TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION

This page within the site will contain information on the
various modes of transportation important to the town of
important in the early development of town. The second will
involve the railroads, 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

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.

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 in the
Schuylkill Haven yards.

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

LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 14

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 shows the line of travel through Schuylkill
Haven as it would have appeared on a trip on the trolley.

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.

In February 1907, the Pottsville Union Traction Company announced that
the fare for a trolley trip from Pottsville to Smoketown (Liberty Street)
would be raised to a nickel.

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.

Pottsville Republican of June 28, 1887

At about twelve o’clock last night flames were discovered issuing from the large stables of the Schuylkill Navigation
Company, situated on Canal Street, Schuylkill Haven. The alarm was given and promptly responded to by the Rainbow
Hose Company, the only fire organization in the town, and the citizens generally, who at once set to work heroically to
stay the devouring element. But their efforts proved futile and within the short space of an hour the great wooden
structure, together with its contents, was a smoldering mass of ruins.
There were six mules and one horse in the doomed building all of which were roasted alive. It also contained a large
quantity of hay, straw, feed, harness and one or two wagons, all of which shared the one common fate. The stable was
very large, capable of accommodating two and three hundred head of stock and was in excellent repair. The loss is
estimated at about eight thousand dollars. The fire was the largest that has ever visited our neighboring borough, and
the peculiarly inflammable nature of the building precluded the possibility of staying the flames which illuminated the
country for miles around, attracting the attention of people in Pottsville who happened to be on the street at that hour.
The stables being somewhat isolated no damage was done to other buildings. The Hose company was highly commended
for the promptness with which they responded to the alarm and the manner in which they worked to stay the flames and
prevent their spreading to other property. It is not probable, under the circumstances, that the stables will be rebuilt.

Newest Reading Railroad stories added include Daniel Mulholland
killed in the Reading yard, a man complains about foot pain....after
it is removed and buried and Wally Bernheiser killed at the
Union Street crossing
Three wrecks in the storage yards result in two deaths.
Lehigh Valley trestle on fire
One of last remaining canal buildings burns down.
Explosion on the Reading kills five railroaders. Read the front
page stories from November 1892.
See the just added detailed map of the Schuylkill Navigation
Company. Locations of locks and towpaths are shown on this
valuable historical map.

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.

The business of the canal was also beset by tragedy at times
as the news article below reveals

This is John Bausman, the lock tender at Lock 12
in Schuylkill Haven. Weighing over 400 pounds,
he died in the shed adjacent to the lock, built
especially for him since he was unable to fit
through the door of the lock house.

The offices of the Schuylkill Navigation Company were located on Coal
Street. Here officials of the company pose for a photo in front of the
building. The photo is from the early 1880s.

This postcard shows a canal lock within the borough.
It's exact location is not identified.

This view looks south down the Schuylkill River toward the
Reading Railroad bridge which still stands. The bridge in
the foreground is a foot bridge which connected the end
of Saint Peter Street with the Irish Flat or the Island as it is
now known.

This picture was taken from behind the former Saint
There are three church steeples on the right
belonging to from right; Saint James Episcopal, the
Christ Lutheran churches.

This view is of an old canal lock located in the area of the
current Hess Concrete business. On the left you can see
the former Christ Lutheran Church.

In the section below are pictures, information and historical articles on the:
SCHUYLKILL NAVIGATION COMPANY
OR
SCHUYLKILL CANAL
and it's relationship to Schuylkill Haven

Canal boats in Schuylkill Haven near the
Reading Railroad bridge near Main Street.

The three images below show the canal
as it passes through Schuylkill Haven.

Canal boats crowd the
river at the Broadway
bridge circa 1878.

Another scene near
the Broadway bridge.
The iron structure's
life span was from 1872
until 1930 when it was
replaced with the
current structure.

More canal boats on
the section running
through the town.

The street now known as Parkway was once called Canal
Street. This image shows the canal as it existed in that
area in about 1885.

This photo by H. S. Deibert in about 1882 shows
a boat ready to launch after construction in the
was in the area of Meck's Mill today.

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.

The shipping receipt above was issued by George H. Potts & Company at Schuylkill Haven.
This 1863 order was for egg and stove coal shipped on the canal boat, "Daniel Healy".

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
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.

From the front page of the Pottsville Republican of August 14, 1895....

A SUICIDE UNEARTHED

A Ghastly Find by Three
Young Boys
CAUSED BY A COPPERHEAD SNAKE
The Dead Body of a Middle-aged
Man in an Advanced state of
Decomposition - Near the Seven
Stars in North Manheim Township

One of the most shocking cases of suicide ever revealed in this vicinity was brought to the light of day by a copperhead
snake this morning about nine o'clock at the second canal lock above the Seven Stars and almost opposite the site of
the late foot bridge heading from the pike across the Schuylkill River.
Three boys, William and Clifford Fisold, of 309 Schuylkill Avenue, and Richard Morrison, of 319 Schuylkill Avenue, were
picking elderberries along the old canal berm bank, when their attention was attracted by a copperhead snake, which
they followed. The serpent crawled over the old lock wall just where the upper gate was located, and the boys, peering
over after it were horrified to see the body of a man hanging by the neck to a strong leather belt strap, one end of which
was fastened to an iron eyelet projecting from the lock wall.
The stench was terrible and flies hovered about in countless myriads. Part of the hair had fallen from the head, one eye
hung out and the whole tongue protruded; in fact, the whole head was one mass of unrecognizable and blackened
putrification.
That it was a most deliberate suicide or murder was proven by the bent knees, which were within a half foot of the
ground, and the extended hands held out at an angle of forty five degrees, indicating agony and determination. The
place is a most lonesome one and people might pass and repass within a few yards and never suspect anything of the
kind, the old canal bottom being thickly covered with bushes, trees, and undergrowth, so that it was necessary for the
Coroner and his jury to cut their way to the scene.
The man wore a common flannel overshirt, with a pocket on the left breast and cheap cheviot black pantaloons. The
strap was evidently run through the buckle, and the knot rested back of his left ear, the right side of his head being
pressed against the lock wall. He was of splendid physique and evidently a workingman or blacksmith. No trace of his
hat or coat could be found.
The boys ran to Pottsville and notified Deputy Coroner James J. Clemens, who summoned Robert walker and John J.
O'Connor, the latter of the "Republican", and with them proceeded to the scene where they found the facts as above
stated, and adjourned until Thursday morning at nine o'clock to hear further testimony.
Coroner Clemens notified the almshouse officials to remove the body, telling them to bring plenty of disinfectant.
George Rourke, of Palo Alto, Matthew and Joseph Skelly, of Pottsville, John Grady, Martin Goulden, and Edward McAvoy,
of Mount Carbon, were also summoned as witnesses.
The man was about fifty years old and had brown hair and mustache, and at first glance appeared to be colored. He has
been hanging there anywhere from two weeks to two months.
This afternoon, Steward Hartman, Keepers John W. Reese and Edward Hughes, of the almshouse, proceeded to the spot
with a dead box and wagon. Plenty of Werther's disinfectant was used to subdue the sickening stench, after which the
body was loaded up and taken to the almshouse cemetery. Coroner Clemens furnished his jurymen with cotton and they
plugged their nostrils with it.

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.

At last the Reading Company have decided to abandon that portion of the Schuylkill Canal between Schuylkill Haven and
Port Clinton. This will be a stunning blow to our neighboring borough, Schuylkill Haven, although its severity is
neutralized by the fact that the company have been gradually withdrawing business from the canal for some time past
and many of Schuylkill Haven's boatmen have drifted away to other localities. It seems a pity that so much valuable
property of the company is to be abandoned and the boat yards above Port Clinton are to be wiped out of existence. But
the fiat has gone forth and so it must be.

The canal remained a danger for local residents and
was the scene for tragedy for years after its closing...

Pottsville Republican of June 7, 1888

Frank Palsgrove, employed by the P & R Company as a telegraph operator of Philadelphia, came to Schuylkill Haven, his
former home, to spend a short vacation. He was last seen about a week ago and this morning at eleven o'clock his dead
former home, to spend a short vacation. He was last seen about a week ago and this morning at eleven o'clock his dead
of age, married and lost a leg on the railroad some years ago. The remains were taken in charge by his brother, James
body was fished out of the canal near the lock into which he had no doubt fallen unobserved. He was about thirty years
body was fished out of the canal near the lock into which he had no doubt fallen unobserved. He was about thirty years
of age, married and lost a leg on the railroad some years ago. The remains were taken in charge by his brother, James
Palsgrove, and will be interred at Schuylkill Haven. Deputy Coroner Palm empanelled a jury, who will examine the
circumstances of the occurrence, which is believed to have been accidental.

Pottsville Republican of August 3, 1920

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOY DROWNS IN DOCK

The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward McCord, of Schuylkill Haven, was drowned between six and seven o'clock
Tuesday evening. He with several other children were swimming in the old dock, at that place. The boys had finished
their swim and were getting ready to go home and noticed his clothing lying there. They gave the alarm but it was too
late. When John Henry plunged in to save him, he brought out his lifeless body.

Pottsville Republican of June 28, 1926

DRAG CANAL FOR MURDER VICTIM, FOOT IS FOUND

Do the remains of a human being lay buried deep in the silt of the old Schuylkill Canal at Schuylkill Haven? That is the
question which is bothering the officials of that thriving borough, as well as Coroner L. T. Heim. Early Sunday evening,
Samuel Yeich found a foot buried partially in the mud near the car shops at the old docks. Realizing the gruesomeness
of his discovery, he immediately notified the borough officials and Coroner Heim in turn was called. He removed the foot
from the water and after careful examination pronounced it as that of either a boy or a man of exceedingly small stature.
It was taken to the morgue at the county almshouse where it is being held pending an attempt at identification. There are
however, no marks of any nature which might lead to some person identifying the member.
Several theories have been advanced as to how the foot came to be where it was, but no definite developments along
these lines have come about. The first thought is that a murder has been committed and that the foot is a part of a
dismembered body lying buried in the mud of the canal. The other is that the foot may have been brought to Schuylkill
Haven in a carload of dirt. The Reading company is filling in the old canal bed and it is possible that the foot was in one
of the cars.
Asked as to whether efforts would be made to drain or drag the canal, Dr. Heim stated that neither plan was feasible.
Lying on the bottom of the canal is the wreck of at least one old canal boat and a lot of other debris which would interfere
greatly with any efforts of dragging. As far as draining the ditch is concerned, this hardly is possible. The nearest a fire
engine could be taken to the stream would be about 300 feet and would necessitate a lot of work to get the pool clear.
While the investigation is virtually at a standstill at the present time owing to the difficulties which face the authorities,
Coroner Heim and the other officials are following their investigations and are hopeful of getting results which will lead
to the solution of the mystery of the foot.

SAD
DEATH
OF
FRANK J.
HEIM

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
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 Oddfellows 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.

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 16, 1914

BODY OF MAN FOUND IN CANAL

On Friday morning about 10:30 o'clock while walking along the old towpath of the canal below Connor's Crossing, John
Bausman of Schuylkill Haven noticed the head of a man extending out of the water about twenty feet from shore and
upon close investigation, discovered that the remainder of the body was under water. He notified several people close
by and Coroner Moore was called up and told of the finding of the body. When the coroner arrived, he pulled the body
out of the water, assisted by Harry Sterner and ray Reed and the trio searched the man but found nothing that would lead
to his identity. The only thing found in his pockets were four keys, an old watch and a red handled knife. The body was
then removed to the almshouse where it will be kept until the postmortem is held Friday evening by Dr. L. Heim of
Schuylkill Haven. An inquest will likely follow tomorrow.
The place where the man was found is just a short distance to the rear of the Rudy Moyer coal yard. There is a road
there used by Moyer and Lord, coal dealers, for loading, and just a short distance from where he was found is a bridge
about eight feet long without any side railing. The general opinion is that the man had been going over the bridge and
had fallen into the water which is rather deep a short distance above there. He is about fifty five or sixty years of age
and weighs about 170 pounds. He is five feet eight inches in height, has sandy hair and a sandy mustache; he wore a
blue striped shirt, a bluish black vest and trousers, cotton stockings and a pair of laced shoes. He had no teeth in the
upper jaw and in the lower jaw there were but three teeth. His face about the eyes was swollen and very blue.
Indications pointed that he had been in the dock at least a week and probably twice that long. Parts of his body were
very well preserved, while other portions were decomposed.
THINK HIM AN ALMSHOUSE INMATE
Late Friday afternoon when the officials viewed the body, they asserted that the dead man was one of their inmates,
Lewis Krauskopf. Lewis left the almshouse last Saturday after his work had been done and said he was going in to
Schuylkill Haven. That was the last seen of him and officials thought that he had gone to Mahanoy City to the home of a
claimant as he did a short time ago. On the last occasion however, he got a pas to goto Mahanoy City, but the officials
thought he neglected to get the pass and had gone without one. While at the almshouse he was employed as a
carpenter and when he left he carried a watch, knife and some keys answering the description given. The keys will be
tried in the doors at the almshouse and in this way he will be identified. The decomposition of the upper part of the face
makes it impossible to identify him by his features. Krauskopf, according to the officials at the almshouse, is a former
Mahanoy City resident and is about 78 years of age. He was known as a first class carpenter at the almshouse and his
partner carpenter when shown the body said at once that it was Lewis.

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
Conductor Oscar Bicht, and an auto collided at the big turn in Spring Garden, Schuylkill Haven. The front part of the car
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.

Pottsville Republican 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 has been restructured by grouping all pictures and articles by railroad. The Reading Railroad is first
including the storage yards south of town. The Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley Railroads then follow. Trolley
pictures and news is next with the Schuylkill Canal information at the bottom of the page. Articles are now in
chronological order with the newest articles highlighted with yellow background.

READING
RAILROAD

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad operated a large coal storage yard just south
of Schuylkill Haven near Landingville. Below is a series of pictures and articles
related to that operation. Today the remnants of the yard can be seen if one looks
closely at the mountain from the Adamsdale road.

READING RAILROAD
STORAGE YARDS

PENNSYLVANIA
RAILROAD

Tragedy was no stranger on the Pennsy...

...check back for regular additions of
pictures and articles...

This picture, provided by Lewis Hoy, shows a river coal
dredging operation. This may be on the old canal between
Schuylkill Haven and Landingville.

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 three 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.

A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BLAZE
The Navigation Company’s Stables Burned

The possibility of the end of the canal is foreseen...

Pottsville Republican of September 22, 1887

THE "RAGING" CANAL

From all appearances, the days of the "raging canal" are almost at an end. Very few boats are being loaded at Schuylkill
Haven and there is hardly a day in the week that more than two boats pass down. The only up boat passing through the
locks below Schuylkill Haven yesterday was the "Bella McWilliams", of New York, a new boat just off the stocks of Adam's
boat yard at Landingville and built for the river trade. Should the canal be closed entirely it will be a terrible blow to
Landingville and Schuylkill Haven, the former of which depends entirely upon boat building. The boat yards of Adams
and Deibert at Landingville and Werner near Schuylkill Haven, have orders for boats for the river trade, which would
keep their men employed and busy until next summer, but the great fear is entertained that should the canal be kept
closed there will be no possibility of getting their boats to the Delaware River. Schuylkill Haven is already suffering from
the effects of the closing as it has thrown out of employment almost two thousand men, many of whom are from that
place and vicinity. The entire closing of the canal, we are assured, will hardly happen, as in all likelihood the Schuylkill
Navigation Company will take charge of affairs again in spring. We sympathize with our neighbors in the present state of
affairs and hope by the opening of the spring trade the canal business will again bloom as prosperous as in its palmiest
days.

BAUSMAN'S LOCK NUMBER 12

This series of six photographs is from the Library of Congress archives.
According to the record it shows the Bausman Lock Number 12 in Schuylkill
Haven. The photos were taken in 1968. They were probably taken before
the redevelopment plan was enacted.

The Call of March 5, 1892

THE OLD LANDINGS - At Schuylkill Haven No More the Scene of Activity

The old canal landings at Schuylkill Haven are rapidly going to decay and in a few years more there will be very little of it
to note, where at one time the canal boats were loaded with coal for market and everything was bustle and activity. The
dry docks on waterloo level, where boats were repaired and built can no longer be seen. The large building close to the
lock, which contained the offices of Superintendent T. C. Zulick, Paymaster Z. T. Galt, General Shipping Agent H. B. Zulick
and Collector W. A. Fields is now a private dwelling. The verdant lawn around the building where boatmen loitered in the
shade of the beautiful maples and talked of their many experiences on the raging canal, now presents a desolate and
deserted appearance. Below the canal docks the canal bed is entirely filled up with coal dirt washed there from the
mines by the freshets and where once boats floated without obstruction, you can now walk without wetting your feet and
so it is all the way to Port Clinton. Workmen are now employed between the latter place and Schuylkill Haven tearing out
parts of the locks to make the destruction more complete. At Port Clinton and as far as the city of Reading, the
Superintendent and Engineer of canals, E. F. Smith, is experiencing great trouble in keeping the channel open and that
part of the canal will also be abandoned in the near future on account of the coal dirt. The loading of boats is now done
at Port Clinton exclusively since the abandonment of shipping at Schuylkill Haven four years ago. The last few years the
canal trade has greatly decreased on account of the Philadelphia and Reading Company shipping their coal by rail and
individual operators find it much cheaper to send their coal to market by rail on account of the high tolls by canal.
Consequently what few boatmen still remain on the canal are becoming discouraged by the reduction of freight and the
increase of tolls, are selling out their interests for little or nothing and seeking other pursuits where they can make a
better living. Years ago the life of a boatman on the canal had generally always been a pleasant one with occasional
hardships. He was free and happy and always had a well filled purse and very seldom wanted for the necessaries of life.
He always lived well and saved enough during the boating season to keep he and his family comfortable during the
winter when ice made navigation impossible. Now everything is changed. The toot of the horn calling for the lock
tender to prepare the chamber for the boat's reception and the crack of the whip and yells of the driver at the slow
plodding mules are no longer heard. The canal itself has a sad and lonesome appearance and it is no wonder the eyes of
the old boatmen grow moist when they behold the deserted and grass growing ditch on which they spent so many happy
and prosperous days of their life.

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.

Long after the demise of the canal, remnants
abound reminding residents of what once was.....

The Call of November 21, 1928

UNCOVERING OF CANAL LOCK RECALLS BOATING

First a surprise, and now considerable additional and difficult work is being experienced by the contracting firm erecting
the First National bank Building at Schuylkill Haven. This because of the fact that the large and heavy stone walls, bed
and gates of the abandoned Schuylkill canal were discovered in the back yard of the plot of ground upon which the bank
building will be built. Excavation for the walls disclosed first unusual heavy and large sized stones and further
investigation revealed the situation. During the week, there was in plain view the old heavy timbered lock gates, the
planked floor of the lock itself as well as the heavy stone walls of the lock. As the news of the discovery went about
town, many people have been gathering at the site. The older people of the town recall the scene of many years gone by
when the house of the lock tender stood upon the walls of the lock now being uncovered. They can describe in detail
conditions of former years and many recall the boating scenes and the part they played din an industry gone from the
community forever.
The south wall of the lock has been exposed, and also the heavy upper gates, standing in the closed position in which
they have been since the last boat passed through, forty years ago. The upper part of the gates was chopped away many
years ago, but the lower part is still intact, and the heavy oak timbers seem as strong and solid as ever. The north wall of
the new building will stand inside the lock itself, the northeast corner coming right to the point where the two closed
section of the lock gates meet. This lock lies underneath the lots to the rear of the properties fronting on Main Street,
between Saint John Street and the railroad. After the abandonment of the canal in 1888 and the tearing out of the dam in
1895, the lock was gradually covered with dirt and refuse from time to time, to such an extent that the wall and gate now
uncovered lie from six to nine feet lower then the present elevation of Saint John Street at that point. As the result of
the contracting firm finding itself building in the lock of a canal, a considerable extra amount of work will be necessary
and the completion of the bank building itself will thus be delayed several months.

The Call of April 19, 1929

OLD CANAL BOAT UNCOVERED AT CONNOR

During the excavating for the relocation of the state road between Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville, an old canal boat was
unearthed near the Five Locks at Connor. The boat was in a fairly good state of preservation and there has been some
interest shown as to how this boat happened to be abandoned at this point. Mr. Mellon of Schuylkill Haven,
Superintendent of the Gas and Water Department, is in a good position to know all about it, for it was he, who, as captain
of the tug that plied on the Schuylkill River years ago, placed the boat in its position. It was captain Mellon's duty as
captain of the tug to gather up at the end of the season all boats on the canal that were condemned by the company and
to place them at different points along the river, where they were dismantled and torn apart. The particular boat in
question was named Alice Matilda. It was owned by Richard McCormick of Philadelphia. The boat was condemned by the
Reading Company. It was of 180 ton capacity. It was run into the position where it was found in 1882. The condemnation
of the boat was strenuously protested by the owner and rather then be involved in a lawsuit, the boat was not torn apart.
The finding of this particular boat, states Mr. Mellon, recalls the fact that three other abandoned boats can be found by
investigation hereabouts. One, the Alfred Leidy, was abandoned by the river where the Hurst Washery is now operated.
There is another boat nearby. The third boat condemned but never torn apart could be found in the old lock along the
Reading Shops.

The Call of April 26, 1929

NOT A CANAL BOAT THAT WAS FOUND

Recently it was stated that in excavating for the new road from Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville, there had been discovered
what was thought to have been an abandoned canal boat. Mr. H. C. Wilson, an eyewitness to the excavations, and who
made careful examination, has been kind enough to furnish the Call with a statement on the subject.
When the new road between Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville is completed, there will remain little trace not only of the
canal bed between Connor's Crossing and the dam above Seven Stars, but of the guard lock at the dam, and what was
known as the Five Locks. The Five Locks, also known as Warner's Locks and in old canal records as Waterloo Lock, was
a lock of the double chamber type, really two locks in one. It was slightly over two hundred feet long between the upper
and lower gates and the entrance at the lower end was one hundred feet north of the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge.
Boats entering it from the Spring Garden level were lifted fourteen feet in the lower compartment, and then floated
through the middle gates into the upper section, where they were raised another fourteen feet to the Waterloo level and
thence passed on toward Pottsville. The process of locking was, of course, reversed when boats came southward. In
order to drain the water from the upper chamber into the lower, four large sluices, situated directly under the middle
gates, were employed. The water was admitted to them by valves controlled by rods and chains leading to levers on top
of the lock wall. These sluices consisted of a framework of very heavy oak timbers, some more then a foot in thickness,
securely fastened together with heavy bolts.
In excavating for the new road, several weeks ago, this wooden construction, which had a thin covering of earth and
stones over it was brought to light. Though more than sixty years old, it was still in such good condition that it was
necessary to use a heavy road roller and chain to pull it apart. With it were also removed several of th large valves and
also the iron shoe, or pivot on which the easter middle lock gate turned, together with the corresponding swivel
attached to what remained of the gate. It was the tearing out of these timbers that gave rise to the mistaken impression
that they were fragments of a canal boat which was sunk nearly fifty years ago, but at a point one hundred and fifty feet
farther south, entirely outside of the lock itself, and in the same place in the canal bed in which the foundations were
built in 1897 for the trestle over which the trolley road ran for some years.
The Five Locks derived its name from the fact that the canal, before its enlargement in 1864, had a series of five locks,
much smaller in size, at the same location, to overcome the same elevation; and the name clung to the new lock until the
end of its existence. Although the canal was abandoned between Schuylkill Haven and Port Carbon in 1872, the Five
Locks was kept in operation until 1883 to pass lime boats to a kiln near Seven Stars. Later on, most of the woodwork
rotted away or was destroyed by fire, and in 1897 the lock walls themselves were torn down and taken away by the
railroad company.
During boating days a large house, known as the Waterloo house, stood between this lock and the turnpike; and at the
time the railroad company leased the canal, in 1897, E. T. Warner, a canal official, make his home here. The house was
regarded as quite a mansion, and beautiful flower gardens surrounded it. It was torn down when the Pennsylvania
railroad was built.
The Five Locks was one of six double-chamber locks in the canal above Reading. The other fiver are still in place. They
are the Blue Mountain locks, below Port Clinton; the Hamburg Five Locks, at the south end of the Hamburg level; those
at Mohrsville and Leesport, and the Peacock Locks, at the lower end of Duncan's canal, three or four miles below
Leesport. Only one of these is still in use, and that to a very limited extend-the Blue Mountain Locks, to pass boats and
scows used in dredging for coal.

The Pottsville Republican of August 29, 1912

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN NOW BOASTS OF GHOST

If the statement of a half dozen or more boys, whose ages run from fourteen to seventeen years, can be believed, there
is a ghost in Schuylkill Haven. On Monday night last these boys, about eight o’clock took a walk to what is known in that
town as “Quarley Point”, situated near the old boatyards. While they were walking along, the ghost suddenly confronted
them less then twenty yards ahead. Attired in white, it beckoned them to come nearer. With outstretched arms and a
small head it started to advance to greet the boys. However, they needed no invitation to run and the speed attained by
them, as they made their way up Canal Street, would have done justice to professional runners. All out of breath, they
hastened to their respective homes, where they told their story. The following night the boys with stones in their
pockets and armed with stout clubs, wanted to again visit that spot and look for His Lordship of the Night, but for some
reason or other they were unable to secure a leader. The ghost has been seen by residents of that section on several
occasions and many a child will not venture out at night without being accompanied by their parents. Inquiry among
some of the older residents of Schuylkill Haven elicited the information that years ago when the boat building business
of that town was in its prime, when the town was noted for its industry from one end of the state to the other, and when
the chief pursuit of the town was boat building, a man by the name of Jacob Smith, about thirty five or forty years of age,
was drowned just as a canal boat was being launched. The accident occurred about fifteen minutes before the
launching, and when the launching took place instead of gliding smoothly into the water of the Schuylkill Canal, went
over sideways and came near filling up with water. The body of Smith was never recovered. For days following the
accident, parties made search for the remains without avail. Superstition among the boatmen in those days was nearly
as great as it is in some localities today and the drowning of Smith, together with the accident to the launching of the
boat, caused many workmen to quit their jobs and leave for foreign fields of labor. It is now believed that after these
many years, nearly a quarter of a century, Smith has come back to haunt those whom people now believe were
responsible for his death. death.

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.

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 5, 1892

THE SCHUYLKILL CANAL

It is rumored that the Reading Company will reopen the Schuylkill Canal. We can see many advantages to be gained to
that company as well as to our borough by this. Although we have fully recovered from the stampede and stagnation that
were caused by the closing just five or six years ago, yet our town would greatly rejoice if this means of employment and
impetus to business were to return. There are scores of our laboring people who at the sound of the boatman’s horn
would be ready to throw down the pick and shovel, carpenter’s tools or whatever implements they may be using, to earn
a livelihood and push the rudder and draw in the line on the old Schuylkill Canal. The reason for this rumor is on account
of the immense coal traffic on this road and which is rendering passenger traffic difficult and dangerous. During the past
three or four years, this company has experienced two of the worst accidents that have taken place in its history. Both
of them were caused by the blocking of the tracks by coal trains. The immense coal traffic has caused the management
to increase the size and the number of trains on its road. By opening the canal, the trade on the railroad might be
materially relieved because hundreds and even thousands of tons of coal could be taken down by this means of
transportation every day. We most earnestly hope that the Reading Company will favorably consider this matter and
bring back our old time prosperity and save thousands of dollars for themselves.
themselves.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is
believed to have been taken in
Schuylkill Haven although exactly
where is not known.

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.

Back In Canal Days

*Notes in parentheses added by editor to help reader identify locations.

Several gathering places for senior citizens have been set up in Schuylkill Haven reminding older residents that a place
existed here for such persons almost three quarters of a century ago. The place was West Main Street below the
railroad. In summer time long seats were built under the tall willow trees along the old Schuylkill Canal and citizens
gathered there almost every day to chat and exchange views. Canal boats moved up and down the canal and almost
every day a dog fight enlivened the scene. The canal was fed by waters from the river which flowed through the guard
locks.
Part of the First National Bank (now the M and T Bank) building was built over the site of the locks. A dam was built to
control the flow of the water and the dam was the gathering spot for local folks on holidays when many people enjoyed
water sports. The depth of the water in the dam was controlled by a sluice built near the Reading Company shops near
the site of the Buechley Lumber Yards (located on the right after crossing the bridge onto the island). Some of the water
was allowed to flow into the dam and some through the river bed through the flats. A wooden bridge was built across
the river on the Broadway and back to the parent stream along the dam. A sluice across this branch near the Connelly
home made that a most satisfactory place for swimming. The water at that time was clear and clean but heavy rains would
bring high water. After unusually high water, boys who went to the old swimming hole found it filled with dirt and culm.
Oldtimers told of a canal boat going over the dam breast in high water. A popular spot for swimming was at the foot of
Saint Peter Street. Many folks were always on hand to watch the sport.
Those days there were fish in the river. The dam was a favored spot for boatmen to tie up. Brick and other building
material was brought to town on the boats. The brick for Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church (the church located at the
corner of Dock and River Streets), then being constructed, were brought in by boat. Near the spot now occupied by the
Atlantic Gas Station there was a dry dock and a small yard for light boat repairs. The boat building yard was situated
along the canal close to the Red Pond (located in the area behind the Casket Factory). When a boat was ready for
launching the word was passed about town and many folks trekked down the railroad to the yard to see the launching.
The larger riverboats caused a big tidal wave as the boat struck the water. The employees of the yard were mostly town
folks.
For a playground boys used the mule yard on Canal Street (Parkway) along side the canal. This made a fine baseball
diamond. There was also a blacksmith shop and several company buildings. Some years before, a number of mules
perished and a large stable was destroyed by fire. Senior boys played baseball games on the Island Park. A wooden
bridge crossed the canal at West Main Street and on it the mule teams and driver boys crossed as the tow path was on
the far side. Quite a number of young men of town owned row boats and a boat ride in the evening was popular. Boys
would get aboard and ride the new boats to the docks. The lowlands along the river at the base of the mountain were
known as the Eck (the area also known as the Dutch Flat, from Columbia Street toward the sewer plant). If a Reading
train blocked the Main Street crossing, drivers could turn toward the canal and travel under the railroad and get back to
Main Street at Binkley’s Hotel. The hotel was located below the railroad tracks across from Dohner’s Shoe Store (now
River Front Center location).

Schuylkill Canal Docks

I’d like to write a few lines about the docks which were at the head of the old Schuylkill Canal. The small first dock was
located along the side of the river and west of the site of the new and very much larger docks. A culvert between the
two kept the water at the same level. A large number of boats could be accommodated. The Reading shops and the
railway yards were west of the dock and on a higher level. Springs fed the new dock and water from the river on the
south. Workers in the shops built a bridge across the water at Coal Street. Later Boussum’s locks and the imposing
brick canal or navigation office stood on Coal Street. A creek flowed under the Maberry blacksmith shop and into the
canal.
I never saw the boats load but evidently the coal dumped from cars on the landing flowed through chutes and into the
canal boats permitting fairly quick work. The river joined the canal at the Broadway bridge. A flour mill stood on the site
of the old Berger factory fed by what is known as the Almshouse Creek. There was also a mill pond containing fish.
There was good fishing in the docks. One day when I was a small boy I caught a large sucker. When I took it home I
found it reached completely across the tub. I dropped fish I had caught into the old stone covered well at the store
property. We swam in the dock in water that was ten feet deep. Before we could swim we would lower ourselves into
the water from a raft, a dangerous proceeding. Skating was also good on the dock in winter.
winter.

In 1969, a compilation of reminiscences from E. Bright Pflueger, life long resident of Schuylkill
Haven, entitled “Bright Spots” was published. In the following articles Pflueger tells about
Schuylkill Haven and the canal in the 1890s.

The Call of January 23, 1892

HIS TROUBLES ARE OVER – Tommy Searles Finds a Home With Rich Relatives

The romantic history of little Tommy Searles, seven years old and first mate of the canal boat, wandering Boy, who was
found guarding his little sister and his baby brother, his father lying dead frozen at his feet, in the darkness and cold of
the cabin, while the old canal boat was tied up at Port Richmond wharves, closed on Monday with a bright sequel. Tommy’
s mother, who was lying at the point of death on a cot in the Philadelphia Hospital while her husband was lying frozen in
the old canal boat, has recovered her health. The baby brother, who was almost frozen, has regained his strength and
rich relatives have been found in Philadelphia who have signified their willingness to provide a future home for the
family.
It was an affecting scene in the rooms of the Children’s Society in Philadelphia, when the family was reunited after many
days of suffering. The relatives were there and extended their hospitality to the now joyous family. The mother was
happy, little Tommy took things philosophically but merrily, baby sister pranced around and officers of the society all
wore smiles. The publicity given the case by the newspapers was the direct means of discovering two cousins of Mrs.
Searles, both in excellent circumstances, who have volunteered a home for the family. Both cousins thought the mother
long dead and their joy at finding her living was only equaled by the happiness in being able to give the family a home.
This is the story told by Tommy Searles: “I was born on a canal boat at Schuylkill Haven, March 16, 1885. I’ve always lived
on a boat and I like it. I can steer the boat too. Last year I was at the wheel all the way from New Brunswick to Kingston
and I kept her straight too. I’ve been overboard three times. The first time I went overboard at Eddystone. That was dad’
s fault. He told me to go up on a ladder and I went up and the ladder and me went into the water. I got on the ladder and
didn’t go into the water. The next time was at Allison’s over on the Schuylkill. Dad let me drop over that time and I went
under the water. He came after me though and got me out. The last time I went over was up at Ann Street. That’s way up
in Richmond you know. The man at the bucket knocked me over that time and it was deep too. The man hollered man
overboard and he came after me and got me out again.”
“Who did the cooking on the boat since your mother went to the hospital?” “I did,” he answered proudly. “I cooked
flitch, fried potatoes, made the coffee and boiled eggs. I can eat a dozen boiled eggs all by myself without any help” and
he showed his little teeth and smiled as though he were proud of that fact. Asked if he could read he replied, “No sir.
Dad never sent me to school but I think he ought to have sent me long ago. I had a book once but it went down with the
old boat that was sunk. Then I began to save my pennies to get a new book. But whenever dad would get busted he
would come to me and say, “Tommy, ten cents” and then he would go and get whiskey. I never got my book.” “Do you
want to go to school?” “I’d like to know how to read and write but I’d like to have my own boat and run it. I think I could
pretty near run a boat myself,” and the boy put his hands on his hips and looked a full grown man as he made the last
remark.
The little sister was scarcely less communicative. While she stayed in the care of the society she so favorably impressed
visitors that the gifts she received were very numerous. One gentleman presented her with two complete outfits of
clothing. Tommy’s troubles have ended and as he believes, a good time is coming.

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 May 15, 1897

BENJAMIN KLINE DEAD – One of Our Oldest and Most Respected Citizens Passes Away

Benjamin Kline, aged eighty one years, died at his late residence on Dock Street on Monday. Mr. Kline was well known in
North Manheim Township, where he lived for many years, but for the past forty years was a resident of our town. He had
been a boatman on the Schuylkill Canal and had a narrow escape from being drowned with his wife and young family in
September 1850, when the freshet swept the Schuylkill River by the bursting of the Tumbling Run dams. The deceased
resided near the Seven Stars where the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks are located. He brought his loaded boat down and
tied up for the night near his home but he awoke in time to escape to the mountains in his bare feet with his family. His
house was turned over and his loaded boat was swept over the dam, one of his crew was drowned and the coal was
taken from the boat and shipped by rail to Philadelphia.
He had always been an industrious citizen. He was injured some time ago on the pike, for which he brought suit against
North Manheim Township and received a verdict for $1500. The case was more recently compromised for $750. He
leaves a large family of children to mourn his demise: Mrs. Jere Bast, Schuylkill Haven; Mrs. Carrie Helms, Pine Grove;
George Kline, engineer on the Buffalo train at Tamaqua; John, policeman at Manayunk; Pliny, operator at Elberon New
Jersey; H. H. Kline, chief bookkeeper for Hensyl Brothers, harness and hardware, Philadelphia; Benjamin on the
Pennsylvania Railroad at Princeton, New Jersey and Miss Louisa at home. His funeral took place from his residence on
Dock Street on Thursday afternoon. Services were conducted by reverend Moser of the Lutheran Church. Interment
took place at Union Cemetery. A large concourse of people attended to show their respects to the deceased.
deceased.

The obituary of an old canal boatman who survived the flood of 1850...

The Call of August 31, 1900

THEY WANT A PARK - Residents of Canal Street Will Undertake to Fill the Old Canal, Plant Trees and Create a
Pleasant Spot in Front of Their Premises

Great interest is manifested by our citizens and especially by residents of Canal Street, in the removal of the Columbia
Street bridge. As the leveling of the approaches to the bridge continues to show what vast improvement will result after
the work is finally completed, residents of the neighborhood evince a strong desire to have this important improvement
extended further and have decided to fill in the old canal bed between Columbia and Union Streets and to gradually
convert this unsightly, unhealthy spot into a pleasant little park. After the canal bed has been filled to the level of the
streets on each side, trees will be planted, walks, grass and flower plots laid out and comfortable seats erected. An
immense amount of labor and material will be required until the old canal bed is finally brought to the level with the
surrounding streets, but the originators of the movement are confident, if all the property owners whose premises front
on the old canal site will cheerfully contribute their share of labor, that the work can be accomplished in the course of
several seasons. The proposed filling of the canal bed and subsequent beautifying of the spot by the creation of a park
will not only greatly approve the appearance of that portion of Canal Street but will enhance the value of every property
along that thoroughfare. The citizens at the head of this important private enterprise will endeavor to enlist the
cooperation of every property owner along that portion of the canal and express the hope that work will be commenced
in the near future.

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

John B. Garrigan, a well known young man of town, was instantly killed early Sunday morning near Port Kennedy. He was
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
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.

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.

This impressive image shows, what was at the time, the new Philadelphia and 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
distance before they halted. No one was seriously injured but all received a severe shaking up. Michael Holton, the
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
amusement by the manner in which he told of his troubles. His voice was keyed up to concert pitch as he told how he
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
below the knee. The accident occurred at the Mine Hill crossing. Carr, who had only been at work on the road for three
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
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
north bound engine was in charge of Engineer John Heidenwag who escaped injury. The wreck crew got the tracks clear
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
Haven during the early part of the night on October 28,
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
grounds that the deceased was under the influence of
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
having been granted. The case is to recover $600 with
interest, a death claim alleged to be due the plaintiff for
the death of his son who was killed in the yard at
Schuylkill Haven by one of the engines of the defendant
company in 1893. The company claim that at the time of
the death of Binckley, he was intoxicated and that the
company was not to blame for his death or the Relief
Association responsible for damages. C. N. Brumm, G.
W. Gise and W. F. Shepherd represent the plaintiff and J.
F. Whalen the defendant. The evidence presented is
largely that given at former hearings. The jury returned
a verdict for the full amount of the claim, $600 with
interest making the total $887.33.
interest making the

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.

Tragedy was an all too common occurrence on the
Reading Railroad. Death and injury were commonplace.

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

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
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.
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 removed to the Pottsville Hospital. Conductor Quinn had his back injured but declined to go to the hospital. A
passenger 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
supposed the car got beyond control. When the car left the track, it ran down the embankment into the Schuylkill River.
Traffic on the Orwigsburg line was at a standstill for the balance of the day, owing principally to the fact that one of the
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.

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
Friday afternoon. Mr. Devan was at work neath a heavy wooden car which was supported by stilts. He happened to be
had better get from under the car, he paid no attention to the same and continued his work. Again he received a sort of
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
spiritual warning and urging to crawl from under the car. This time he heeded the warning although he could give no
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
cut about the neck. His body was taken to McHenry's undertaking establishment and later removed to Bergen's at
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 October 16, 1914

DROWNED MAN FOUND IN DOCK

The ghastly discovery of the dead body of a man floating in the Dock was made this morning by William Baussman who
happened to be driving a team on the road along side of the Dock. When first noticed the back part of the head was
visible but upon closer examination it was found to be the head of the body protruding. The news flew like wild fire and
a crowd quickly gathered. Coroner Dr. G. H. Moore was summoned and with the assistance of several bystanders drew
the body from its watery grave about 12:00 noon.
The body was that of a man between fifty five and sixty years of age. Height about five and one half feet. He was attired
in ordinary knock about clothing but without a coat. On his person was found an open facd watchand chain, a bunch of
keys, several coins to the amount of forty cents. The watch showed it had stopped at 12:15, there was no other means of
identification. The body was removed to the Almshouse shortly after the noon hour. A post mortem examination will be
held this afternoon and if the body bears any marks of the man having met with foul play, an inquest and further
investigation will be made. If in the estimation of the coroner, the man did not meet with foul play, and either committed
suicide or accidentally fell into the water and was drowned and the body is not claimed by friends or relatives within
several days, burial will be made in Potter's field of the Almshouse. It is difficult to make any estimate of the length of
time
the body had ben in the water. Outside of the arms and legs being shriveled and where it was exposed to the air being
somewhat blue and bloated, it is in a good state of preservation.
For the past several days persons passing the Dock have noticed the object but from all appearances it resembled a
block of wood or a dead dog and nothing more was thought of the matter. However the rain of the past night caused the
Dock to fill up and the body came nearer to the shore and the discovery was then made.

The Call of October 23, 1914

DROWNED MAN AN ALMSHOUSE INMATE

The man found in the Dock Friday proved to be Louis Krauschuf, an inmate of the County Home. The post mortem
examination was held at the county home Friday evening and the evidence submitted to the Corner's jury was sufficient
to convince the jurymen that death was caused by accidental drowning. The jury was composed of George Berkheiser,
Frank Sterner, Elmer Kline, W. H. Boussman, Abraham Huey and Charles Shappell. Krauschof was about seventy three
years of age. He was an inmate since December 1912. He was employed as helper to the carpenterand it was by means
of a bunch of keys found on the body and which fitted a closet in the carpenter shop that identification was made.
Krauschuf left the institution Saturday without permission. The authorities thought he went to visit relatives in Mahanoy
City as he often did so. The body was claimed by Mahanoy City relatives and the body shipped to them on Monday.

The Call reported the same tragedy in two issues

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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
Edward Eiler, conductor of a main line P and R freight, had a narrow escape from being ground to pieces by his own train
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
Saturday, with his week's work done, he started for the home of his uncle, Thomas martin, who lives north of Schuylkill
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.
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
front of the residence of George Rauch on Dock Street. Whether Mr. Dietrich sustained the injury by being hurled to the
An operation was performed Wednesday. At this writing his condition was very much improved and it is not thought the
bricked street or being struck by the flying pieces of trolley and auto truck has not been determined. The crash was
injuries will prove fatal. Oscar Bicht was the motorman on the trolley. the truck was in the center of the tracks and heard
for squares. The man was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken into the home of Mrs. Shirley. Several
whether the autoist was blinded by the headlight of the car or if he did not have time to get out of the road is not known.
physicians were summoned and upon their arrival administered to his injuries. He was taken to the Pottsville Hospital.
Several bystanders told "The Call" man both auto truck and trolley were going very slowly at the time. The front wheel,
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

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. Mrs.
Wildermuth, who clung to the lines, suffered from shock and body bruises. The wagon was little damaged.

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
hospital to have his injuries dressed. He is an employee of the company and was returning from work and was
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
on his person was missing, together with two rings. He remained conscious up until a short time before death but all the
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
in Reading when the fatal accident occurred. The
youngster seeing the train approaching, became
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
mangled below the knees and they were amputated at
the Pottsville Hospital, shortly after her arrival there.
she sustained several body bruises. Mrs. Sharp, who
was twenty six years of age, was the wife of Elmer
Sharp, a returned soldier of the war, who lost a leg in
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 images below are reproduced from the original documents at
the historical society of schuylkill county in pottsville. The first
is a landing lease for a lANDING AT A DOCK IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FROM
1850. tHE SECOND IS A LICENSE FOR A VESSEL ISSUED TO WILLIAM KANTNER OF
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN IN 1850. tHE THIRD IS AN ENROLLMENT FOR THE CANAL
BOAT "ATLANTIC" OWNED BY WILLIAM KANTNER OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.
CLICK ON EACH DOCUMENT TO READ THE CONTENT.

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. The picture
was taken in 1905.

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

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 Call of September 11, 1925

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY JUMPING FROM BRIDGE

A man giving his name as Hoke, from Minersville, made an unsuccessful attempt to end his life Wednesday 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
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.

The Pottsville Republican of December 29, 1891

Willoughby Searles, Captain of the good barge "Wandering Boy", hailing from the port of Schuylkill Haven, was found in
his cabin dead yesterday morning with his three little children keeping vigil over his corpse. His little seven year old boy
told the sad story of his death.
"Dad died yesterday", he said in answer to a question from Lieutenant Tuttle. "It was about eleven o'clock in the
morning. He had been sick for a few days with what you call the grip." "Had he been drinking?" "No, not since
Christmas. He was sitting on a bucket yesterday morning and fell off. His head hit the stove and made a hole in his jaw. I
guess it broke the jaw. It looked as though it did. He never spoke after he fell. I took hold of him and shook him but I
saw he was going. I saw the last breath leave his body. That was about five minutes after he fell. Then I knew he was
gone." "Why didn't you tell someone yesterday about your father's death?" "How could I?" asked Tommy, his eyes
opening wider then ever. "I couldn't get off and besides when I asked about going sister and baby cried. I did the best I
could", he added with the air of a man of mature age. "And did you look after your sister and baby ever since your father
died?" "Yes sir and I didn't get much sleep last night. The baby was cross and I had to be up nursing him all night."
"And you weren't afraid?" "No sir. There wasn't anything to be afraid of."
Tommy said his father was fifty six years old and that his home was in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
He said his mother's name was Margaret Searles and that she was in the Philadelphia Hospital. She had been taken sick
about three weeks ago and he had not seen her since. Tommy and his sister, who is a year younger then he, were
tunred over to Agents Watson and Ward of the Society to Protect Children from Cruelty, who took them to the Society's
temporary home. They were seen there last evening by a reporter. When the artist was making a sketch of Tommy and
his sister he said to Tommy, "If you get tired you can rest." "Oh I can stand it out without getting tired," replied the boy
cheerily and he did.

DEAD IN THE CABIN!

An Old Schuylkill Haven Boat Captain's Fate

THREE CHILDREN KEEPING VIGIL !

The Call of July 7, 1926

NO RESULT FROM DYNAMITING DOCK

Up to this time no results have followed the dynamiting of the old dock at this place in the hope that if a human body had
been placed therein, it or portions of it would rise to the surface of the water. There seems to be a firm conviction that
the remains of a human being have been weighted down and placed in this particular pool of water. This because of the
foot and the portion of the leg that came to the surface recently. The dock was dynamited last Saturday. The matter is
under investigation by the District Attorney's office. What the next move in the investigation will be has not been
determined upon.

The Call of April 27, 1928

RELICS FROM THE OLD CANAL BOATS

Howard Heister,of Heister's Boatyard, reading, while working around his boatyard, entered one of the old abandoned
Schuylkill Canal boats (of which there are quite a number) and reaching up along one of the shelves found a notebook
containing among other records, a note of a shipment of 70,000 feet of oak lumber dated 1874 shipped from Muncy,
Pennsylvania, on the Union Canal, detoured at Reading via the Schuylkill Canal consigned to C. A. Meck at Schuylkill
haven. The toll on this shipment was three dollars per thousand feet. Also an unsigned note addressed to T. C. Zulick,
Schuylkill Haven, requesting if convenient an advance of five dollars toward an expense account. There were a number
of envelopes in this record book addressed to a Mr. Yalt, toll collector at Schuylkill Haven.

The Call of September 21, 1928

CUT OFF IS FINALLY BEING FILLED UP

The Reading Company is at work filling up the old canal bed between Broadway and the edge of the Schuylkill River. This
section has been known as part of the "cut off" and it has long been a bone of contention in the side of some of the town
councilmen. Several years ago during high water, a section of the old dam breast at this point as well as portions of the
embankment were washed out by the high water in the river. This also permitted the water to rush through the old canal
bed and tear away a section of Broadway. The street was soon filled in but there remained a sump between the street
and the water's edge where water collected and became a menace to health. Cinders and heavy rocks are now being
used to fill up this hole and it is hoped the company will continue until the job is finished.

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
one hundred yards, which are always full of freight cars coming in the night , freight for this place and the Mine Hill Road.
This makes it a most difficult place to watch because the valuable contents of these cars are a tempting bait for the
burglars and housebreakers. A careful and wide awake servant can perform the arduous duties. Such a person the
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
and claims to hail from Philadelphia. He acknowledges breaking into the watchbox but denies having anything to do with
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
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.

Here is another view of the Lehigh Valley trestle as it was being built.

Pottsville Republican of October 26, 1886

HE WASN'T IN THE CANAL

On Saturday last, a captain of a canal boat laying at Schuylkill Haven, employed a man to assist him in navigating the
raging canal. They went to bed on Saturday night, the captain complaining of feeling ill and placing a hot plate on his
stomach for relief. The new man fell asleep and did not wake until morning, when to his great surprise his bedfellow was
gone. His clothes lay where they had been placed the night previous and thinking something was wrong, he
commenced a search but failed to find the object of his search. An alarm was given and the neighborhood was soon
aroused and Sunday morning was spent in dragging the canal for the supposed dead body. That their work was in vain
the sequel will show. The missing man got up during the night, put on his Sunday clothes (about which the new man
knew nothing) and boarded a train for Reading and while the search for him was still being made he appeared to the
searchers in person and thus relived their anxiety as well as demonstrating to them that he was better than a whole
regiment of drowned men.

Pottsville Republican of May 10, 1886

SCHUYLKILL CANAL

The lessees of the Schuylkill canal have two new boats on the stocks at Schuylkill Haven, besides they have several
building in private yards. The boatmen very justly complain of the manner in which they are treated. It seems there is an
abundance of orders on hand, but for some reason, that is not very obscure, the orders remain unfilled. Surely it can not
be that coal is scarce. These men during the boating season are exiled from home and friends, exposed to wind and
weather and all sorts of hardship. If they had steady work it would be possible for them to get along but as it is they are
always in the power of the storekeeper. On account of their nomadic life they are alienated from the sympathies of their
direct employers, who even if they had the disposition, are without the power to apply the remedy for their ills. The
boatmen On the Schuylkill Canal are nearly all men of family, moral and industrious, men who have a reputation for skill in
their calling, and who are in demand on other canals. These men deserve better treatment than they are receiving.

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.

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.

This early photograph shows an engine in the rail yard near
the Mine Hill crossing in Schuylkill Haven.

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
internal injuries. He is an old and respected citizen of the town.shops, this morning met with a painful accident, the
result of which can not be foretold. He was caught between two cars

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
he, in the 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
idea struck one of the party. He said the Schuylkill Haven man would telegraph ahead and have Policeman Davy Jenkins
at Palo Alto to arrest them as they alighted. What a disgrace that would be. Should they submit to it? No, by the Gods of
Heathen Mythology, they should not. They would jump, cost what it may and jump they did. Two alighted in safety. The
third, he who came near greasing the rails at Schuylkill Haven, 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
Engineer Christman then interfered when Prosser savagely attacked him and so furiously that the engineer says he was
train reached Auburn. Then Prosser telegraphed ahead that he had been assaulted and demanded an arrest. Prosser, it
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.

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 March 11, 1887

CLOSING THE SCHUYLKILL CANAL

By order of the general manager, upon the opening of all navigation all transportation line boats will be withdrawn from
the Schuylkill Canal and no more shipments will be made from the Schuylkill Haven landing. Shipments will however be
made in leased and individual boats from Port Clinton to points along the line of the canal. This means the abandonment
of the canal above the latter point and the abolition of offices and officials at Schuylkill Haven, to which town this is a
withering blow that will be regretted by everyone above Port Clinton. This order effects directly several hundred men,
numbering with their families, perhaps eight hundred in all, who were directly dependent upon the canal business for a
livelihood, to say nothing of the loss of their patronage to the other business interests of the town. Many of these
people will no doubt move down to the new shipping point and continue their old occupations. The cause of the
abandonment of Schuylkill Haven landing is said to be on account of the great expense and trouble of keeping this
portion of the canal open and in repair owing to the constant filling up with coal dirt. We sincerely sympathize with our
neighboring borough and with the men who must of necessity be great sufferers by this unexpected action on the part
of the management of the Navigation Company.

Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1887

ABANDONMENT OF THE CANAL - Complications Likely to Arise Between Reading and Schuylkill Navigation

The abandonment of the Schuylkill Canal originally announced in the Republican last Friday, according to Philadelphia
reports is likely to precipitate a suit by the Schuylkill Navigation Company for foreclosure of the railroad under the
consolidated mortgage. The Reading Company now owes the the Navigation Company about $800,000 for rental and the
relations between the two companies are very complicated. The arrangements for some time pending to adjust the
difficulty have failed.
An officer of Schuylkill Navigation said yesterday: "We will now force foreclosure, not under the general mortgage, but
under the consolidated mortgage, and it will not be an amicable foreclosure either. For months the railroad company
and the Reconstruction Trustees have been endeavoring to induce the navigation company to accept an exchange of its
securities for those of the reorganized railroad company. This would be a merger of the two properties and would settle
the question of the lease for all time. Lately the company's securities have been depressed in the market and this latest
action is calculated to further that purpose. The Reading Company refused to pay part of the rental for last year on the
ground that it wasn't earned, and now they propose to deprive us of all earning capacity. In other words they now refuse
to make earnings for the company".
"We abandon the canal," said General Manager McLeod of the Reading, "as a plain business proposition. It was a
burden to us because we could ship coal more cheaply by rail. We find it advisable to send all our coal by rail, abandon
the canal altogether, and if it is necessary to pay the canal rental then to do it. We propose to use the most economic
double handling of coal at connections would cost more than a continuous but more roundabout shipment."
On Saturday, Superintendent Smith, of the Schuylkill Canal, issued notices of dismissal to all the employees except the
division foremen, day locktenders and main office attaches. The canal will be kept open nominally for several weeks yet.
As soon as the business is settled up, the Superintendent's office will be abolished and the clerks discharged. It will be
impossible even for individual boats to run and the great waterway will shortly be relegated to an unsightly ditch.

Pottsville Republican of March 22, 1887

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN REJOICING

It is with great pleasure that the Republican is able to announce the reopening of the Schuylkill Navigation Company's
canal. Paymaster Galt, of Pottsville, Friday received orders to run the canal as usual, the reason assigned being that as
long as the pending suit remained in the Supreme Court, the Reading Company would be obliged to continue running
the canal. This is good news, not only for Schuylkill Haven, but for the lower end of the county, and the Republican
heartily congratulates all who are thereby effected on their better propspects. There are many who would prefer that the
old Navigation Company should assume control and run it again on the old time scale. They predict that should this
occur boating would receive a new lease on life and the boatmen would once again be able to live on what they made
during the season and gradually aquire a little property against the time of old age. Let us hope that the good time may
come, but in the mean time let us make the best of what we have. The scare of the last few days may be productive of
great good, if it teaches us not to depend on one branch of business for our living.
In the gloom that followed the announcement that 800 men in the immediate vicinity of Schuylkill Haven had been thrown
out of employment, there was still one ray of light. Two weeks ago as the evening shadows fell there gathered in that
town, a band of men upon whose sad and anxious faces was reflected the "touch of sorrow" which had made their world
akin. All conditions of men were represented and a committee was formed to try to raise funds and submit plans for
some business enterprises. This project should not be dropped; let not the clearing horizon and prospect of better days
deter any from joining in the plans for the future. Had public spirited citizens existed, men who had the capital, and had
they started some industry years ago the mandate of one man could not have produced such terrible fear and dread.
Shall we be stronger next year, or the year after, will we be in a better condition to attempt a founding of business
enterprises after our people have lived for a few years off of their capital, and the money that should have been at work
earning something has itself been spent for the necessities of life. We believe not, what then should be our course?
The smith well knows how useless it is to try to fashion iron when the heat is gone. What should you think of a farmer
who put his whole farm out with but one kind of product? How are we any better? We depend on a railroad and when
that fails we fret and moan while the iron cools and our savings of many years pass like the birds of summer at the first
autumnal frost, rapidly away to other localities. We are glad that the canal is to be reopened but we do not want our
people to forget that it may be but a transient benefit and we would caution all against dependency too much on its
permanency.
Now is the time to prepare for the future. Now when you have work do it and try to decide on what can be done for the
benefit of your locality, so that should a similar crisis occur you can be provided for. Look at it in a selfish way of you
must. It is far better to provide a way for people to gain an honest living than have to support them even for a short time
in idleness. The drain on storekeepers this winter has been enormous and had the edict of the past week not been
repealed, many would have been unable to recover and must have gone under. Let us hope that resumption may last
long enough to enable all to recover and again stand even, or better still, that its old accounts may be closed and each
have a handsome balance on the credit side. Then with new industries added to the old we may expect to keep our
people at home.

These three articles appeared in quick succession in 1887, detailing the fight with the
Reading Railroad over the future of the canal. The last is rather eloquent and prophetic.

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

Harry Moyer of Reading, one of the most genial of the P. & R. main line passenger conductors, met with a thrillig
experience 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 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
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,
estimated by some of the native employees to weigh about five tons, became detached from the almost perpendicular
wall above the men; and falling, struck one of the laborers on the back, knocking him against the rocks. The stone fell ran
to his assistance and attempted to release him but finding their united efforts totally unavailing, they secured assistance
and succeeded in liberating him. He was removed to the shanty situated near the southern end of the cut and 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" 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.

This detailed map of the Schuylkill Navigation Company lands is from May of 1891. Starting at the left you can
see its beginnings in the Tumbling Run area, moving into Schuylkill Haven in the middle and then traveling to
Berks County on the right. It shows the location of locks, mule bridges and towpaths. The bold face numbers
are the locks and the circled numbers appear to be canal company property. This is an excellent source for
Schuylkill Canal researchers.
THANKS TO JOHN BAMBRICK FOR PROVIDING THE MAP

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. 7/21

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.

AN OLD LANDMARK BURNED

At about eleven o'clock last night the extensive frame structure situated on the old Schuylkill Navigation landing grounds
in the West Ward of Schuylkill Haven was entirely destroyed by fire. For many years it was used by that company as a
repair shop and was one of the relics of the old Navigation days. Since it was abandoned by that company it has been
utilized by the Reading Company for various purposes. The loss is nominal. The inflammable nature and large proportions
of the building made the flames visible for many miles around. 8/15

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.