Deputy Coroner,
released the body to the Geschwindt funeral home. Charles Reinhart investigated the accident.
The boy was born in Schuylkill Haven on August 18, 1936. His mother was the former Helen Riegel, a former Orwigsburg resident.
Besides his parents he is survived by a twelve year old brother Calvin Thomas, Jr., his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur D.
Krammes and his maternal grandfather, Thomas Riegel of Schuylkill Haven. He attended Saint John's Evangelical and Reformed
Sunday School in Schuylkill Haven. His funeral will be held Monday afternoon from his late residence and burial will be made in
Schuylkill Memorial Park.

The Pottsville Republican of June 9, 1952

SAVED FROM EIGHTY FOOT TRESTLE, WISHES HE WERE DEAD

A Schuylkill County Home inmate who gave thousands of people a thrill Saturday afternoon when he hung head down from the eight
foot Lehigh Valley Railroad trestle at Connor's Crossing, was recovering from his experience in the Pottsville Hospital today. George
Morrison, 55, was left with his right leg temporarily paralyzed, hospital officials say, but otherwise is in good condition. Morrison lost
his footing as he walked along the trestle near its eastern end. A strong wind was blowing and it apparently blew his falling body
against the steel framework. His right ankle caught after he had dropped about fifteen feet below the roadbed and there he hung,
swinging like a pendulum forty feet above the Pennsy Railroad tracks, which along with Highway 122 pass under the trestle.
Guy Hoy, attendant at the Earl Stoyer used car lot first saw the body hanging, but paid little attention to it for a time thinking it was a
dummy that had been rigged up by Schuylkill Haven boys. "They are always playing there and doing tricks," Hoy said. He watched for
a while and then walked toward the spot and took a closer look. He saw it was a man and telephoned Schuylkill Haven state police
and the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven. This was about two o'clock or about twenty minutes after Hoy first noticed the
body. Four members of the hose company, Robert and Kimber Fenstermacher, Art Sterner and William Nevils put up ladders and
quickly climbed to the trapped man. When they reached him he was unconscious and appeared to be dead. A rope was tied about his
waist and within five minutes he was lowered to the roadbed. He showed first signs of life as he was being lowered.
Morrison was placed aboard the Schuylkill Haven community ambulance driven by Charles Lechner and taken to Pottsville Hospital
where he revived quickly. Three members of the state police force who responded to the call had extreme difficulty keeping traffic
moving as thousands watched the rescue. William Powell, steward at the County Home, said Morrison had been an inmate there since
1930. He is a former resident of Pottsville. When questioned by a reporter at the hospital today and asked if he was scared, Morrison
said, "I wish I were dead. It would be better." He could not say what he was doing on the trestle or how the mishap happened.

The Call of May 16, 1930

MAY ABANDON TROLLEY LINE TO ORWIGSBURG

Within a very short time, operation of trolley cars to Orwigsburg from Schuylkill haven will be a thing of the past. They are to be
supplanted by the operation of buses, which will follow a route from Saint John Street, to Liberty Street, to Adamsdale, and then to
Orwigsburg via the state route. Application is to be made to the boroughs of Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg by the East Penn
Company to grant permission for the procedure. Of course, the Public Service Commission in Harrisburg will have the final decision
in the matter but unless serious objection is raised by either borough, the Commission will, no doubt, grant the request. The date for
the hearing before the Commission has been fixed for Wednesday the 28th. The company pleads that the passenger traffic has
declined on this branch of its system to such an extent that it is not possible to obtain sufficient revenue to meet the ordinary
operating expenses. The company also claims that if the service to Orwigsburg from Schuylkill Haven is to be continued, heavy
expenditures will be necessary for repairs. Not only does the company plan to discontinue the service, but to remove its tracks and
sills. In this connection, it is a question of whether the borough of Schuylkill Haven will insist on the removal of the car tracks from
Saint John Street and Liberty Street or whether it will permit the same to remain as has been done in other towns where car lines
have been abandoned and as a result the presence of the unused car tracks are always a serious danger to traffic. As there will be no
regular meeting of the town council before the particular date fixed for a hearing, there may possibly be a special meeting called to
determine this fact.

The Call of August 14, 1932

TROLLEY COMPANY ASKS PERMISSION TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE

Trolley service from Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville may be discontinued in the very near future. The matter is dependent entirely upon
the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth, before whom a petition was presented this week by the East Penn Company
asking permission to discontinue the trolley transportation service. Town Council of Schuylkill Haven, at a special meeting Tuesday
evening, approved the petition to discontinue the service. At the same time, council approved a petition of the East Penn Company,
which is also to be filed with the Public Service Commission, to obtain temporary permission to operate a bus service between
Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville, also Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg and Cressona.
Both petitions are the outgrowth of efforts of the borough and state highway departments to obtain definite action in order that the
improvements or resurfacing of the bricked streets can be started before the cold weather sets in. The petition to discontinue the
trolley service sets forth facts regarding the decline of patronage and the inability to continue to operate without increasing monthly
deficits. It is also stated that no prospects are in sight for an increase in patronage sufficient to make operation of the trolley system
a paying proposition.
The petition asking for permission to operate a bus service is merely a request for temporary permission to do so until the Public
Service Commission arrives at a decision regarding the petition presented by the East Penn Company for this same purpose. At this
time there was also presented a petition from the Schuster Taxi Company to also operate a bus system. In the petition for bus service
upon a temporary basis, no mention is made of the rate to be charged but it is assumed the rate will be the same as is proposed in the
original petition asking for a permanent certificate to operate, namely fifteen cents.
The route would enter Schuylkill Haven on Center Avenue, down Dock Street, Main Street, saint John to Liberty Street and through
the borough limits to Adamsdale and return via the same route. An alternate route will be from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, via Saint
John Street to Parkway, Columbia Street, Berne Street and Schuylkill Street to Cressona and return via the same route. If a petition to
discontinue the trolley service is discontinued, the company will immediately remove all lines. Also all poles with the electric light
department of the borough does not wish to retain to carry the borough lines. It was reported at the council meeting that the material
for the resurfacing of the paved streets has been ordered and as soon as the trolley service is discontinued the state will be ready to
start the work within three days. Property owners along Main and Dock Streets are urged to immediately look into the matter of
having water and gas lines renewed before the state begins work.

The Call of August 26, 1932

TROLLEY SERVICE DISCONTINUED

Tuesday evening, trolley service between Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven was discontinued, no doubt for all time, and now we have
motor bus service between Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville. The last car for passenger service left Schuylkill Haven on Tuesday
evening or rather Wednesday morning at 12:02 a. m. and with whistle tied down, the abandonment of the line was heralded to a
community, for most part, sound in slumber. Only a few persons watched its progress along the line. Several local folks were
included in the last passengers who made the trip to Pottsville, returning by auto. They were Herbert Sausser, Claude Sausser, and F.
H. Minnig. Others on the last car were Lester Shelley, Miss Jennie Zimmerman and Miss Rebecca Frick, all of Pottsville. Mr. Carl
Wilson rode as far as Willow and Dock Streets. Passengers on the last car from Pottsville to Schuylkill Haven included Messrs. H. C.
Wilson, Herbert Sausser, Jake Shadel and Mr. Knarr.
The bulletin posted at The Call office on Tuesday morning, announcing the discontinuing of the service, was a surprise to the general
public and to even the operators of the trolleys. Permission was granted by the Public Service Commission on Tuesday, not only to
discontinue the trolley service, but also granted permission to the East Penn Company to operate upon a temporary permit, motor
buses. The hearing, set for a later date, upon several applications for certificates to operate motor buses will, no doubt, consume
considerable time and the outcome will be awaited with interest. In the meantime, bus service by the East Penn Company, to
Pottsville, is provided on a half hour basis on brand new buses of a seating capacity of twenty nine passengers.
The discontinuance of the trolley service was hastened considerably by the State Highway Department by reason of the desire to
proceed with the resurfacing of the state route, covering portions of Main and Dock Streets and along which the trolleys were
operated. The work will be started at once. During the week, the borough electric light department men were busy changing over
wires and street lights from poles of the East Penn Company to poles of the borough. This will permit the removal of a considerable
number of poles on Dock, Main and saint John Streets, and also the removal of a network of overhead wires. The discontinuance of
the trolley line to Schuylkill Haven is the third line abandoned by the company since midnight, June 30th. The two other divisions
were Yorkville and Minersville. From a total of fifty miles of trackage, extending from Mauch Chunk on the north to Orwigsburg on
the south, there is left but nine miles of trolley road in the county, namely between Pottsville, saint Clair, Port Carbon, Palo Alto and
New Philadelphia.
Trolley service to Schuylkill haven began on October 10th, 1897, through permission granted the Pottsville and Reading Railway
Company by the borough of Schuylkill Haven, by its adopting an ordinance, dated January 13th, 1897. This ordinance, among other
things, granted the company the right to construct an electric railway from Coal Street to Dock Street, to Main street, to Saint John
Street, to William Street, to saint Peter Street, to Liberty Street, to Canal Street, to Columbia Street, to Berne Street to the borough
line. Also from Coal Street to Centre Avenue and on a street west to Dock Street, between Coal Street and Centre Avenue, also an
alley between Union Street and Market Street from Saint John to Canal Street. One of the stipulations in the franchise was that the
said railway Company should never charge more than a single fare of five cents between any two points on its line in the borough.
Another stipulation was that cars should not be operated at more than eight miles an hour through the borough. This ordinance was
signed by Daniel Sharadin, as president of the town council and by C. A. Moyer, borough secretary. It was approved by Willis Bryant,
chief burgess. Another ordinance adopted by the borough council on June 7th, 1898, granted permission to the Schuylkill Haven and
Orwigsburg Street Railway Company to operate from Schuylkill Haven to Orwigsburg from Saint John Street. It was signed by Joseph
N. Meyers, president of council and C. A. Moyer, the borough secretary. It was approved by George E. Bast, chief burgess.
As the last car for Schuylkill Haven left Pottsville, Tuesday evening, one of the first passengers, when a school boy, and who later for
a number of years, was motorman on the Schuylkill Haven line, was among those who watched it go down Center Street. The person
was none other than Roy Palsgrove. Fares on the Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville line were first a nickel than later were raised to six
cents, then to ten cents, twelve cents and at last to fifteen cents. School children were given free rides upon the opening of the line
on October 4th and 5th. First paid passengers were carried on October 11th. On Sunday, October 17th, 1897, four thousand
passengers traveled on the trolley line between Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville. Passenger service had been started the previous
Monday, October 11th. The end of the line was at the siding on Saint John Street until the Orwigsburg line was put into service which
was on July 28th, 1898. Tom Archer was one of the first motormen and John Tindle one of the first conductors operating on this line.
They were on duty for the transportation of the school children. During the opening week of the trolley service, Schuylkill Haven lost
one of its then prominent and one of its best known merchants, William Rudy, the shoe dealer of Main Street.

The Call of August 26, 1932

TROLLEY TRACKS ARE UNDER COVER

Trolley tracks in Schuylkill Haven, used as late as Tuesday midnight, were under cover of road building material by Thursday morning,
at least for some distance on Main Street. Within a week to ten days they will be buried beneath two to three inches of Amesite road
building material for the full length of Dock Street and on Main Street. This, by reason of the street resurfacing work that was begun
on Thursday morning and was the principal reason for speeding the abandonment of trolley service to Schuylkill Haven. The prompt
start of the resurfacing work by the State Highway Department resulted in quite a bit of scurrying on the part of individual property
owners for permits to open the streets and have water and gas services renewed. Thirty four permits were issued by the Burgess for
this work on Main and Dock Streets. The borough's air compressor was used until midnight on Thursday for cutting through the brick
and concrete subfoundation to accommodate latecomers for permits. Men worked late in the night digging ditches. Main and Dock
Streets were aglow with extra lights and red lanterns where men were busy digging the ditches and where red lights guarded half
started or half completed work. The last permit was issued on Thursday afternoon, the State department refusing to grant any
additional time because the work, having been started, it is the intention to rush it through.
Thursday morning men were put to work placing the Amesite filling in a number of holes. The entire stretch of street to be resurfaced
will first be treated in this manner, all the depressions being first filled up. The borough road roller with the borough's operator, has
been engaged by the State for the purpose of rolling out the material. It is placed on the street in cold form and resembles a thick
mixture of small sized trap rock and tar. It hardens within several hours time and is expected to last for years. Schuylkill Haven men
are being given employment on the operation and in order that a good portion of the unemployment may have work, six men will be
hired for three day periods. A large number may be taken on later. The first day about ten were put to work. Men who have
registered with the local relief committee, Charles Graeff, chairman, are being given first consideration. About one hundred and fifty
men have registered for this work.

The Call of July 25, 1930

MINE HILL CROSSING OFFICE IS CLOSED BY THE COMPANY

In line with its policy of retrenchment at this time, the Reading Company has closed the office at Mine Hill Crossing, thus dispensing
with the services of three yardmasters at that point: Harry Stauffer, the first trick yardmaster at that point, has been appointed third
trick yardmaster at Cressona. The yardmasters at Cressona under the new arrangement will have to direct the traffic at Mine Hill
Crossing. The three operators at that point have been assigned to other duties some time ago. Thomas Boussum, third trick
yardmaster at Mine Hill Crossing has been appointed an extra yardmaster at Cressona.

The Call of August 29, 1930

SIXTY READING COMPANY MEN LAID OFF

The latter part of last week between fifty and sixty employees of the Reading Company were given notices that their services were no
longer required. Twenty men at the Schuylkill Haven shops were laid off, while Saint Clair shops lost thirty one men, the Cressona
force was reduced by five and the force at the Schuylkill Haven freight house was reduced by one. Curtailment of expenses was
assigned as the reason for the sudden out in the working force and was a big surprise, not only to the workmen but to the general
public. This because it was understood that with the expected resumption of heavy shipments of coal from the mines, all efforts
would be made to put the rolling stock into first class condition.
Employees who had as high as forty three years of service with the company were summarily dismissed without any comeback. Men
who were up in years and would, in a short time, have been placed on the retiree rolls, were also included in the recent reduction of
the company and this has gone toward shattering some of the high hope maintained for a revival of more prosperous conditions in
this locality. The men laid off are finding it difficult to procure employment elsewhere. A number of men have been able to get back
to their positions by claiming others off, basing claim on priority or greater length of service. The cut in number of employees as
affecting this locality is similar to that now being experienced by many other communities, where the company has carried out its
drastic course of reducing working forces on the entire system in all branches of the service.
In addition to a company layoff of the men, most of whom, at the shops, were classed as laborers, the system of demoting is also being
carried into effect with its accompanying reduction of wages or rates per hour for those affected by the demoting policy. There is
some hope that quite a number of the men who have received notices that their services are no longer required will be put back to
work soon again and they have been given to understand, in some instances, that their suspension is only temporary and more in the
nature of a "furlough". There have been so frequently rumors concerning the abandonment of the car shops at Schuylkill Haven by
the company. They have in many cases proven unfounded. The latest rumor now going the rounds is that the original intention if the
officials recently had been to abandon the local car shops entirely, but that they were persuaded to cut the force instead of closing
the shops.

The Call of September 19, 1930

DERAILED CAR TEARS UP YARD TRACK

A derailed car, Monday evening, about eight o'clock, badly tore up the extra track on the heavy side of the yards of the Reading at this
place. Several poles of the electric light lines were also torn down and the wires torn and twisted, putting the entire light service of
the yard for the night out of commission. It was the last car on a string that was being pulled from the yard by the night freight. The
car, being derailed, bumped along the rails for quite a distance until a point near the railroad bridge. Here the trucks on the car broke
away from it, the air line was severed and the train came to a stop. Trainmen were greatly surprised to find the amount of damage that
had been caused. The car not only ripped the sills on the heavy track but the foot path along the track was also ripped up. Some idea
of the distance the car was off the track may be gained when it is learned that the poles knocked down were on the far side of the
foot path is two to three feet in width. The northbound track near the railroad bridge was blocked and for the evening, northbound
traffic was routed through the yards over the southbound track.

The Call of December 5, 1930

CLUNG TO SIDE OF TRAIN TO AUBURN

Joe Fleming of Paxson Avenue had a number of his friends badly worried for several hours Wednesday evening because of his
actions. Just as the seven thirty eight pulled out of the station, Joe decided to go along. He leaped upon the steps of the rear coach.
His friends, however, noticed the car being a pullman, the doors had been closed tight. As the train gained momentum and went
down the tracks they noticed the figure clinging to the side of the car. Ticket agent Edward McCord was notified and he wired to the
first stop in Auburn. At Auburn, Fleming could not be found and it was naturally assumed that he had fallen from the train and perhaps
killed. A fatal accident was surely thought to have occurred as the passenger train passed a northbound coal train. This meant that
the space between the two trains was very small and with a man hanging on the outside of the doors, the space still less. It was felt
that surely he had been brushed off and killed. Friends set out from Schuylkill Haven to walk down the railroad but they could not find
him. A light engine was ordered sent down from Cressona and proceeding slowly, kept a sharp lookout for the body. About two miles
north of Auburn, they found him walking back uninjured and surprised that his actions had caused any uneasiness.

The Call of July 31, 1931

CAR SHOPS WILL BE CLOSED TODAY

One hundred seventy three men of Schuylkill Haven, Cressona, and vicinity will, commencing today, July 31st, be out of regular
employment with the Reading Company. This by reason of the closing down of the car shops at Schuylkill Haven and the
abandonment of the engine house and the coal weighing scale and equipment at Cressona. The monthly payroll saving for the
Reading Company will be between $16,000 and $17,000. Of more importance, however, will be the fact that this sum will be the wage
reduction for and the amount of money heretofore available to almost two hundred men. In many instances, the closing down of
these industries will mean the cutting off of the only source of revenue many families have had for many years. With the blowing of
the deep toned car shop whistle this afternoon, Friday, the Schuylkill Haven Car Shops, as a Schuylkill Haven industry and the
principal agency of manual labor for men for the past sixty or seventy years will it is believed, close forever. And the blowing of the
eleven o'clock whistle at the Cressona Engine House and weigh Scale, Friday evening, at the end of the shift, will mark the closing
down of the principal industry in the past sixty years for Cressona. All of the men will be given nine month furloughs. They must
return all company property such as tools and equipment. Their monthly passes must also be surrendered today.
From the Schuylkill Haven Car Shops, only two of the regular employees will be transferred, namely, Superintendent J. H. Yoder and
Chief Clerk Runkle. Both will be sent to Saint Clair. Three watchmen will be maintained at the shops. From the weigh scale and
engine house at Cressona, only a few men will be retained on the company's rolls by being given employment either at Reading or
Saint Clair. Whether or not additional employees will, at a later date, be given employment at Saint Clair, to which point all work
heretofore done at Schuylkill Haven and Cressona will be transferred, is not known. Both the local shops and Cressona engine
house and weigh scales will be closed indefinitely according to notices posted. Wednesday, officials of the company visited these
places and broke the news and ordered notices posted. Conferences have been held in reading and in Philadelphia for the past
several weeks at which time every phase of the matter, it is believed , was gone over carefully. The decision to close down the local
shops and the Cressona workings came only after a considerable amount of controversy as it is known that not all of the company
executives favored such course of action.
The closing down of the above plants is said to be in line with the company's policy to save money wherever possible. Recently, not
nearly as large an amount of coal as heretofore was handled over the Mine Hill road. This because most of the collieries in the west
end have been closed and others put on greatly curtailed production. Very little coal has been sent down the Mine Hill line for some
time and the number of employees at this plant had been cut and recut until only thirty were in service or part time service at the
weigh scales. At the Cressona engine house, fifty to sixty men were employed on three shifts. This entire force of men has been
furloughed and the work of repairing of engines or turning them will be done at Saint Clair or Reading. A peculiar thing in connection
with the company's so called policy of "saving money" is the fact that by reason of the equipment at Cressona an engine can be
turned there in nineteen hours, whereas at Saint Clair the time required is twenty six hours. Another surprising feature about the
abandonment of the workings at Cressona is the fact that only three years ago the company built, at a cost of between $400,000 and
$425,000, a new engine house and equipped it with the very latest and most complete machinery for handling engines, including a
one hundred foot electric turntable, an electric ash handling plant and a coal dock of two hundred ton capacity. The engine house is
of a size sufficient to handle six of the large type engines.
In addition to the engine house equipment the latest type of machinery to accurately and quickly weigh coal was placed at the scale
house and all buildings rebuilt. This work was started in the fall of 1926 and the men moved into the new workings in the fall of 1928.
And now it is all to be junked in order to experiment, it is believed, upon a theoretical idea of being enabled to handle all this class of
work at Saint Clair at a greater saving of money to the company. The subject of moving Cressona engine house and the Schuylkill
Haven Car Shop work to Saint Clair was figured out and tried in 1919 and 1924. When the company decided to erect an engine house
at Cressona at a cost of close to a half million dollars, the Cressona people felt assured that the company had decided to forego the
removing of the work to some other point. Under the new order just issued, not only the Cressona engine house will be closed but
the coal that will be brought from the mines in this territory will be taken to Saint Clair with Mallet engines and weighed and classified
at that point. Cressona engines will drop their trains at Cressona and take their engines to Saint Clair for inspection from which point
all runs will start hereafter. The train crews will report on and off at Mine Hill Crossing where the Cressona crew board will be kept.
The Schuylkill Haven Car Shops have for years been operated at considerably less than capacity. About ninety men have been
employed there lately. The working schedule has been repeatedly cut and the last cut placed the operation upon a two and three day
basis, with one half the men operating two days one week and three days the next week. Whether or not any of the men employed at
the Schuylkill Haven Car Shops will be given employment at Saint Clair is uncertain. It is believed that a certain number will be given
such employment. A certain period of time will be necessary for an adjustment to be made before additional men will be put into
service. And in taking on men at Saint Clair it is more than likely the company will pick out the younger employees. Cressona crews
employed at the weigh scale and in dropping of the cars will be transferred to Saint Clair, so that it is assumed thirty men at least of
the one hundred seventy three will be given employment. Mr. John Betz employed at the Cressona office, will be transferred to
Reading. A number of other of the clerks and officials will be transferred either to Reading or Saint Clair.

The Call of August 7, 1931

COMPANY SAYS SUSPENSION TEMPORARY

Monday morning at ten o'clock, Mr. V. B. Fisher, General Superintendent of the Reading and Mr. I. T. Tyson, Superintendent of the
Reading, met with a committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Schuylkill Haven and a committee from Cressona, in the private car of
the first named in the railroad yards at Schuylkill haven. The subject of discussion and the purpose of the conference was in relation
to the closing of the car shops at Schuylkill Haven and the engine house and weigh scales at Cressona. The General Superintendent
assured the committee that the closing down of these units was made necessary to curtail expenses and that he hoped the
suspension would be but temporary. Asked how long the suspension would be effective, the General Superintendent stated it was
difficult to answer that question. Mr. Fisher intimated that men heretofore employed at Cressona and Schuylkill Haven would, no
doubt, be required at Saint Clair, but gave no intimation of how many. Seniority rights, of course, would prevail, he stated.
The outcome of the conference produced nothing definite insofar as bringing about a resumption of the units here and at Cressona
which were closed down, nor was it expected that this could be accomplished. The conference lasted a half hour. Regret was, of
course, expressed that a temporary suspension order was made necessary on the part of the company. Appreciation of the
consideration in many ways that has been given the company by both communities was also commented upon by the officials.
Reference was made to the fact that Schuylkill Haven is no harder hit and perhaps not as hard hit as other communities where the
company has been required to curtail its operations. The suspension order was several times referred to as being a positive
necessity and being in line with the forced policy of the company brought about by numerous conditions. The officials expressed the
willingness to confer with representatives of the two towns at any time such conference was desired.
Tuesday evening, fifty or more businessmen of Schuylkill Haven and Cressona gathered in the Town Hall at Schuylkill Haven. The
report of the conference with the officials was made by President Felix of the Chamber of Commerce. John Gray, President of the
Merchant's Association, had charge of the meeting. The subject was discussed pro and con for quite some time and a committee
appointed to draft a resolution. This resolution was presented in the form of an urgent request that resumption at the Cressona
Engine House and Weigh Scales and Schuylkill Haven Car Shops, be made at the earliest possible date. It was adopted and a copy
ordered addressed to the company. While all sorts of rumors have been afloat during the week as to procedure by the company,
there has been little of a definite nature developing other than that the coal is being taken to saint Clair where it is weighed,
classified and shipped through Schuylkill Haven. Increased number of hours, it is thought, have been worked by the engine house
and weigh scale at Saint Clair but as yet there has been no general call for employees now entirely out of work.
As yet there has been no indication of removal of equipment from any of the Cressona units or the local car shops. The workings are
merely down with no one at work other than several clerks. Call boys taken off the fore part of the week were again put into service
after a very short period without their services. Railroad men and former employees declare the company cannot save any great
amount of money by the present arrangement of taking coal that must be brought down the Mine Hill system, up to Saint Clair for
weighing and classifying and again bringing it down in order to ship it to market. Greater hope seems to be held out for a resumption
of the works at Cressona in the near future than for the Schuylkill Haven Car Shops. For it is felt that with a resumption early in fall of
the collieries on the Mine Hill system, there will result such a complete tie up and mix up that the weigh scale and engine house at
Cressona will stand a very good chance of again being operated. Needless to say, the principal topic for discussion in both towns
during the week has been the suspension order. The men without employment are stunned and find it impossible to procure
employment elsewhere, just at the immediate present. A fact is also beginning to be realized and that is that little can be done to
force the issue or compel the company to rescind its orders. Hope alone can be entertained for a resumption and during the week
this hope has had little effect in relieving the depressing spirit that is manifest on all sides.
Thus far only a very small number of transfers are reported. However, it is confidentially believed that another week will see
additional transfers made from the men now out of employment and perhaps an additional number of men put to work at Saint Clair.
Altogether contrary to the statement made and the expectation created for Schuylkill Haven shop men to be given employment at
Saint Clair, comes the action of the company during the week of demoting six men employed at Saint Clair car shops and the laying off
indefinitely of fifteen car repairers and laborers. Of the men demoted, two were from Schuylkill Haven, one from Cressona, two from
Port Carbon and one from Pottsville. Of the men laid off, several were from schuylkill haven and several from Cressona.

This image shows the
interior of the Reading
passenger station in 1914.

The Call of March 14, 1930

13,000 TONS OF COAL STORED IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Just at this time and for the past five weeks, there has been stored in Schuylkill Haven coal sufficient to supply every home, counting
eighteen hundred homes, in Schuylkill haven with at least 722 tons. On the five reserve tracks of the Reading Company, in the yards
at this place, there have been stored on each track for weeks, from thirty five to forty cars of the large sizes of coal, namely, chestnut
and egg. As many of the cars are of sixty to seventy tons capacity, and taking an average of sixty five tons to a car, we find the total
amount stored as a full thirteen thousand tons. As this coal has been stored here for quite some time and demand for the large sized
coal is very light now, and as there will be hardly much demand for this size of coal this season, some idea of the general hard coal
situation can be determined by conditions actually existing as borne out by the presence of this amount of coal stored at this place.

The Call of February 27, 1931

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STARTS WORK ON NEW BRIDGE

Building operations for the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge over Centre Avenue will be actively started very shortly. Thursday morning
the work of erecting an office on the site was started. Actual excavations, it was expected, would be started Saturday or early the
coming week or just as soon as the steam shovel and other excavating equipment arrives on the scene. The contracting company is
the James McGraw Company of Philadelphia, which company recently completed the Memorial Bridge at Harrisburg. The company
also built the Market Street bridge, the 47 arch railroad bridge at Harrisburg, recently. Several years ago this construction company
was engaged by the Reading Railroad on the moving of the river and building of a new roadbed at Port Clinton.
Mr. William Cullinane of Philadelphia will be the superintendent in charge of the Schuylkill Haven work. Already many men have
applied for work but cannot be taken on as it is understood only a very small number of men can at any time be used on this particular
job. The superintendent announces that no detour of motor traffic will be required, although it will be to the motorists interest to
proceed with caution along the scene of the operation. The first work to be taken up will be that of building a spur track at the point
where the iron bridge will be located. For this purpose, both the excavating of the hill and some fill will be required. The new bridge
will be several hundred yards above the location of the present underpass. It may be completed within three months time. Trains
over this section will have to be operated at a very slow speed and it may be necessary to use two engines to pull the coal and freight
trains in order to gain sufficient speed to pass through the cut outside of town. 12/28

The Call of May 22, 1931

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD BRIDGE SOON TO BE FINISHED
\
Splendid progress is being made on the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge over Centre Avenue by Superintendent William Cullinane and
his force of men. During the week the steel girders were set in place and the steel road bed bolted to the same. There are four
girders used to span the highway. On the southeast side will be found a girder 18' 6" and on the northeast side one of the large
girders, size 113' 6". On the southwest side is a 54' girder and on the northwest side is a 113' 6" girder. The larger girders weigh
approximately seventy tons each. Tuesday, the two largest of the girders were placed. For this purpose the Mount Carbon and
Reading wrecking crews brought their derricks to the scene. A special side track had been built for the purpose and upon these the
steam derrick cars were placed. This was done in order not to interfere with the operation of trains. The work of placing the two
larger girders was begun Tuesday morning and completed at 1:30 in the afternoon. It was completed without a hitch of any kind. As
soon as the steel roadbed had been set and attached to the girders, the track will be moved onto it and the new work made use of.
The placing of forms for the southeast wing wall will then be started, it being impossible to build this wall because of the close
proximity of the embankment. It is expected the work on the underpass will be completed within five weeks time. Between thirty and
thirty five men are employed at this operation. 12/28

The Call of October 21, 1932

FELL TO HIS DEATH NEAR SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Frank Eustace of Pottsville met death Sunday afternoon about three o'clock when he fell from the Pennsylvania Railroad embankment
a short distance above the highway intersection at Connor's. It is believed the top of his head struck squarely on a stone projecting
from the side of the embankment or in the roadbed of the old highway from Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville. A fractured skull evidently
resulted and death was almost instantaneous. The deceased at one time was one of the best known professional baseball players. He
played on teams in the West and in the New England states. For a number of years he played with the Reading team and was a
member of the Pottsville team in the Atlantic League days, 1908-1909. He was a third baseman, an excellent place batter, also
unusually accurate and sure at bunting. He was a dangerous man when on base. He was noted for playing the game in a scientific
manner. He came to Pottsville thirty five years ago and for a time was employed at the Eastern Steel Mill. He was fifty nine years of
age. He is survived by his wife in Pottsville and his father of New York. Two sisters also survive in New York.
A number of persons in the vicinity of Connor's noticed the man as he fell and rolled down the railroad embankment which is about
twenty feet above the highway. Identification could not at first be made, as the man had nothing in the pockets of his clothing to give
away any clue as to his whereabouts. The rumor first circulated about town Sunday and Monday, was to the effect that the man had
fallen from the high Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge nearby. D. M. Bittle, local undertaker, took charge of the body which was later
claimed by his relatives, after having read the description of his person and clothing in the newspapers.

The Call of August 25, 1939

BOYS ROB LOCAL PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

The passenger station of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Schuylkill Haven was robbed Wednesday afternoon by four boys of
Pottsville, who were arrested shortly after the robbery. The boys were Vernon Jones, fifteen, Edward Petroff, fourteen, Frank
Kubashinsky, fifteen and Robert Bowers, sixteen, all of Pottsville. Police Chief Deibert of Schuylkill Haven was called as soon as the
robbery was discovered. He sent Officer Bubeck to the scene and the Pennsylvania Railroad notified. Lieutenant Snyder of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Police force was also called. Clues were picked up and traced and soon the four were under arrest. They
confessed to the robbery. Only a part of the amount stolen, $21.05, was recovered.A hearing was given before Squire Singer of the
first named three, because they were of the juvenile age, Thursday morning. They were committed to the detention house. A hearing
was given Bowers later and he was committed. The boys are old offenders, several of them being on parole at this time for being
implicated in other robberies in Pottsville and surrounding towns.
The robbery took place on Wednesday afternoon between 1:30 and 3:30 o'clock. The boys used a key found on the private porch of
Station Master Fisher to open the outside door to the private part of the station building. Having gained entrance, they unlocked the
door leading from the private hallway into the station. A twelve inch piece of iron was used to smash the glass on the ticket window.
This broken, they reached inside the office, turned back the dead latch and walked into the office. The money was in the drawer and
easily taken. Following the theft, the office door was locked again, the dead latch being sprung. All other doors were locked too.
However, the key to the outside door was taken along but the door itself was not locked. The discovery of the missing key, when Mr.
Fisher desired to enter his home, led to the immediate discovery of the theft. At the time of the theft, Station Master Fisher was out
of town. His wife was doing some writing at the desk in the office at the freight house. The desk, however, is so located in the office
that a view of the station is not possible. And, although there usually are a number of boys about the freight house, playing baseball,
none noticed the boys at work at the station.

The Call of January 20, 1933

SECTION HANDS HAD NARROW ESCAPE

Because they were pretty good jumpers, ten or a dozen members of the repair crew or section gang of this district and employed by
the Reading Company, probably owe their lives. And even at that, they had a pretty narrow escape Tuesday afternoon about 3:30
o'clock, from being run down by number seventy five freight, due in Schuylkill Haven at 3:20 o'clock. Just as the train rounded the
curve a short distance south of the William Street crossing, the engineman saw ahead of him and on the same track, the section gang
operating their hand propelled truck. The shrill whistle of the engine sent the men jumping to safety in the nick of time and in a
second the truck was crushed to kindling wood and the heavy steel portions of it had torn up the south bound sills for some distance.
The engine was not derailed although traveling at a good rate of speed at the time.

The Call of July 28, 1933

TOWN GIRL KILLED BY FLYER SUNDAY EVENING

Audrey Sidler, aged twenty three, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert Sidler of East Main Street in Schuylkill Haven, was almost instantly
killed Sunday evening, shortly after six o'clock, being struck by the Reading Flyer near Connor's Crossing. The girl was walking along
the north bound tracks between the crossing at Connor and the bridge which crosses the Schuylkill River a short distance south of
this point. Whether or not she failed to hear the approach of the train or had been stricken and fell upon the tracks is not known. It is
believed, however, that she failed to hear the approach of the train, otherwise the body would have been mangled to a greater extent
than it was. Examination showed the back of the head to have been crushed, right arm broken, left foot almost severed, cuts in the
face, the right limb and bruises about the body. It is believed a fractured skull was the cause of death. The body was taken to
Pottsville on the train and turned over to undertaker D. M. Bittle. The deceased had been visiting friends in the vicinity of the
accident and had last been seen alive shortly after five thirty o'clock. The Flyer is due in Schuylkill Haven at six o'clock. The
shrieking of the engine's whistle for an unusual length of time attracted the attention of many people in Schuylkill Haven who felt an
accident of some kind had occurred. The impact of the engine with the girl's body was sufficient to split open the case of the woman's
wrist watch, which was found later near the tracks.

The Call of February 23, 1934

BAD WRECK OF EXPRESS NARROWLY AVERTED HERE WEDNESDAY

What might have been a serious wreck or at least derailment of several coaches of Number Eight, south bound Reading Company
Express, due here at 2:12, was averted by the narrowest margin, Wednesday afternoon, by the engineer being able to bring the train
to a stop about midway between the Mine Hill Crossing and the Reading passenger station here. When the train was stopped, the
Pullman coach Eloise, the last car on the train, had straddled both the north and the south bound tracks. The part of the rear truck
remained on the south bound tracks and a part of it was off the track entirely. The front truck of this coach was on the north bound
track and the coach was pulled in this position from the Mine Hill crossing, several hundred yards, down through the railroad yard,
before the train was stopped. The steel coach preceding the Pullman, when the train was brought to a stop, was in an exactly
opposite position. The rear truck was on the north bound tracks while the front truck remained on the south bound track. Both cars
formed a V shaped letter and presented an odd appearance. There seemed to be little evidence of damage having been done to the
cars themselves and there was not any great amount of damage done to the railroad bed, sills or tracks. This because of the fact that
the both cars remained on the tracks until almost at the point where they were brought to a stop, when the rear truck of the last coach
left the rails.
There were three passengers in the Pullman coach and they were subjected to a rather abrupt jostling from one side to the other
when the front part of the car swung from the left to the right. One of the passengers is said to have sustained injuries to his
shoulder. In the day coach ahead, there was a larger number of passengers, none of whom were injured, but all more or less shaken
up as the rear of this car suddenly swung from right to left. The cause of the accident is said to have been a broken rod on the switch
at the Mine Hill Crossing. This, it is said, permitted the switch to change position after a portion of the train had passed over it and
shunted the rear truck of the next to the last coach on the train, to the left or north bound track. The weight of the heavy Pullman in
the rear held it down and was said by railroad men to, perhaps, avoided a complete derailment and possible toppling over of both
cars. Quite a large number of persons quickly gathered at the scene. Both north and south bound traffic was blocked for some time.
Bystanders were treated to a rather novel sight when the work of clearing the tracks was begun. It was that of the day coach being
pulled down the yard to the switch on the railroad bridge, with the fore truck riding on the south bound rails and the rear truck riding
on the north bound tracks, thus occupying two sets of tracks.

The Call of January 18, 1935

DIED AS A RESULT OF HAVING BOTH LEGS SEVERED

Nick Bojack of North Berne Street in Schuylkill Haven died shortly before nine o'clock this morning as the result of having both legs
cut off while at work on the Reading Company roadway crew near the Mine Hill Crossing. He was in the act of tightening bolts in the
tracks and it is believed, by reason of the strong wind, did not hear the approach of the engine Number 916, known better as the yard
engine. The engine came out of a side track that leads into the car shop yard. The man was knocked down and the wheels went over
both legs. The jump and jar of the engine as it left the tracks attracted the attention of his fellow workmen nearby and they ran to his
side. His brother Michael, was among the other workmen nearby. A stretcher was procured and the man brought to the railroad
station here and Dr. Mengel summoned. The man died within five minutes and was dead when the physician arrived. One leg was
severed near the hip while the other leg was cut off below the knee. After Coroner Lenker had viewed the body, he released it to the
undertaker, J. M. Zerbey, who removed the body to his undertaking parlors in a hospital ambulance shortly after the accident
occurred. The deceased man was about twenty nine years of age. He had been employed on the roadway repair crew for a number of
years. He was unmarried and made his home with his sister, Mrs. John Casey of 280 North Berne Street. Twenty years ago his father
was killed almost at the same place, near the Mine Hill Crossing by a passenger train.
The deceased is survived by two brothers and two sisters: Michael and Peter Bojack, Mrs. John Casey and Mrs. Edward Zimmerman.
The family has resided in this section for quite a number of years. The deceased young man was of sturdy build, of a jovial disposition
and a good workman. He was on the repair crew for about nine years.

This view of the Reading Railroad car
shops was taken in 1925. The detail is
great and this may be the best view of
the shops I have ever seen.

The two views of the Reading Railroad coal storage yards south of Schuylkill Haven were taken in 1925. Both are very
detailed and give a great perspective on the overall operation.

This series of nineteen photos was taken in August 1937 during
reconstruction work on the Reading Railroad bridge in Schuylkill Haven.

Shows preliminary scaffolding and forming for north bound main looking north.

Center floor completed with more preliminary forming looking north.

Steel reinforcing prior to pouring floor for the north bound main

Fill under the south bound track looking west.

Completed north bound track showing stringers used to suspend
form work prior to curing.

Completed north bound track section looking north.

Southwest view of form work at the north end of the north bound track.

South end of north bound track at completion looking north.

Completed north bound track bed.

Form work completion on north bound track looking south.

Form work on the north bound track.

Completed floor of the north bound main looking south.

Completed floor on thr north bound main looking north.

North river east bank view of arches and new floor.

View from east bank of river shows original
arches and new concrete floor.

River bank view at north end of bridge showing arches at south end.

The Call of November 1, 1935

THE "J" OFFICE, OLD LANDMARK WAS RECENTLY DESTROYED

About two weeks ago, a small frame building alongside the tracks of the Reading Railroad, above the bridge near Main Street,
Schuylkill Haven, was completely demolished. A string of cars being pushed out of a track by the yard engine jumped the track as a
result of a derailer switch not having been opened. Several cars crashed into this small building and reduced it almost to kindling
wood. The occurrence was called a small mishap or wreck. Traffic was not tied up for any length of time by reason of the derailment
and no great amount of damage was done. The building destroyed was the "J" office. However, few persons, perhaps realized that
with the destruction of this small building, the "J" office, went memories and associations connected with the operation of the P. & R.
Railroad of many years. The "J" office was a landmark, so to speak, in Schuylkill Haven. It had been continuously in use and of
importance up until about two and one half to three years ago when it was completely abandoned and had been merely used as a
storage house. It is part of the history of Schuylkill Haven that the Reading Company opened for traffic through Schuylkill Haven in
1842 and that on May 18th, 1847, a telegraph office was established in the town with Henry Voute as the first operator. The
establishment of this telegraph office was within three years of the first telegraph office being established in America. It is believed
that this particular telegraph office was established in the building known as the "J" office, which at one time was located very close
to the southern end of the old station building on Main Street.
In addition to the office for many years being used for the receiving and dispatching of all telegrams, not only for railroad business
but also for local individuals, business firms and manufacturers, it was the point from which were issued the orders directing trains
through and around the long and at one time busy railroad at this point, as well as through the extensive yards above Mine Hill
crossing. To this office would be sent the name of the crews to be called out for service. To this office also came the news when
local men were killed or injured in railroad accidents or wrecks. With the falling off of the movement of coal over this road, the office
was turned into a one man office on 1908. It heretofore had been operated for a full twenty four hours per day. About three years
ago, the office was closed entirely and some of the business carried on through the Yardmaster at Mine Hill Crossing.
Some of the operators at the "J" office were: Henry Voute, Albert Stager (father of Mr. Howard Stager who has been an operator for
forty years), Lewis Graeff, Samuel Reed, Pierce Coldren, George Strauch, Hiram Kirlin, Norman Lessig, Daniel Garrighan, Daniel
Womer, Charles Hughes, Bert Green and Joseph and Edward McGovern

The Call of December 27, 1935

HAD NARROW ESCAPE IN CROSSING ACCIDENT

Saturday evening, Harry W. Kemmerling and a party from Summit Station had a narrow escape from serious injury and perhaps
possible death when their automobile was struck by train Number seven on the Union Street crossing. Fortunately, the train was
moving at a very slow speed to make the station stop, a short distance above the crossing. The right bumper of the engine struck the
right rear fender of the machine. It turned it completely around and pushed it into the iron fence surrounding the D. D. Coldren
property. The machine remained upright and was little damaged. Other occupants of the car with Mr. Kemmerling were: Mary and
Carrie Fidler, also of Summit Station. These passengers suffered only from shock and superficial cuts. They were treated by Dr. Heim.
This particular grade crossing is guarded by a watchman in daytime and up until seven o'clock in the evening. The watchman had just
left his post of duty a short time before the train arrived. Red flashing signals warn passengers of the approach of a train at this
crossing. Mr. Kemmerling could not state definitely whether these signals were in operation or not.

The Call of July 9, 1937

START REBUILDING OF RAILROAD BRIDGE

Tuesday, work of rebuilding the Reading Company Railroad bridge over the Schuylkill River, a short distance north of the Main Street
crossing, was started. Irwin C. Young, President of Young Brothers Incorporated, contractors and engineers of Philadelphia, was on
the scene,Wednesday, directing operations and checking up with his foremen and engineers for getting a good start on the work.
The job consists of or will consist of putting a new concrete deck on the present bridge. The present stone topping of the archways
is being removed. The old archways, still in splendid condition will remain. There is to be no change to the foundation whatsoever as
it is still in fine condition. New sidewalks will be built along the bridge replacing the old, somewhat dangerous wooden walks. The
walks were made dangerous, to those not used to using this bridge, by reason of parts of the switch rods extending over and above
the walk. However, those persons used to using the bridge as a shortcut to Cressona, Caldwell street or the West Ward, could and
did cross this bridge in the blackest of nights and in all sorts of weather, without even stubbing a toe. In addition to the new concrete
walks that are to be built on the bridge, there will be a new and good looking iron pipe fence that will replace the former iron fence
and I beam base upon which the fence was erected. A notice to the public is issued to the effect that for the present, pedestrians will
be required to use the west side of the bridge entirely. The entire east side will be out of service, there being but one track in use.
Speed of all trains will be cut down very considerably and some delay will also be occasioned, all trains by reason of this fact and the
necessity of all northbound traffic now being required to first be switched to the southbound track. As may be expected, crossings in
town may be blocked more often and for longer periods of time than they usually are by reason of the fact that speed of trains is
reduced and by reason of switching operations for the yards and through traffic.
The new bridge will be the same width as the present bridge. There will be no additional tracks added thereon. The heavy hand
hewn stone making up the foundation over the arches were removed by a steam derrick of the railroad company. The stone can be
put to good use by the company at some other building or at some future operation. Building operations at the bridge will surely
attract many of the older residents of town. Memories will be stirred of happenings of various sorts and of events that may
historically connect this bridge with the life of the community.
The bridge must have been built about 1840 as the Reading Railroad was opened for traffic through Schuylkill Haven in 1842. Millions
and millions of tons of coal have been hauled over it and thousands of passengers have safely been carried across it. There have
been occasional minor accidents such as cars jumping the track or sideswipes. If we remember correctly, several persons have been
injured by having been caught underneath the wheels of moving trains on the bridge. Years and years ago, the bridge was the scene
of many a bloody encounter between the "Irish Flatters" and the "Towners". Many boats passed underneath this bridge. Pedestrians
also passed underneath it through the archway nearest Main Street. Entrance to this archway or "subway" of years ago, was made at
the rear corner of the First National Bank, the guard lock and old lock house long ago having been torn down and covered over with
flower gardens. This archway was a mighty fine convenience to pedestrians, for when Main Street was blocked by a train, this
"subway" afforded a quick solution to the problem of being compelled to wait.
Rebuilding operations on the bridge will be so prosecuted that the northbound track will first be set down on the new concrete deck.
The west side track will next be placed on the new concrete deck. It is expected the bridge will be entirely reconditioned by the first
of November. Twenty men are now employed on the contract.

The Call of June 9, 1939

FIRE AT SHOPS KEEPS FIREMEN THREE HOURS

Members of the Schuylkill Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven, with two trucks and headed by Fire Chief Claude Sausser, battled
flames at the abandoned Reading Company Car Shops in Schuylkill Haven for several hours on Tuesday afternoon, unknown to the
general public. The summons came from the Reading Company shortly after the noon hour. A still alarm was sounded at the Schuylkill
Hose house and firemen in the vicinity responded. Water had to be pumped from the old "Dock" adjoining the "Landing" and the car
shop buildings. It was not until three thirty the same afternoon that the fire was considered extinguished. For weeks, the wooden
sills from the numerous lines of tracks round and about the shops, that have been torn out, have been destroyed by burning them. It
is believed a smoldering fire ate into the banks of fill in which there was much inflammable material. The fire was eating its way
toward the main shop building when the company officials thought best to call the firemen. The abandoned shop building is well filled
with lumber owned by the Bubser Lumber Company. A considerable amount of lumber is also stored in the yards. All of the tracks and
sills at the shops have been removed. Men were at this work for the past several weeks. The Standard Oil Company of America will
shortly lease this property and place thereon a large tank station with a large storage capacity.

The Call of August 23, 1940

TIMELY DISCOVERY OF BROKEN RAIL

The timely discovery of a broken outer rail on the southbound track of the Reading Company at Union Street crossing by watchman
Frank Benseman, probably averted an accident. The rail, one of the heavy sixty six foot long rails had the top part split from the lower
section of the rail for at least two feet. The two were held together and in place by the ground in which the rails are embedded on the
crossing proper. Had the break occurred on the rails other than where they cross a crossing, it would likely have broken completely
off the rail itself. The discovery was made shortly after southbound train Number 2 at seven o'clock in the morning passed over the
same. The roadway department was immediately notified and went to work. When train Number 2 leaving here at 11:26 o'clock left the
station, orders were given to proceed extremely slow as the broken rail was still in place. The new rail had been placed and the job
finished by 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon.

The Call of June 6, 1941

FREIGHT CAR JUMPS RAIL NEAR STATION

A derailed freight car on the Reading tracks just north of the Schuylkill Haven station delayed trains traveling to Pottsville for over an
hour on Tuesday morning. The cause of the accident is not known. The freight car was crossing a switch on the banks of the
Schuylkill River when for some unknown reason the back trucks, instead of following the front truck, went on another track. Before
the train could be halted, the car jumped the tracks. A trainman riding on top of the car, thinking it was going to upset, jumped form
the car over the Schuylkill River. He was fortunate in receiving only slight bruises and abrasions.

The Call of June 18, 1943

LIGHTNING HITS OLD CAR SHOPS

The car shops in the borough were considerably damaged yesterday afternoon about four o'clock during the storm when lightning
struck the building. The lightning traveled through the building and immediately the place filled with smoke and flames shot through
the roof at three or four places. The Schuylkill, Liberty and rainbow Hose Companies responded and at 5:15 o'clock the fire was under
control. The fire companies remained at the scene until about seven o'clock.

The Call of January 28, 1944

SPECTACULAR FIRE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT DESTROYS BREAKER AT CAR SHOPS
Equipment Installed Last Week Worth $12,000; Endangers Lumber, Oil Plant

Fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed the newly erected coal washery in the carpenter shops of the old Reading Car
Shops, near Connor's Crossing late Saturday night about 11:30 o'clock. The washery was owned by McKinley E. Hoover of Pottsville
Street in Cressona and Harvey Ritter of Schuylkill Haven. This is the second time within several months that Mr. Hoover suffered a
loss by fire. The Sherman Breaker of Pottsville, of which he was the owner, was destroyed by flames several months ago.
The fire was discovered by Aaron Bernet of Schuylkill Haven, a guard at the Alcoa plant, who thinking sills were burning close to the
building turned in the alarm to Clause A. Sausser, fire chief. In a short time the entire building was ablaze and a general alarm was
sounded and the three companies of town and the Cressona firemen responded. The fire companies dropped their pumpers to the
edge of the docks where at one time boats loaded for trips to tidewater. Holes were cut through ten inch ice and with a thousand feet
of hose in use, the men worked all night to put out the fire and to save the main car shop building now occupied by the Bubser
Lumber Company as a storage place for lumber. The large storage tanks of the Standard Oil Company are close by and were in
danger. The main building was filled with smoke at one time and was in danger of bursting into flames which could have caused the
storage fuel and oil easily to have been destroyed. By the time the trucks were called and started for the scene of the fire, the flames
were visible from every part of town. Fortunately there was no breeze blowing and the flames shot hundreds of feet into the air with
sparks being carried still higher. The stillness of the night undoubtedly saved the adjoining old car shops filled with lumber and the
gas and oil storage plant of the Standard Oil Company nearby.
The coal preparation plant was in one of the buildings which formerly housed the Schuylkill Haven car shops of the Reading Company.
It was about thirty by seventy feet, one story high and constructed with heavy timber. There had been no heat in the building on
Saturday. It was equipped for the cleaning of river coal with modern machinery. It was planned to bring the silt up from the river and
send it to the plant in conveyors to be cleaned and have the coal separated and removed for shipment. The plant, consisting of
concentrating and separating tables and all needed equipment and machinery including a new sawmill which had been set up during
the past week is a total loss due to the terrific heat which grew greater when the metal roof collapsed on top of the blazing mass.
The collapse of the building and the covering of the fire by the metal roof made extinguishing the fire difficult. Firemen remained
until four o'clock in the morning and the remains continued to smolder throughout the rest of the day. Through the heroic work of the
firemen, a two hundred gallon drum of gasoline was saved from destruction by the constant play of water on it. Drums of oil went up
in flames. The loss of the machinery was estimated at $12,000 which is practically covered with insurance. The value of the building
is $1500.

The Call of April 11, 1947

MARVIN GAUSS HIT BY TRAIN, STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Marvin Gauss, 38, of 5 Maple Street in Cressona, is a patient in the Good Samaritan Hospital suffering with a possible fracture at the
base of the skull as the result of a grade crossing accident last Friday at 7:30 p. m. Mr. Gauss was operating an empty coal truck
driving east to Union Street and attempted to pass through the Union Street crossing as the first section of passenger train Number
97 came north towards the Schuylkill Haven station at Main Street. The truck was hit in the center, raised from the ground and carried
by the engine until it was brought to a stop in front of the station about two hundred yards away. He was picked from the cab of the
shattered truck, given first aid by Dr. L. D. Heim and taken to the hospital in the Claude A. Lord ambulance.
The train which hit the truck was one of two sections and was traveling about ten minutes ahead of the second section. The second
section was flagged before it reached the Main Street crossing. The wrecking trucks of Harvey Moyer were called and pulled the
demolished truck from the engine "cowcatcher." The locomotive was slightly damaged and was temporarily repaired before it
proceeded to Pottsville. Traffic was tied up on the railroad for more than a half hour while the truck was being removed.
The crossing is normally protected by gates and a watchman but he goes off duty at seven in the evening. Both the Reading Company
and witnesses agreed that the crossing's flashing red lights were in operation at the time of the accident. Eyewitnesses who were
standing near the crossing said the truck was tossed into the air several feet but settled back on the front of the engine after tearing
off the crossing gate. The condition of Mr. Gauss is reported to be improved, although he is not entirely conscious at all times.

The Call of July 18, 1947

BOROUGH WANTS CROSSING WATCHMEN

Borough Council expressed dislike for the railroad crossing precautions proposed by the Reading Company to Chief Burgess William
J. Harner when he brought the matter to the attention of the local governing body on Monday night at Town Hall. The plan of the
Reading Company is to erect a central control tower at Union Street to control the gates at all three crossings, Main, Union and
Williams Streets. The gates will be half gates, covering the street only on the right side in front of traffic.
Most of the members entered into the discussion. It was pointed out that the operator in the control tower could not get a good
enough view of oncoming traffic either on Main or Williams Streets to operate the gates in a safe manner. The group was unanimous
in its opinion that the best safety measure for these three crossings is to have a watchman on duty at each one, with Union and
Williams Street watchmen on duty until eleven o'clock at night. The only train after that is the "Buffalo" early in the morning when
there is practically no traffic on these two streets. At the present time Main Street has a watchman twenty four hours a day, while the
watchman at Union and Williams Streets is on duty from seven in the morning until seven at night. The most dangerous time is around
7:30 in the evening when two trains pass within a few minutes of each other. Ity happens occasionally that either one is slow or fast
and they pass in Schuylkill Haven. There have been several close calls when motorists waiting at Union Street for a train at the
station, pullout as soon as the train passes the gates, only to see the other oncoming train bearing down upon them from the other
track. The present blinker system works when switches are closed in the shifting yards and also back at Manbeck's. During the day,
when a watchman is on duty at Union Street, motorists become accustomed to going across the tracks while the gates are up and no
train is approaching. These same motorists, not giving thought to the absence of a watchman after seven o'clock, amy find
themsleves going across the tracks with the lights blinking as they do during the day.

Looking south on the mainline towards the station.

Looking north toward the yards from the west side of the bridge.

Spring installation on southbound main.

The Call of August 22, 1947

PETER BRINICH FALLS UNDER COAL CAR

Peter Brinich of the Eves apartments on Saint Peter Street is in critical condition in the Good Samaritan Hospital where he was rushed
in the ambulance after he had fallen under a moving coal car and had his two legs and an arm severed. The accident occurred about
2:15 p. m. this afternoon. At 3:00 the hospital reported that he was living and that the doctors were working on him. Brinich is
employed by the Lobh Coal Company at the end of Parkway and was said to be attempting to break a moving coal car when he fell
beneath the wheels of the car. The wheels passed over his body, cutting off one leg at the hip and severing the other one at the
ankle. An arm was badly mangled. The injured man has been in th eemploy of the Lobh Coal Co,pany for several years. He is married
and has one child, born recently.

The Call of October 24, 1947

TRAIN HITS AUTO AT UNION STREET

The dangerous intersection at Union Street, without a watchman at night time, was the scene of another train accident on Sunday
night about 7:30 and two hours later a second car barely cleared the tracks in front of an approaching train at the same crossing.
Fred V. Knecht, editor of "The Call" and his two children, Anne, six and Dennis, four, narrowly escaped when they jumped from their
automobile, which had stalled on the tracks shortly before the Pottsville bound Reading Company passenger train crashed into the
front end of the car. Shortly after nine o'clock, another car driven by an unknown person, barely missed being hit by the Number 9
train coming down from Pottsville, as the car passed over the tracks a split second before the train roared past.
The Knecht car, which had stalled upon approaching the crossing and then drifted onto the tracks when an attempt was made to start
it, was hit on the fender and the bumper by the train. Damage estimated at $300 consists of smashed fenders, bumper, grill and
radiator and a twisted hood.

The Call of December 19, 1947

AUTO OF CHARLES WAGNER STRUCK BY BACKING COAL TRAIN

For the third time in nine months, the Union Street railroad crossing, without a watchman at night time, was the scene of an auto train
crash but fortunately the lone occupant of the car escaped injury. Charles G. Wagner, funeral director on Hoover Street, narrowly
escaped death Wednesday night at 9:30 when his car was hit by a pullup coal train backing down the tracks. The car, a 1940
Oldsmobile, was hit directly in the center on the right side and pushed along the tracks for about fifty feet before the train came to a
stop. The car on the left side was jammed against a switch and the right side was so badly smashed that Mr. Wagner could not get out
of the car. He had to be pulled through one of the windows. The flagman on the train had only a few minutes to run down the tracks
and flag train Number 9. Mr. Wagner, who is 75 years old, was uninjured except for a slight abrasion on his left wrist. He is suffering
from shock. Mr. Wagner was on his way home from the casket factory where he works as a watchman. At Saint John Street he turned
onto Union and approached the tracks. Police stated it was reported that the lights were blinking and Mr. Wagner stopped and
looked for a train. Not hearing a whistle or seeing train lights, he started across the tracks. Suddenly the back end of the shifting
train loomed in front of him and struck the car directly in the middle. The car remained upright as it was pushed along the tracks.
Damage is estimated at between $600 and $800. Flagman Joseph Leddy of Saint Clair claims he tooted the air whistle and as soon as
the crash occurred, he applied the emergency brakes. The Harvey B. Moyer wrecker removed the damaged car but Number 9 train to
Pottsville was delayed for 27 minutes before the tracks were cleared. On Thursday morning the wrecked car was taken to the Earl
Stoyer garage.
Involved in the other two accidents were Marvin Gaus of Cressona, whose coal truck was hit Good Friday night and Fred V. Knecht,
whose car was hit October 19. Mr. Gaus was seriously injured and spent a long time in the hospital before being able to return to
work. Editor Knecht and his two children jumped from the car just before it was hit.

The Call of December 19, 1947

READING OFFICIALS DISCUSS CHANGE IN SAFETY MEASURES

Three train and auto accidents at the Union Street crossing within nine months have aroused the people of town over the need of
more adequate safety measures at this and the William Street crossing after six o'clock in the evening. The three accidents occurred
after the watchmen go off duty at these two crossings, two being involved with the 7:30 train and the other at 9:30.
Immediately after the accident involving Charles Wagner on Wednesday night, Chief Burgess William Harner called W. S. Sloatman,
superintendent of the Shamokin Division of the Reading Company and Mr. Sloatman agreed to come up to Schuylkill Haven to take up
the matter of safety at the crossings. At 12:15 this afternoon, Burgess Harner, George Gray and Fred V. Knecht met with Mr. Sloatman
and H. F. Smith, Chief Engineer of the Shamokin Division. The two Reading Company officials agreed that the present system did not
give adequate protection and explained the plan the company has for insuring safety. The plan is to have half gates at all three
crossings, operated by a watchman in a tower erected at Union Street. The control man will have a panel in front of him giving the
layout of the track which by means of small lights shows him the progress of approaching trains. The gates at the three crossings will
operate independently of each other. Along with the half gates will be blinker lights, open at the back as to be visible from both ends.
These lights will begin blinking several seconds before the gates descend. Because the control tower operator mans the gates,
there will be no blinking of lights when trains are shifting and no using the tracks at the crossings. It was pointed out to Mr. Sloatman
that the plans had been given to Borough Council for their consideration but that the governing body of the community did not think
such safety devices would serve adequately at the crossings.
The Reading Company officials closed the discussion by stating that they would send to the chief burgess pictures of the new type
gates and tower and informative literature explaining their operation. When this information arrives, the Chamber of Commerce and
Borough Council will consider whether or not the manually controlled gates from a central tower will insure safety at the crossings.
The Reading Company has all material ready to submit the plan to the Public Utilities Commission and make application for permission
to install the new gates. The estimated cost of the installation is $20,000.

The Call of December 17, 1948

FRIEDENSBURG MAN HAS LUCKY ESCAPE AS TRAIN HITS CAR

Charles F. Brown of Friedensburg miraculously escaped serious injury early Saturday morning when the new "Schuylkill" train totally
demolished his automobile at the Union Street crossing. Brown, returning home to his Friedensburg home from his work on the night
shift at Alpha Mill, drove onto the crossing as the 12:20 a. m. train was approaching the station. The impact knocked off his shoes and
threw him out of the car. The engine hit the front end of the automobile, threw it against the traffic gate standard and a railroad
crossing sign, and then caught the back end and crumpled the entire body of the car as it was wedged between the train and the
posts. Brown who is fifty three was alone in the car at the time. He does not know how or through which door he was thrown from the
car. He escaped from the crash with an abrasion on the forehead and slight bruises on the legs. A hearing aid he was wearing at the
time, as well as one of his shoes, was not found in the wreckage. Tires, lights and parts of the fenders and bumpers were found far
up the track and underneath the train after it had pulled out.
A call was placed for the community ambulance. When it arrived, Brown, who only complained of being cold, entered the ambulance
to get warm and remained there until after the car had been removed and a report made by the Reading Company representatives. It
was claimed that the blinker lights were in operation at the time. Brown's car was totally demolished and the new "Schuylkill,"
involved in its first accident had its engine and first two cars slightly damaged. Daniel Scott of Cressona was engineer of the train.
The wrecker of Harvey B. Moyer had to remove the wedged in car before the train could continue to its destination in Pottsville. It
was held up twenty five minutes by the accident. Brown was later taken to the office of Dr. N. Albert Fegley and after an examination
was removed to his Friedensburg home. Mr. Brown is the father of Mrs. Robert Roeder, wife of the well known general store
proprietor at Friedensburg.
This accident was the fourth at the Union Street crossing in less than two years. On Good Friday night, 1947, Norman Goss of
Cressona was seriously injured when his truck was hit by the 7:30 evening train. Fred V. Knecht was hit by the 7:30 train and a few
months later, a car driven by Charles Wagner was hit by a shifting engine around 8:30 in the evening. All four persons involved in the
accidents were well acquainted with the crossing and used it frequently. At the time of the first three accidents, the crossing
watchman went off duty at 6:oo p. m. Several months ago, the crossing watchman was retained until 11:00 p. m. At the time of the four
accidents, there was no watchamn on duty but the blinking lights were working.

The Call of January 31, 1949

HALF GATES WITH PEDESTRIAN GATES WILL PROTECT RAILROAD CROSSINGS

Electrically operated crossing gates, controlled from a tower at Union Street, will be installed at the three streets in Schuylkill Haven
which cross the tracks of the Reading Railroad. Approval was given by the Public Utilities Commission to the plan submitted by the
Reading Company, provided pedestrian sidewalk gate arms be installed at the Main and Union Street crossings. The original plan
called for the half gates to be installed at the three crossings. Because these half gates would protect only the right hand side of the
crossing and would afford no safety precaution for the pedestrians on the left hand side of the highway, objections were presented
by local groups when the hearing was held in Pottsville by the PUC. The strongest protest was made by the PTA and the Woman's
Club, supported by the men's civic clubs. The order approving the installation of the new type gates was signed by John Siggins Jr.,
chairman of the PUC. Expense of installing the new equipment, making relocation charges, reimbursing property owners and
maintaining the control for twenty four hours will be borne by the Reading Company. The estimated cost of the new type gates is
$28,263. The gates and the flashing light warning signals must be installed by November 30, 1949 according to the order.
At the present time only the Main Street crossing has twenty four hour watchman protection. At Union Street the watchman operates
the gates from 6:00 a. m. until 10:00 p. m. and at Union Street a watchman is on duty from 6:00 a. m. until 6:00 p. m. Each of the
crossings has automatic blinker lights but because of the frequent use of the track by shifting trains, the lights are blinking when the
crossings are not being used. During the day, motorists are accustomed to going across the tracks when the lights are blinking and
the watchman has the gates up. At night time, however, with no watchman on duty, the gates remain up when trains approach the
crossings at Union Street and William Street. Four accidents occurred at the Union Street crossing in less than two years' time and in
all four cases the drivers of the vehicles involved were frequent users of the crossing.
Following the first two accidents, protests were made to the Reading Company about inadequate protection at the crossings. The
railroad company proposed the half gates operated by one man at the central control tower. When no action was forthcoming, and
another accident occurred, the local organizations again protested and asked that a watchman be put on twenty four hour duty at
Union Street. The watch at Union Street which had been from six to six was lengthened to ten in the evening. The fourth accident
occurred at 12:30 a. m., involving the new "Schuylkill" train.
It is believed the new type gates will provide adequate protection for both motorists and pedestrians. Under the new system, the
operator in the control tower will observe the approach of trains by a panel of lights that show him the location of the approaching
train. He can operate the gates at the three crossings individually. Before the gate is lowered, the blinker lights will begin operating.
Motorists and pedestrians will know that when the lights blink, a train is approaching the crossing and the gates will be lowered. Half
gates, extending over only one half the highway will be used for motorists on the right hand side upon which the cars normally drive.
If a motorist should get on the tracks as the gates are being lowered, he will be able to drive right through as the gate for
approaching traffic on the other side of the track will operate on the other side of the street, leaving his side open. The pedestrian
gates will be located on both sides of the street and both sides of the track so that a barrier will be placed at each sidewalk railroad
crossing. If motorists and pedestrians heed the warning lights, which operate only when trains approach the crossing, and not when
trains are shifting farther up the track, and wait until the gates are raised before attempting to cross the tracks, crossing accidents
should be avoided.

The Call of October 24, 1952

FREIGHT TRACKS WILL BE REMOVED

The Public Utility Commission has approved the application of Reading Company for permission to remove a track connecting with a
main line in Schuylkill Haven and a track in front of the Schuylkill Haven freight station. The PUC granted the request when no
protests were entered and all concerned agreed to the removal at a meeting of PUC, Reading Company, Schuylkill Haven borough and
highway department officials in Schuylkill Haven on September 24. The railroad said it would remove rails and ties and resurface the
Main Street crossing at its own expense. The track to be removed connects with the main line for east bound traffic at the Main
Street crossing. Its removal, the railroad said, will reduce the manner of switching movements across Main Street. The PUC approval
order directs that the work be completed on or before April 30, 1953. Elimination of the track will create no change in present
crossing devices.

The Call of May 22, 1958

RAILROAD EXPRESS TO END HERE

The railway express agency at Schuylkill Haven is threatened with closing unless strong enough protest is voiced to the Public
Utilities Commission within thirty days. The Reading Company this morning posted notice of its intention to discontinue the railway
express at Schuylkill Haven. If this is done, the express will be handled through the Pottsville agency. According to Charles Deibler,
employed in the local office, this will mean delivery in Schuylkill Haven, instead of being made in the morning, will be delayed until the
afternoon or the next day. It will also mean the discontinuance of five jobs in Schuylkill Haven. Presently employed are Joseph Dowd,
agent; Charles Deibler and W. P. Strouse, clerks and freight handlers; A, F, McGovern, clerk and John Casey, freight handler. Thirty
days are allowed for the filing of protests. The protests should be made to the Public Utilities Commission in Harrisburg with a copy to
be sent to Hugh Graef, superintendent of mail express, South Broad and Poinier Streets in Newark, New Jersey. The local express
shipmenst are delivered by Edward H. Shollenberger's Sons.

The Call of March 5, 1959

RAILWAY EXPRESS OFFICE TO REMAIN IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

The Railway Express will continue to serve this area from its office in Schuylkill Haven. Notification was received by Attorney Howard
G. Stutzman that the Public Utilities Commission had rejected the petition of the Railway Express Agency to discontinue its Schuylkill
Haven office and handle the service through the Pottsville headquarters. Numerous protests were filed by local groups and
individuals and these people appeared at the PUC hearing conducted in Pottsville last July on the petition. The agency claimed that
declining receipts made it necessary as an economy move to consolidate the offices. At the hearing it was shown that the decline in
receipts had been small and could possibly have been caused by the current recession. Appearing and testifying at the hearing
were Dr. Paul S. Christman of the school district and Rotary Club, Moe Fisher of the Argo Mills, and Aaron "Doc" Bernet of Earl
Stoyers. Prior to the hearing most of the town businesses and industries as well as individual citizens wrote to the PUC to protest
the closing of the local railway Express office.

Pottsville Republican of March 19, 1926

Just after realizing a life's ambition to be a railroader, Frank J. Heim, 44, of Schuylkill Haven, met his death
on duty on Thursday night on his run between Philadelphia and Rutherford. He was found on the top of a
box car, fatally injured, having been struck as the train passed under a bridge, and died before he reached a
hospital.
Since a boy, Heim's ambition had been to become a railroader, and though he worked at various other
occupations, he always had his aim before him and was working toward this end. For a number of years he
was employed at the Doutrich's store in Pottsville where his he applied for a position on the railroad and
was told if he underwent a slight surgical cheerful and likeable disposition made him a favorite with the
patrons. About ten weeks ago operation, he could pass a physical examination and be entered in the
service. He was operated upon and six weeks ago passed the examination and entered the passenger
service, his run being between Philadelphia and Rutherford. Thursday night however he was on a freight
train.
Thursday afternoon, his father, I. B. Heim of Schuylkill Haven, celebrated his 69th birthday and Frank and his
family were at the father's home for the celebration, which was a doubly happy one, for it also marked the
attaining of the son's ambition and there was much rejoicing. Frank left for Philadelphia at two o'clock and
his train had just started out when the accident happened. He had started toward the engine and evidently
did not notice the approach to the bridge and was struck as he was on the boxcar. He was still alive when
found but died a few minutes later. His new uniform arrived at his home this morning and he will be buried
in it. Heim was very popular in church and fraternal circles. He was a Past Master in Page Lodge F. and A.
M., a member of Carroll Lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Royal Arcanium. He was a member of Saint
Matthew's Lutheran Church and of the church council and took an active part in church work.
Surviving are his wife, who was Miss Mamie Kirkpatrick, and three daughters; Alva wife of William Yoder of
Schuylkill Haven, Edith and Ruth at home. His father and one brother, Harvey R. Heim of Schuylkill Haven
survive.