RAILROADS
This page containS information and pictures on the railroads
that served and were so important to the town of Schuylkill
Haven.  The railroads were economically influential from the
late nineteenth century until their collective demise by the
1970s.  The trolley system will also be featured.  
A Reading freight train at the Union Street crossing
in 1957.  Note the signal tower at the right.
A view of the Reading Freight Station in 1958.
A Reading steam engine passes through the
Schuylkill Haven-Cressona yard in 1951.  Note
the shops in the background.
The "J" office in the Schuylkill Haven yards in
the 1950s.
This engine was receiving service in the shops at
Schuylkill Haven in 1926.  The engine is now part of
the collection of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
Reading diesels pull into Schuylkill Haven at the
Williams Street crossing in 1960.
A diesel pulling cars through the Schuylkill Haven
yards in 1953.
An early image at the
Mine Hill Crossing.
All color photos above were reproduced through the
kindness of the late Bruce Kantner of Cressona.
LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 8
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.
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.
A very detailed picture of the Reading Car Shops from 1925 just added
along with two 1925 detailed views of the Reading Railroad coal storage
yards.
New Depression era stories on the Reading added including:
Nick Bojack killed at the Mine Hill Crossing..where his father was killed
twenty years earlier, section gang escapes disaster, town girl killed by
the Flyer and a derailment in the yard.
From the Pennsylvania Railroad:
Pottsville Republican of June 22, 1888

Fatal Collision on the Pennsy

A terrible and fatal collision occurred on the P. S. V. Railroad directly in front of the Schuylkill Haven freight depot this morning at
three o'clock.  It appears that freight train number 674 bound for Philadelphia, Lew Seiders engineer, had orders to take the siding
there and allow an empty coal train for Pottsville to pass.  It was necessary to unload two consignments of freight at the depot and
this was done.  The engineer was at work under the engine and one of the brakemen had run for the switch when the coal train was
heard coming around the sharp curve at Spring Garden.  It is presumed that a brakeman had been sent to guard the track, but this will
be brought out positively at the coroner's inquest.  The fireman called for the engineer to get from under as he did not think the
approaching train could be stopped.  He did so and after blowing down brakes to warn the trainmen running to destruction the men
took refuge behind the freight depot.
Some of the people living nearby assert that the train was going thirty miles an hour when it rounded the bend, at any rate the
engineer, fireman and the passenger stuck to it, not having time to alight, or from a sense of duty.  The crash was terrible, two
locomotives locked in deadly embrace and then as if tired of the battle rebounded at least fifty feet , the empty coal cars coming over
the top of the coal engine and blocking up the space between the two iron monsters.  The awful crash over the groans of the
wounded resounded in the early morning air, and the work of rescuing them from the ruins was begun.
John D. Smith, the engineer, twenty five years, was killed.  It was 6:30 o'clock this morning before his remains were taken from
beneath the fourteen trucks piled on them, his left leg was broken, his right eye gashed, his feet scalded, but death was probably
caused by a heavy squeeze of the breast; he leaves a widow and children who reside on South Street in Philadelphia.  Deceased was
engineer of the "Dinkey" here for four months when the Pennsy first opened.  He boarded at Mrs. Van Horn's South Coal Street, and
was universally liked.  He belonged to Pottsville Council, Number 17, Order of Chosen Friends, in which his life was insured for $2000,
and also to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, who will give $1500 to his heirs.  Deceased was tall, of fine physique, dark
complexion and dark mustache.  Mr. Smith was a favorite with everyone who knew him and his death causes much sorrow.
On the engine was Frank Hirshey, a young man about 28 years old, an ornamental painter, whose home was in Philadelphia.  He was a
friend of Smith's and rode up on the engine in order to see the county.  Being sickly, his intention was to spend six weeks in Pottsville
for the benefit of his health.  Arrangements had been made for his reception at Mrs. Van Horn's.  He lived but a short time.  His lower
limbs were broken in several places.
Charles H. McHenry, or Ettinger, the fireman, was badly scalded from the feet up to his armpits.  He was taken to the County
Almshouse, as better facilities for treatment were afforded there.  Dr. James Carpenter was down this morning and has hopes for his
recovery.  He was a hostler at the Mount Carbon station and boarded at Mrs. Frank Gibbons at the Mansion House.  This was his first
trip.  He is a young man, probably twenty three years of age and has lots of friends who hope for his entire recovery.
William Martin and George Kirk, both of town were brakemen on the ill fated train and sustained severe bruises.  Deputy Coroner Dr.
Palm empaneled a jury and is investigating the accident.
Undertaker Robert Waldron went to Schuylkill Haven this morning early and brought both bodies to his Railroad Street establishment,
from whence they were shipped this afternoon to Philadelphia.
The wreck was not cleared away until noon, and not a main line coal, freight or passenger train arrived or left Pottsville since last
night.  Both engines were complete wrecks and at least fifteen coal and freight cars were piled about promiscuously.  The coroner's
jury will endeavor to put the blame where it belongs.  It is best therefore to withhold judgement until they speak.
A later report regarding McHenry as beyond doubt.  His home is in Reading and he will be ready to move there tomorrow.  When found
he was pinned to the ground by a car truck which rested upon his breast.  It is stated that he was not scalded as severely as first
reported.  The testimony of both crews was taken by jury.  William Bossler was conductor of the freight train.  It appears from the
evidence that the freight train was ordered to enter the siding then and allow the other train to pass.  The coal train had orders to
"meet and pass" the local there.
William Martin, Joseph Martin hostler for C. M. Atkins who was front brakeman on the train gave very intelligent evidence before the
jury.  He was sitting on the left or foreman's side of the engine.  Engineer Smith was standing and Hirshey, the passenger, was sitting
to the rear of Smith on the same side.  The fireman was standing on the tender with a hook in his hand puddling the fire.  As they
rounded the curve Martin saw the headlight of the other engine and looking over to Smith saw him make an effort to reverse which
apparently failed as the reverse lever again flew ahead and the locomotive made a fresh spurt just as it struck the freight engine.  
Martin saw no more of the engineer after that.  He felt the cab go to pieces about him and he went over the left side of the engine
with it.  One of the fragments struck him on the bridge of the nose breaking a small bone.  He lit on his feet and ran just in time to
escape the piling cars which landed exactly where he did.  He helped to recover the bodies and afterwards reported his injury to Dr.
Dechert who attended to it.  He was about town today receiving the congratulations of friends on his narrow escape.
The testimony of the freight crew show that it was the fireman who ran ahead to turn the switch and also that no one had been sent
ahead to  flag approaching trains.  The men except the rear brakeman were hard at work unloading material.  The tracks were cleared
at one o'clock.
This photo taken on November 9, 1912 shows work being done on the trolley tracks
in Schuylkill Haven on Willow Street.
When one thinks of railroads in Schuylkill Haven, the Reading
Railroad is most prominent.  Officially called the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad, it had a passenger station, freight station, yards
and shops located in town.  Below are some images of its presence.
The two pictures above show the car shops located in the
northern area of town.  Below are two images of the rail yards
located along the edge of the Island area.
Two views above show the passenger , current home of Borough
Hall while the picture below shows the previous station on that spot.
Two bridges of the Reading Railroad in town were the stone arch bridge
near Main Street and the Red Bridge behind the Liberty Street area.
Pottsville Republican of February 24, 1923   

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

Clyde Mars, aged 17, of Pine Grove, was killed and Roy Shollenberger, Pine Grove mail carrier, and Curtis Moyer, driver of the Pine
Grove bus, were injured and burned shortly after ten o'clock Friday night when a fast freight train struck the Pine Grove bus at the
intersection of the railroad and Union Street, Schuylkill Haven.  The crossing watchman at this crossing of the P and R is off duty after
seven o'clock and there is a slight hill leading to the railroad.  It is necessary for autoists to get up speed to make the grade and there
is no view of the railroad until the tracks have practically been reached.  Schuylkill Haven residents have been trying to have this
crossing better protected for several years as a number of accidents have happened at this point.
Moyer, the driver of the bus, says that he did not see the freight approaching, as his view of the racks was obscured until he was
right in the middle of them.  He says that he knew nothing until the train hit him and then the gas tank exploded.  He received a bad
cut over the left eye and body bruises and was taken to the office of Dr. Lenker where his injuries were dressed and then removed to
his home in Pine Grove.  He is a son of Edward Moyer, of Pine Grove, who has been making his home with Mrs. Daniel Phillips, of
Schuylkill Haven, a sister, for several months.
The fact that Moyer turned the bus to one side saved him from death as the engine pushed it aside instead of it being thrown
underneath, in which case it would have been ground to pieces before the engineer was able to stop.
The engine struck the bus almost squarely in the center and the car, a Dodge equipped to carry fourteen passengers, was hurled
against the side of a loaded freight car near the crossing.  Moyer and Shollenberger were thrown clear of the wreckage by the impact
but they were caught by the flames which burst from the machine as the gasoline tank blew up.
The blaze spread to the freight car which was loaded with autos and it was necessary to call out the fire department to prevent the
flames from spreading to the depot and starting a conflagration.  The freight train consignment of autos for Harrison Berger, Schuylkill
Haven, and the cars were badly damaged by the fire in the freight car.  The exact amount of damage to the freight is not yet known.
James Knarr, a railroader of Schuylkill Haven, who was standing on the corner waiting to catch a train, said the accident happened so
quickly that it was all over before he knew what had occurred.  Charles Guertler, the engineer, said that the first he knew of the auto
was when he saw a light flash.  He immediately applied the brakes, but felt the engine strike the bus a minute later.  He got off his
train and went to see what had happened and found Moyer, the driver, on the engine.  He and his crew helped him down, but were
unable to get any information from him as to whether there were others on the bus.
They went to search and could find only Shollenberger, who was removed to the home of George Schaeffer for treatment.  
Shollenberger was burned about the face and neck and also sustained injury to his leg.  He was taken to the Pottsville Hospital for
treatment while Moyer who was not so badly injured was removed to his home in Pine Grove.
The presence of a third man on the bus was learned after they had been taken away and a search was started for him.  As soon as the
fire department had extinguished the flames an examination of the car was started and Mars' body was found underneath.  He was
found under the right mudguard of the blazing bus.  He had evidently been eating an apple when the accident occurred as the apple
was tightly clutched in one hand.  One leg and an arm were practically burned off and he was horribly burned about the body.  He was
taken first into the P and R depot and then removed to Bittle's undertaking establishment.
Dr. Santee gave out the crew of the train as Charles Guertler, engineman, Francis Heffner, fireman, George Kanes, conductor, John
Mease, brakeman and Frank Benseman, flagman.  James Cantwell of Pottsville, proprietor of the bus line put on another bus on
Saturday morning and is maintaining his schedule.  The bus which was struck was a wreck.
Word was received from Pine Grove shortly after midnight that Mars, a seventeen year old orphan who was living with W. H. Daubert,
his guardian appointed at the death of his parents, went along with Moyer for a ride.  He had asked Mr. Daubert if he could go along
with Moyer on the bus but Mr. Daubert refused to let him go, but when he went out, he met Shollenberger who was of his own age
and the two went off with the driver, thinking they would be back shortly.  He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Charles Sweigert, of
Pine Grove, and Mrs. Argall Sweigert of Cressona.
Pottsville Republican of January 7, 1915

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN CUT IN TWAIN

Failure to put a blue signal on the track in front or behind the car on which he was working as required by law, Francis Emerick of
Schuylkill Haven, aged forty five years, was cut in twain at the Pennsylvania railroad yards in Mount Carbon on Sunday morning shortly
before nine o'clock.  He died in five minutes.  Emerick was behind the car and the shifting engine threw two cars against the car
under which Emerick was working and he was pinned beneath the front wheels which went over him.  Working with him was Charles
Dress, also of Schuylkill Haven, and Dress went away for a simplex tube and while he was gone the accident occurred.  The car under
which Emerick met his death was shopped for having a defective lock pin.  Emerick, a car inspector and general handy man,
considered one of the most valuable men at the yard, noticed the marks of defects and started to work in repairing the car.  Emerick
is a widower and has two married sons, one living in Schuylkill Haven and the other in Tamaqua.  Yardmaster C. R. Hughes conducted
an investigation and the coroner will hold an inquest within a few days.
Pottsville Republican of May 30, 1899

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SHOPS FINISHED

The Schuylkill Haven Philadelphia and Reading car shops were finished on Monday and turned over to the company.  The tracks are
now being ballasted by Supervisor J. E. Turk.  The shops are located on the old Schuylkill Navigation landing, which allows plenty of
room for repairs and new work.  Three thousand cars are to be equipped with air as soon as the shops are underway, which in itself is
considerable of a job.  It is expected that work will commence here in a couple of weeks.  David Runkle will be the foreman.  He holds
the same position now at the old shops.
Pottsville Republican of July 3, 1899

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

The citizens of Schuylkill Haven and Cressona and their vicinities have additional cause to celebrate at the anniversary of our nation.  
The new P & R shops recently erected were formally dedicated this afternoon at three o'clock.  One of the exercises upon that
occasion was the unfurling of Old Glory to the breeze above the buildings.  Speeches were made by C. E. Berger, Dr. Daniel Dechert,
Dr. Charles Lenker, A. A. Hesser, superintendent of the Mine Hill Division of the Reading and Isaac Paxson, another official of that
company.  The Schuylkill Haven band was present to render music appropriate to the occasion.  The many patriotic sentiments
expressed by the speakers and the patriotic strains of the band were vociferously applauded.  But when the folds of the emblem of
the free were unfurled and its beautiful colors, which signify so much, were displayed, the cheers of the assembled throng filled the
air.  The exercises were given under the auspices of the employees of the Reading headed by David Runkle and C. V. B. Deibert,
foremen.  Prominent officials of the company were present to witness the ceremonies.  Refreshments were subsequently served.  
This shop is a structure covering an area 400 by 30 feet.  It is of frame and is two stories high.  Work was begun on the excavations
early last spring and the work of erection was rapidly pushed to a completion.  Here repairs will be made to cars and engines in the
future.  The shops will give employment to hundreds of men in their several departments.  It is located at a point near the Mine Hill
crossing and runs parallel with the main line.  Everything is now completed and its early operation is expected.
Pottsville Republican of May 1, 1899

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

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

The unfortunate man was run over by the local freight that leaves Mount Carbon yards at 2:50 but she was over a half hour late.  A
portion of the remains were carried on the track from the Seven Stars to the Lehigh Bridge.  A letter was found in the pocket
addressed "Dear Father", and signed, Nerva Sietz, 1014 Washington Street, Shamokin.  The deceased had stiff gray hair, small eyes
and small features.  Deputy Coroner L. W. Brown, of Cressona, empanelled a jury, reviewed the body and ordered the remains sent to
the almshouse, where the inquest was finished this afternoon.  Yardmaster Deissinger sent a message to Shamokin asking for
information.
Pottsville Republican of July 11, 1895

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

Daniel Dailey, aged sixty years, was instantly killed, Frank Schwartz, aged sixty, had two legs crushed and George Berger, aged forty
five years, had one leg mangled by an accident at the P & R railroad shops, Schuylkill Haven this afternoon at three o'clock.  They
were putting in a draw dead when a draft of cars, being pushed on another track, jumped the track, striking  the car upon which the
men were working, with the above result.
Pottsville Republican of December 1, 1919

KILLED AT LANDINGVILLE STORAGE YARDS

Adam Burkert, a highly esteemed and well known resident of Schuylkill Haven, was instantly killed this morning at the Landingville
storage yards of the P and R Company.  How the accident occurred is not definitely known, but it is thought that Mr. Burkert attempted
to board a draft of moving cars, fell under the wheels and was crushed to death.  He was foreman at the yards and his lifeless body
was found by other workmen.
Mr. Burkert was respected by all who knew him.  He was a consistent member of Grace U. E. Church, having been treasurer of both
the church and Sunday school.  He lived on Saint John Street and was sixty five years of age.  He had three sons and one grandson,
in the recent war, one son Isaac, having been killed in France.  His wife died a number of years ago.  He is survived by the following
children: Mrs. Frank Batdorf, Reading, Mrs. George Downs, Philadelphia, Mrs. Harry Becker, Mrs. Ralph Jacoby, Charles, Harry,
Frederick, Warren and Miss Eva, all of Schuylkill Haven.  He had been in the employ of the P & R Company for many years.
Pottsville Republican of May 7, 1919

BOY KILLED IN COSTLY WRECK AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

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

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 cheerful and likeable disposition made
him a favorite with the patrons.  About ten weeks ago he applied for a position on the railroad and was
told if he underwent a slight surgical 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 29, 1921

GIRL, RUN OVER BY TRAIN, GETS UP RUNS AWAY

A little girl from Berne Street, Schuylkill Haven, daughter of W. Webber, crossed the P and R tracks after a coal train had passed
stepping directly in front of the Mine Hill passenger train.  She was knocked down and the engine and two cars passed over her.  A
number of men, who were loitering at the P and R depot, and who had turned their eyes away from the sight, then hurried to pick her
up and to their amazement the child jumped up and ran away unhurt.  At the time her name could not even be gotten as she sped
across the bridge toward her home.  Railroad men say her escape was miraculous.
miraculous.                                                                                                                                                                              
Pottsville Republican of September 12, 1925

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

A man giving his name as J. Hoke from Minersville, sustained a broken hip and broken cheek bone and a number of minor injuries
when he jumped or fell from the high Lehigh Railway Embankment at the Garfield Avenue arch at Schuylkill Haven.  He rolled down the
embankment and off the arch, dropping twenty five feet to the street.  He had been to the Almshouse to gain admission, having no
home, but did not have the necessary commitment papers and so was refused admission.  He then walked in on the railroad to
Schuylkill Haven.  He seemed greatly discouraged and wished to die.                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Pottsville Republican of April 23, 1915

TROLLEY AND AUTO COLLIDE

On Thursday evening, the nine o'clock car leaving Schuylkill Haven, in charge of Motorman Thomas McGovern and was damaged and
the handles torn off of the car so that another car was secured when Pottsville was reached.  The auto which was also badly damaged
but not enough to stop or injure the engine, was kept straight on its path.  The conductor could not get a glimpse of the number as
the driver started out again as his auto slid away from the car after striking it.  The accident delayed this car almost half an hour.                        
               
Pottsville Republican of April 15, 1938

FIND THREE TOTS ON ENGINE PILOT

Just after the P and R shuttle passenger train which plies between Pottsville and Port Clinton, pulled out of Schuylkill Haven early last
evening, it was discovered that three children ranging in age from two to four years of age were on the pilot of the engine.  It was the
train Number 96 due here at 7:09.  The children clambered to their dangerous perch just before the train left the Union Street
crossing.  The engineer saw them in time and brought the train to a standstill.  The youngsters scampered away.  Their identity was
not learned.  The train was in charge of Conductor George M. Stephenson and Engineer George Steck of this city.                                                         
                                               
The Call of April 15, 1927

HAVEN YOUTH BADLY HURT

When his head was caught between the flywheel and the brake on the elevator at the Landingville Storage Yard, on Thursday
afternoon, Joseph Kehoe, a popular young man of Schuylkill Haven, was severely injured, an X-ray showing that he had a fracture at
the base of the skull.  Kehoe is employed inside the building at the yards and was operating the elevator.  The rope broke and
although the machinery automatically stopped, the weight of the coal was sufficient to cause it to run back and Kehoe was caught.  His
condition is serious but it is expected that he will recover, his condition on Friday being good.  He makes his home with an aunt and
uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Heidenway, of Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven.  About a year ago, his father Joseph Kehoe Sr., had his foot crushed
while performing his duties as a brakeman on the shop crew and had to have his toes amputated.  He is just at present preparing to
return to work, his injury having now healed properly.                                                                                                                                                                                                     
LEHIGH VALLEY
RAILROAD
This page is structured by grouping all pictures and articles by railroad.  The Reading Railroad is first including the storage
yards south of town.  The Pennsylvania Railroad and Lehigh Valley Railroads then follow.  Trolley pictures and news is then
presented as it related to Schuylkill Haven.
Please note:  Schuylkill Canal information previously on this page now has its own page.
READING
RAILROAD
The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad operated a large coal storage yard just south
of Schuylkill Haven near Landingville.  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.  Pine trees are planted in the area formerly occupied by the yard.
READING RAILROAD
STORAGE YARDS
PENNSYLVANIA
RAILROAD
Tragedy was no stranger on the Pennsy...
MORE TROLLEY
IMAGES IN TOWN
Pottsville Union Traction Co’s double truck open car nick named
“The Highball” by the local patrons, photographed just past the
dam breast at Adamsdale Park where the track crossed the road
on the way to Orwigsburg. The car body was acquired second-
hand from an Indiana company and mounted on trucks removed
from a closed car during the summer season. It was quite unique
because it did not have the usual narrow running boards that
could be folded up when running.  This car had a ridged upper
running board with railing and a center lower step. On both sides.
Normally the right side in the direction of operation is folded down
(for loading) and the left hand side folded up to prevent boarding.  
On this car, both sides are rigid and this creates a “wide” car.  It
effectively limited the car to a rural run with minimal vehicular
street traffic. It was used mostly between Sch. Haven and
Orwigsburg during the summer season when Adamsdale Park
was open.
At left, work crews are shown clearing snow from the trolley tracks at the corner of Main and Dock
Streets.  At right, a snow sweeper and workers are shown in front of Saint James Episcopal Church on
Dock Street at Paxson Avenue.  Both pictures are circa 1920 and were taken by John A. Moser, the East
Penn's claim agent in Schuylkill Haven.
A streetcar navigates through the snow on Dock Street as
it approaches the intersection with Coal Street.  The
steeple of Christ Lutheran Church is visible on the left.  
This streetcar was one of the East Penn’s newest cars,
acquired in 1921.  This would be the big snowstorm of 1925.
This photo is also by John A. Mower.
The four photos above were kindly provided by Lewis Hoy, descendant of Schuylkill Haven's entrepreneur, P. T. Hoy.
This early image shows a crew unloading coal
from a railroad car at the coal storage yard on
the Schuylkill Mountain .
A view from a coal storage pile showing the
yard office to the left and scale house to the
right with Sculp’s Hill in the background.
In 1921, a conspiracy trial was held at the county courthouse involving
the Schuylkill Haven lodge of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.  
These 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.     
The Call of March 19, 1892

A FATAL ACCIDENT

On Saturday evening, while Harry Freiler, a P and R brakeman, was standing on the tender of engine Number 838 which was shifting at
the Schuylkill Haven storage yard, he lost his footing and fell across the track, the tender passing over his body and killing him almost
instantly.  He was a former Minersvillian and boarded with his wife at Samuel Reber's of Cressona.  On Sunday morning Deputy
Coroner Dr. H. G. Weist empanelled a jury who rendered a verdict of accidental death, with no blame attached to anyone.                         
                                                                                                                               
The Call of November 22, 1929

INJURIES FATAL TO MAN STRUCK BY TROLLEY

Theodore Heffner, a seventeen year old man of Schuylkill Haven, sustained injuries Saturday afternoon when struck by a trolley car
near Connor, which caused his death Sunday morning in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, at eight thirty o'clock.  Heffner with
his chum, Arthur Fenstermacher, was walking along the trolley road toward Schuylkill Haven.  Evidently neither heard the approach of
a trolley bound for Schuylkill Haven and in charge of Motorman Meyers, until too late.  The accident occurred a short distance above
the Lehigh Valley railroad bridge and their forms were not visible to the motorman at any great distance.  As soon as he saw the two
men, he blew the whistle.  Fenstermacher stepped aside and though the car grazed him, he was not injured.  Heffner was thrown
under the car and before it could be stopped, it had passed over his body.  As soon as the car could be stopped, the motorman and
passengers ran back a short distance and found the injured man.  An automobile was stopped and the man rushed to the hospital.  It
was, however, at once seen that he had been so critically injured that his recovery was not looked for.  
In addition to having cuts and bruises about his entire body, due to probably having been rolled along on the sills by the car, he had
suffered the more serious injuries of two fingers and part of the right hand having been severed, the right leg severed above the
knee and the left leg broken at the ankle, with the bones protruding through the flesh.  The young man's chest was crushed and there
were several deep holes in his head and deep cuts on his face.  The unfortunate man with his companion had been returning from a
short hunt for squirrels.  Heffner had been hunting Saturday morning and upon returning at noon told his mother he knew where he
could get some squirrels and that he was going for them Saturday evening .  Saturday afternoon, he attended the high school football
game.  Returning home shortly before five o'clock to his home he took his gun.  About three quarters of an hour after he had left the
home, the gun was returned by a friend with the blunt statement to his mother that her son had been killed.
Theodore was one of five boys and six girls of a family that resided in Schuylkill Haven about eighteen months.  He had been
employed by the Reider Shoe Factory.  He was but seventeen years of age.  He was born in LaSalle County, Illinois.  The family resided
in Cressona for four years and prior to occupied a farm for several years near Rock.  Besides the father, who is in the West, these
brothers and sisters, in addition to the mother, survive: Raymond of Chicago, Lee of Schuylkill Haven Frank at home, William of
Panther Valley, Mrs. Guy Pflueger of Pottsville, Stella of Panther Valley, Mrs. William Kramer of Pine Grove, Grace, Florence and Irene.  
The funeral took place Thursday afternoon from the late home on Margaretta Street.  Services were conducted by Reverend E. H.
Smoll.  D. M. Bittle was the funeral director.                                                                                                
The Call of July 4, 1913

CROSSING WATCHMAN SAVES CHILD

George W. Freehafer, P and R crossing watchman at Williams Street, Friday morning of last week proved himself a hero, when at the
risk of losing his own life, he saved that of a six year old girl.  The escape from being ground to death beneath the wheels of the
swiftly moving northbound passenger train, due here at 10:53 a. m. was miraculous.  Katie Bowen, daughter of Samuel Bowen, on her
way to her home on Market Street, from the home of her aunt Mrs. William Deibler, was compelled to wait several minutes at the
Williams Street crossing until a southbound coal train passed.  As the caboose passed, the girl stepped out and not hearing the
approaching passenger train, stepped directly in its path.  Watchman Freehafer, who was on the east side of the crossing, guarding
the northbound track, having seen the child waiting on the other side of the track, was on the alert and just as she stepped on the
northbound tracks he made a leap, grabbed her and leaped to safety just as the train dashed by.  The escape was a narrow one and
the several witnesses to the scene closed their eyes and turned their heads away expecting the engine had struck them both and
passed over them, so close was the escape.
The crossing gates were down at the time but the child walked up the tracks between the southbound tracks and a side track to the
crossing and was inside the gates.  While standing waiting for the coal train to pass, Daniel Deibert, fireman at the Union Knitting
Mills, realized the possible danger of her position and warned her not to attempt to cross.  Heedless of the warning, however, the
child attempted to cross and had it not been for the presence of mind of Mr. Freehafer, would surely have lost her life.  Watchman
Freehafer has but one arm and his great act of bravery, being thus handicapped, is therefore worthy of unusual comment and notice.  
His many friends are bestowing on him their hearty thanks for his brave act.  It is possible a movement will begin to bring his act to
the notice of the Carnegie Hero Committee that he may be properly awarded a medal for the same.  The father and immediate relatives
of the child are more than thankful to Mr. Freehafer for saving the life of the child at the risk of losing his own.                                                
The Call of August 8, 1913

LOCAL WOMAN RESCUES CHILD

Another narrow escape from being killed on the P and R railroad tracks here, by a timely rescue, occurred this week a short distance
south of Union Street at the alley next to the John Kauterman residence.  The timely rescue was made by Mrs. Moyer, nee Ella Huling,
of Saint John Street.  The rescued was Harry, the two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Schumacher, residing on the same street.  
The child in anticipation of meeting a relative who was to arrive on the next train wandered away from his home unnoticed by his
mother.  Just about the time the 11:26 passenger train from Philadelphia was due, Mrs. Moyer noticed the child standing on the
railroad tracks.  She immediately hurried to the scene. Upon her arrival the train was within about one hundred yards of the child, who
unmindful of the approaching danger clapped his hands and shouted that his grandmother was coming.  Mrs. Moyer, without a
thought for her own safety, rushed to the child and picking him up jumped to one side just as the train dashed by.  The escape of both
the rescuer and the rescued from being ground to death was very close.  Mrs. Moyer, following her brave act was in a very nervous
condition but has recovered and is receiving the congratulations and thanks of many persons for her brave deed.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                
The Call of March 1, 1929

UNION STREET TO BE GUARDED AT NIGHT

It is learned from reliable authority that the Reading Company will shortly provide a greater means and method of protection to the
public at the Union Street crossing in Schuylkill Haven.  The additional protection will be in the form of a crossing watchman who will
be on duty until 11:45 o’clock in the evening.  At this time and for the last few years the crossing watchman’s day ended at 7:45 in the
evening.  The presence of a crossing watchman to operate the crossing gates will provide a much needed protection for this
particular crossing which has come to be traveled almost as much as the Main Street crossing.
Following the accident of several weeks ago when two young folks were struck by Number Nine at the crossing, the Civic Club of
Schuylkill Haven took up the matter with both the Reading Company and the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth.  From
F. M. Falck, General Manager of the Reading, has been received a communication to the effect that after carefully investigating
conditions, it is found that there is little travel over this crossing after midnight.  That the rearrangement of the schedule for the
crossing watchman whereby a man will be on duty until quarter to twelve will, with the present flash lights, provide what is believed to
be sufficient protection.  From John P. Dohney, Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Accidents, Public Service Commission. Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, has also been received a communication by the Civic Club setting forth the same facts and advising of the decision of
the Reading Company in this regard.  Inquiry reveals the fact that, while no arrangements have been made up to this time for the
increased schedule of crossing watchman attendance, it is quite likely the new schedule will become effective shortly.
shortly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of May 14, 1920

HIS INJURIES PROVE FATAL

Lewis Bittle, a well known and almost life long resident of Schuylkill Haven, died at the Pottsville Hospital Wednesday evening about
11:30 o’clock from injuries sustained in some unknown manner Monday evening.  He had evidently been struck by a coal train which
went through town about eleven o’clock at a lively clip.  His body was found between the southbound track and the siding at the
Union Knitting Mills by the crew of the shifting engine about 11:30.  It was noticed his forehead was crushed in and his left ear torn
from the head.  Body bruises and contusions had also been sustained.  He was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital on a special engine
and caboose.  An operation was performed to save his life but he never regained consciousness.  Deceased was about sixty five
years of age.  He had in former years been a prosperous farmer.  Two brothers, Washington and Jacob of town, survive.  The funeral
will take place on Monday morning at ten o’clock at the Bittle Brothers morgue.  Interment will be made in the Union Cemetery.  Both
will be strictly private.  Reverend Leinbach will officiate. officiate.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of June 11, 1920

KILLED AT MINE HILL CROSSING

Returning from a shopping trip to Pottsville, Miss Maida Schweigert of Cressona was struck by Number eight on the Reading road
Saturday afternoon, at the Mine Hill Crossing bridge.  The train is due here at 1:59.  Just how the accident occurred will never be
definitely determined but it is thought the unfortunate woman did not realize the train was so close to the track which she was
walking.  The engineer as soon as she was noticed applied the air with such force that the train came to an almost immediate stop and
passengers were thrown from their seats.  The engine struck the woman and hurled her into the Schuylkill River below.  She was
picked up and hurried to the local P and R station, where she died within forty five minutes of the accident and before the arrival of
the hospital ambulance.  The back of her head was crushed and there were bruises about her face and forehead.  When the body was
taken from the river, in her hand was found the handle of her pocketbook but the pocketbook containing about thirty dollars was
gone.  Her hat was found on one of the abutments of the bridge.  The woman was carrying a basket containing provisions.  Of the
provisions, only two cans of milk were found.
Deceased was well known in Cressona and esteemed.  She was the daughter of Josiah Schweigert.  With her father and brothers and
sisters, she resided on Railroad Street and managed the home.  She was thirty one years of age.  Her death is the third in her family to
occur in a tragic manner.  Her mother while on her way to church fourteen years ago was overcome by the heat and died on the door
step of a friend.  Her brother in law was killed on the railroad several years ago.  She was a member of United Brethren Church,
Cressona.  Besides her father, these brothers and sisters survive: William, Murval, Arval, and Earl of Cressona; Charles of Pine
Grove; Harry of Reading; Mrs. Charles Gehrig, Mrs. Ida Stichter, Mrs. Minnie Kramer, Miss Daisy at home and Mrs. Edward Kauterman
of Schuylkill Haven.  The funeral took place Wednesday morning.                                                                  
The Call of June 16, 1916

HERO MEDAL RECEIVED BY GEORGE FREHAFER

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

*A subsequent article revealed a $500 prize also accompanied the medal.                                 
The Call of August 27, 1920

THIRTY SIX ARRESTED FOR TRESPASS

Thirty six residents of Schuylkill Haven were on Wednesday served with a notice by Officer Duffy of the Reading Company with a
warrant charging them with trespass and theft of coal belonging to the Reading Company.  Each one of the persons served was
required to appear at the office of Squire C. A. Moyer, pay for the quantity of coal taken and the costs in the case.  It is understood
that a car of egg coal in a south bound train was dumped a short distance below the Casket Factory on Tuesday.  Residents of that
section of town were soon appraised of the fact and men, women and children made for the scene and helped themselves.  The coal
was taken home in baskets, boxes, bags, express wagons and automobiles.  In some way or other the company authorities were put
next to the affair and in a comparatively short time Squire was handed a list of thirty six persons on whom warrants were sworn.  
Officer Duffy, it is understood, visited each one of the persons named and appraised them of the facts and that they would have to
pay for the coal taken.  He was given access to their cellars and coal sheds and noted down the quantity of coal.  He reported that
individual families had gathered from one half to four tons of the coal.  The car held about fifty tons.  Fifteen tons remained on the
tracks when the officer arrived and surprised a large number of persons who were busily engaged in carrying it off.                                 
                                       
The Call of October 30, 1903

COLLISION AND RUNAWAY

Saturday morning at about 10:30 o’clock, Trolley Car Number One in charge of Motorman Robinson going down Main Street collided
with Saul and Zang’s box wagon, the collision being caused by the horse suddenly shying at the car and backing the front end of the
wagon directly in front of the car.  The front running gear of the wagon was smashed and the vehicle was thrown against the curb in
front of Dr. Dechert’s office.  Dr. Dechert’s team of handsome sorrels was standing in front of the office and the crash frightened them
and they ran away.  They were stopped at the Union Knitting Mill after having completely demolished the buggy to which they had
been hitched.  The only one hurt was Walter Dress, driver for Saul and Zang, who pluckily stuck to his post and did all he could to
control his horse.  In the collision he was thrown from his seat and wedged between the horse and the car and was painfully
squeezed but was able to resume work at once. once.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
The Call of October 2, 1903

DEATH’S HARVEST – John Paul Killed at Storage Yard

A distressing accident occurred about six o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the P and R storage yards below town, which resulted in the
death of John Paul of Schuylkill Haven and the serious injury of Lewis Miller of Landingville, both carpenters who were employed at
the yards making some repairs.  Recently extensive improvements have been made to the storage yards and a trestling had been
built over the chutes.  Paul, Miller and two other carpenters (who escaped uninjured) were at work on this trestling when a rush of
coal occurred which knocked the block from under the trestling which had not yet been permanently secured and both Paul and
Miller were thrown down into the chutes and crushed by the fall and by the rush of coal and falling timbers.  Miller was removed to his
home while Paul was taken to the Pottsville Hospital.  It was found that his skull had been fractured in two places, a compound one at
the base and a simple fracture on the right side above the ear.  His right arm was fractured in three places and his left leg was also
broken.  No hope was entertained for his recovery and he remained unconscious until death resulted at two o’clock Wednesday
morning.  The deceased was twenty eight years of age, resided on Centre Avenue, and is survived by a wife and three children.  The
funeral took place this morning.  Services were held at the house last evening by Reverend Edwin H. Smoll.  The funeral proceeded at
eight o’clock this morning to the Mahantongo Valley where interment was made. made.                                                                                                                        
The Call of May 28, 1920

KILLED AT STORAGE YARDS

Saturday morning the news of the sudden death of William I. Yeich of Schuylkill Haven shocked his numerous friends about town.  The
young man, seventeen years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Yeich of Fairmount, was well and favorably known to many persons.  
The accident occurred shortly before ten o’clock and his death was the result of his forethought for the safety of his fellow workmen.  
He was employed as a loader and as an empty car came along he boarded it and began to tighten the brakes in order to prevent its
bumping into other cars further down the line and possibly trapping and injuring other workmen.  Standing upon the brake platform
he was thrown to the inside of the car with great force when the car struck other cars.  The side of his face and skull were crushed in
by the impact and it is believed death was instantaneous. Dr. Rodgers of Pottsville was summoned as was also Dr. Rutter of town.  He
was dead when medical assistance arrived.  Deceased would have been eighteen years of age on the coming ninth of September.  He
was born in Schuylkill Haven and spent his entire life here.  He was employed at the storage yards for about two years.  He was a
member of the P. O. S. of A. of town and the Independent Americans of Friedensburg.  He was a member of the Saint John’s Reformed
church and Sunday School.  Besides his grief stricken parents, these brothers and sisters survive: Harry of Cressona, Miriam,
Norman, Ada, Oscar and Mildred of Schuylkill Haven. Haven.                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of November 16, 1917

WIFE’S DREAM SOON CAME TRUE

When Mrs. Fred Fitch of Canal Street bid her husband goodbye on last Saturday afternoon about 3:30 o’clock, little did she realize that
her horrible dream of the night previous was to come true.  During Friday night, Mrs. Fitch dreamed that her husband had figured in a
railroad accident and had been killed.  She could see in her vision, men picking up the remains of her husband and carrying them
gently to a side.  She imagined that she had seen her husband’s crew coming from a trip from down the main line but her husband
was not one of the members of the crew Saturday morning.  Mrs. Fitch told her husband of her dream and likewise members of her
family.  Saturday before he left home to go to work, she warned him to be careful, that her dream of a few hours earlier might not
come true.  Early Sunday, Mrs. Fitch was awakened by the crew caller of the Reading Railroad and informed that her husband had met
with an accident that resulted in his death.  
Fred Fitch was a member of the crew that took engine Number 1736 and eighty two loaded coal cars down the main line late Saturday
afternoon.  The crew was in charge of conductor Leddy of Saint Clair and Engineer M. L. Smith of town.  Two other Schuylkill Haven
residents were also members of the crew, John Ripkee and Homer Raudenbush.  Fitch was a flagman and was alone in the caboose at
the time of the accident.  His lifeless remains were discovered by the members of a north bound coal train crew but a few minutes
following the accident.  This crew in turn notified his own crew and that was the first knowledge of the accident.  Engineer Smith gave
the “Call” the following version of the accident.  “My train was traveling along at a fair rate of speed when at a point south of the
Phoenixville tunnel, I discovered the red board against me.  I applied my brakes gradually and then brought my train to a dead stop.  
This stop was made within about ten cars length.  When I again attempted to start my train, I found that it had parted about fifteen cars
from the caboose.  It was when the other members of the crew had gone back to couple up the train that we were informed for the
first time that my flagman had been killed.  Apparently he had come out of the caboose to get a drink of water.  When the cars came
together he must have been knocked from the front end of the caboose.  The caboose passed over his body almost severing it near
the hips.  He never knew what happened after the wheels passed over his body.  The body was found about ten cars length from the
caboose with every spark of life extinct.”  Mr. Smith also stated that a number of people are endeavoring to hold him accountable for
the accident but he was in no wise to blame being nearly three quarters of a mile away.  The death of Mr. Fitch is the fourth to occur in
the immediate family within the last eight months; an uncle Jere Sowers of Auburn, a railroader, having been one of the four
relatives.  Adam Warner, another uncle, resident of Schuylkill Haven, is in the Miner’s Hospital as the result of a railroad accident
some few weeks ago.  Fred Fitch was thirty three years and one month of age.  He was born and reared in Auburn and for a time was
employed by the Auburn Seamless Tube Works.  About seventeen years ago he came to Schuylkill Haven.  Seven or more years ago
he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Miller, of town, who with two children, Mildred aged six years and Laverne aged sixteen
months, are among the survivors.  He was an only child and surviving besides his immediate family is his mother, Mrs. George
Krammer, of Union Street, town.  The mother is critically ill and under the care of a physician since the death of the son.  He was a
member of the Junior Mechanics and the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.  His funeral took place Wednesday afternoon.  O. A. Bittle
had charge.                        
The Call of January 21, 1916

INJURED AT P AND R CAR SHOPS

Mr. Daniel Frehafer of High Street was badly injured at the P and R car shops Friday afternoon, several minutes before quitting work
for the day.  He was struck and run over by the shifting engine and had his legs so badly mangled that amputation was necessary at
the Pottsville Hospital Friday evening.  The left leg was amputated above the knee and the right leg amputated at the ankle.  His
condition is as well as may be expected under the circumstances.  His many friends were very sorry to hear of his accident and
express their best wishes for his recovery.  Mr. Frehafer was a contract painter at the shops.  He had about finished work and was
walking to the paint shop to place his ladder or step.  It was necessary to walk along or on the board walk which passes the main track
through the shop yards.  He did not notice the approach of the shifting engine with a car in front and a car in the rear.  Nearby
employees noticing the instant danger shouted to him.  The warning came too late and though it appears he noticed the car directly in
front of him, he could not leap aside in time to avoid being struck.  He had sufficient presence of mind to make an effort to get out of
the way.  In being struck by the car and in moving aside, he stumbled over another step or paint ladder standing near by.  In the mix
up he fell to the flooring and the wheels of the first truck passed over his legs diagonally.  He was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital on
the north bound passenger train due here at 4:20 p.m.  The operation was performed shortly after his admittance.  Mr. Frehafer has
been employed at the car shops for the past fourteen years and has never suffered with a serious accident.  He however had several
minor accidents but nothing of the nature of the present one.  Prior to his employment at the shops he railroaded for some twenty
years, being employed by the Pennsylvania Company and by the P and R Company on its most dangerous branch, the Frackville line.  
Tuesday of this week was Mr. Frehafer’s fifty fifth birthday and in strange and sad contrast to the celebration of former birthdays, this
one was celebrated in the hospital under particular unfortunate circumstances. circumstances.                                                                                                                                        
The Call of October 2, 1903

DEATH’S HARVEST – Jeremiah Graeff on Railroad

A very sad accident occurred on the P and R Railroad this side of Landingville late Wednesday night.  At six o’clock Thursday morning
a P and R coal train crew north bound found the unconscious body of Jeremiah Graeff of town lying alongside the track.  They picked
him up, secured a cot from the coal storage yard upon which he was placed and taken to the Pottsville Hospital where he died.  Graeff
called on friends at Landingville Wednesday evening and is thought that he missed the last car and started to walk up the railroad
when he must have been struck by a north bound train and lay unconscious and bleeding along the track until Thursday morning.  
Graeff was aged nineteen years, nine months and three days and was a son of Clinton and Hannah Graeff.  He was a reliable young
man, very popular with his large circle of friends and employed as a cutter in the Landingville shoe factory.  He was a member of
Webster Camp Junior O. U. A. M.  The funeral will take place on Sunday at 1:30 with services at the house by Reverend D. F.
Kostenbader.  Interment at Union Cemetery with D. M. Wagner as funeral director. director.                                                                                          
The Call of February 23, 1912

TROLLEY CAR JUMPS TRACK

The 4:30 p. m. trolley car last Saturday afternoon jumping the track on Dock Street near the McWilliams’ store and crashing into the
yard of the McWilliams home and coming within four and one half feet of plunging down an embankment was due cause for
considerable excitement and a good topic for conversation Saturday night.  That the accident was another one of those miraculous
ones is due to the fact that the McWilliams home is surrounded with a number of shade trees, two of them however being sacrificed
in the accident as well as a heavy pole of the American Union Telephone Company.  The trees and pole were broken off by the impact
of the car.  One tree was hurled quite a distance.  The impact of the car was so great that it crossed the pavement after striking the
trees and ran into the yard and came within a few feet of dropping over a twenty five foot embankment.  The car was Number 30 in
charge of Motorman Kane and Conductor Doolan.  It was late in leaving the Hotel Grand for Pottsville and a desperate effort was
being made to make up for lost time as passengers on the car emphatically stated the car was run at a high rate of speed over Dock
Street.  Either a bad rail or a stone on the track at the curve near the store caused the front trucks to leave the track, the rear trucks
followed.  Motorman Kane stuck to his post of duty and applied the brakes.  A sudden lurch and flying glass announced to the well
filled car that an accident had occurred.  Several passengers were tossed about.  Motorman Kane had his foot injured by having it
caught beneath the controller.  Drs. Moore and Heim dressed the injury.  The front end of the car was somewhat damaged.  Within
less then an hour after the accident, the car had been pulled on the track again and the street cleared for traffic.
traffic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
The Call of February 24, 1911

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

The Good Roads Educational special train will, consisting of one postal car, two coaches and two flat cars, will be in Schuylkill Haven,
Friday, March 10th, on the siding at the Pennsylvania Railroad Station.  The train will arrive here at 3:40 p. m.  An interesting and
instructive lecture will be given in one of the cars on good roads, their construction and methods of keeping them in good condition
and many other important items connected with good roads.  The lecture will be free.  Following the lecture the people attending will
be given an opportunity to view the exhibits and models of different kinds of roads and demonstrations will be given of the various
kinds of road machinery.  The train will leave for Pottsville at 5:50 p. m.  A lecture will be given in Pottsville also.  The two flat cars in
the special train are loaded with good roads machinery.  One car contains models of various kinds of roads, etc.  One coach is fitted
up for lecture purposes and the other coach is furnished for persons accompanying the train.  Considerable interest has already
been aroused in the good roads special train and it is quite likely many of our citizens will avail themselves of this opportunity to
become better informed on the subject of good roads.  A tour of the state is being made by the Good Roads Educational Society with
this special train and Schuylkill Haven is real fortunate in securing one of the lectures.
lectures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
LATER INFORMATION
The Call of September 24, 1909

WRECK AVERTED

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Railroad Wilkes Barre Flyer, southbound which goes through town daily at about 11:30 o’clock, had a
narrow escape from being wrecked at Connors.  Just as the train struck the big curve on top of the thirty foot high embankment at
Connors which leads to Schuylkill Haven station, the pony wheels of the engine left the track.  The train doesn’t stop at Schuylkill
Haven and consequently was going at a very high rate of speed.  Engineer J. Wells immediately applied the brakes and brought his
train to a stop in a distance of about double its length.  Passengers were badly shaken up by the sudden stop, but no one was injured
and the engineer’s prompt action saved the train from being wrecked.  The Mount Carbon wreck crew was called and after few hours
work placed the engine on the track again and the train proceeded.  The northbound accommodation and northbound Wilkes Barre
flyer were delayed by the accident.    
The Call of November 3, 1911

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

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

                                                                                                           

The Call of August 12, 1893

DEATH AT MINE HILL

George Hartzle, a car runner on the Mine Hill branch, while performing his duties on the heavy side opposite the car shops, was
caught between the cars, fell upon the rail and the car wheels passed over him.  His right hip was terribly crushed and the entrails
protruded.  His legs were also badly mangled.  His fellow workmen gathered up his body and laid it upon a stretcher and in a short
time life was extinct.  They carried the remains to Undertaker Ziegenfus, who took charge of them and prepared them for burial.  
Deputy Coroner Dr. D. Dechert empanelled a jury who viewed the remains and heard the witnesses on Tuesday and Wednesday
evenings.  They rendered a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the company and its employees from all blame.  
The deceased was about thirty four years of age and leaves a wife and four children, his mother, Mrs. Joseph Hartzle of Pottsville; two
sisters, Mrs. William Hoover of Cressona and Miss Katie Hartzle of Pottsville, and four brothers, Joseph and Charles of Pottsville, and
Jacob and Frank of Ringtown.  He was a member of the P. O. S. of A. and was identified with one of the Pottsville camps.  He was a
member of the Rainbow Hose Company and had been a member of Company H, 4th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, but
retired some time ago on account of his hearing.  His brother James was killed in the York Farm Colliery disaster in July of 1892.  His
funeral took place on Friday afternoon.  The funeral services were conducted in the Saint John’s Reformed Church, of which the
deceased was a member.  Reverend Mishler, formerly pastor of the German Reformed Church, of Pottsville, conducted the services.
conducted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
The Call of November 22, 1912

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

Mrs. Lucian Reber, of Cressona, had a narrow escape from being run over and killed by a coal train at the main Street P and R
crossing in this town, Wednesday afternoon about four o’clock.  She was struck by a north bound coal train and thrown to the ground
but several inches from the tracks.  Her escape from being ground to death was miraculous.  Outside of a number of body bruises
she suffers no other injuries.  It appears Mrs. Reber, in company with a Mrs. Charles Kantner, both of Cressona, after completing an
afternoons shopping in this town commenced to walk to their homes in Cressona.  By reason of the fact that a train going south had
the crossing blocked, they could not cross over the railroad tracks to follow the usual footpath running parallel to the railroad and
used by pedestrians quite frequently.  Mrs. Reber and Mrs. Kantner followed the path along the north bound track but had gone but
several yards from the Main Street pavement when a north bound train happened along.  On account of the noise made by the south
bound train the approach of the north bound train was not notice even though the engineer blew his whistle.  Mrs. Reber was struck
on the hip by the bumper on the engine and thrown aside the tracks, striking the back of her head against one of the railroad ties
when she fell with terrific force.  She was rendered unconscious by the contact.  Bystanders quickly came to her assistance and she
was removed to the P and R station and later to her home in Cressona via the 4:20 train.  Dr. A. H. Detweiler was summoned and made
her comfortable as possible.  Her chief injuries consist of severe bruises to the head, back and hip.  She also suffers considerably
from shock.
The engine which struck Mrs. Reber was in charge of Albert Berger of town as engineer and M. L. Smith of town as fireman.  Mr.
Berger states that had Mrs. Reber continued in the same path she would not have been touched by his engine, but when the train
was about four feet away from the ladies, Mrs. Reber sort of side stepped and before the train could be stopped she had been struck
and thrown to the ground.  The accident caused considerable excitement about town and rumors to the effect that two persons had
been killed were quickly circulated about town.  Fortunately however, the rumors were incorrect.  Mrs. Reber is the wife of Lucian
Reber, a well known engineer on the Mine Hill Road.  She is the mother-in-law to David Bittle, one of the clerks in Doutrich and
Company’s local store and who assisted in making her comfortable until the arrival of the physician.  Mrs. Reber is well known here
and her many friends hope for her speedy recovery.                                                                                                                
The Call of  March 19, 1926

CRESSONA MAN IS SMOTHERED TO DEATH

George Ebert, employed for many years as a brakeman in the local yards, met with an accident at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday, for
which he paid with his life.  Taking a car of coal that was being weighed over the scales down into the classification yard the brakes
refused to hold.  Fearing the impact he ran back to about the middle of the car and as is customary in such cases jump as the cars
collide to escape the shock.  As the cars came together the sudden jar snapped a door arm off the door directly under him.  The
opening of the door allowed the coal to escape and drew him down.  His plight was immediately discovered and other yard men came
to his rescue and it was seen that the body was entirely covered.  Shovels were secured in an endeavor to shovel him out, but the
position of the body was such that the recovery was a slow and tedious one.  After about a half hour of hard work he was gotten out
but upon examination it was found that life was extinct.  Death was caused by suffocation.  The body was removed to his late home on
Pottsville Street by Undertaker William E. Berger.  Besides his widow, nee Reber, he is survived by the following children: Frederick
and Theodore at home, Lewis and George and Mrs. Angst of this borough and Albert of Schuylkill Haven.  Deceased was a member of
Grace U. B. Church and the Railroad Trainmen, having achieved the 68th milestone of life.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday.   
 
The Call of October 29, 1926

RAILS SPREAD AND WRECK ENGINE HERE

The spreading of rails on a not solid a road bed, on one of the sidings of the Reading Company, a short distance above the J Office,
Sunday morning about a quarter to nine, caused the engine to leave the rails and the cars to buckle in such a way that traffic was tied
up over an hour.  The heavy engine, Number 1659, cut deeply into the sills and twisted the track in bad shape.  The application of the
emergency buckled several of the empty cars and tore out several draw heads in the train.  All crossings were blocked for about an
hour and this happening, just at the time people were on their way to Sunday School, resulted in attendance in many of the schools
being cut down considerably.  A number of persons, after waiting a long time at the Main Street crossing, took the old short cut
through the Greenawald Coal Yards and underneath the railroad bridge.  By reason of the train crossing the northbound track over
the southbound track, all north and south bound trains were delayed until the cars could be moved, which was an hour or more.  The
conductor of the crew was Joseph Maberry.  Art Trout was the flagman.  The engineer was William Becker of Reading.  Conductor
Maberry was somewhat bruised about the face in being struck by a piece of the sand pipe that was broken off from the engine.  He
was standing on the front of the engine as the train was pulling in over the side track.  The Reading wrecking crew arrived about 11:
50 and immediately set to work despite the rain. By three o’clock they had the engine righted upon a rebuilt section of track.  There
was quite a crowd that watched the wreckers at work.                                                  
Coal Storage Chutes
The Call of October 8, 1926

INJURIES TO WILLIAM SATTIZAHN FATAL

William Sattizahn, of Willow Street, died of injuries Friday afternoon, October 1st at four o’clock at the Pottsville Hospital where he had
been a patient since Tuesday afternoon of this same week.  His death was due to the very compound fracture of the skull sustained
Tuesday afternoon about 1:30 when he fell from a car near the storage yards.  The operation was performed Wednesday afternoon
and it was after his failure to respond to the operation that hopes for his recovery were given up.  He never gained consciousness
from the time of the accident.  Deceased was a well known railroader having been on the road for thirty five or more years.  For the
last several years he was a brakeman on the shifting crew at the Mine Hill Yards.  He was born in Pine Grove and was a resident of
this town for the past thirty five years.  He was a member of the Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  Fraternally he was connected with
the Sons of America of Summit Station and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.  Besides the wife, the following children survive:
Harry Sattizahn, Mrs. Roy Koch, Mrs. Austin Hoffman, William and Bright Sattizahn of Schuylkill Haven and Ralph at home.  Two sisters
and one brother also survive: Mrs. William Reber of Pine Grove and Mrs. Albert Hain of Pine Grove.  The funeral took place on
Monday afternoon at two o’clock.  There were many friends and relatives in attendance at the services, all of which were conducted
by Reverend Sutcliffe at the late home.  D. M. Bittle was the funeral director.  The bearers were: Edward Maberry, Ed Lynch, Daniel
Phillips, A. M. High, Norman Eifert and George Mullen.  There were very beautiful flowers presented.
presented.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of September 26, 1896

FELL THIRTY FEET

About nine o’clock on Wednesday morning the people of town were horrified by the announcement that several men were killed at
the Philadelphia and Reading shops, but upon investigation it was found that six men were injured.  The men were engaged in the
construction of the new blacksmith shop and were working inside near the roof.  Suddenly the support on which they were standing
gave way precipitating them to the ground, a distance of about thirty feet.  James Dewald, a resident of Summer Valley, fell on his face
and had it terribly lacerated.  John Flammer received a contusion on his right leg.  The others fortunately only received slight
injuries                                       
The Call of September 1, 1916

DIED OF INJURIES RECEIVED NEAR CONNOR

Henry Kramer, aged fifty seven, a deaf and dumb person, who for years was employed by Terrance Clark at Connor’s, was struck
Friday afternoon by a Lehigh Valley coal train and died from the injuries sustained an hour following the accident.  “The Dummy”, as
he was more familiarly known and called had been instructed to do some work near the railroad on the farm of Mr. Clark.  He took with
him a pail or kettle with water in it.  In order that it would keep cool and fresh the man placed the same in a crevice near a spring in
the cut above Connor’s on the Lehigh Valley Railroad.  It was while he was going to the cut for the pail of water that the coal train bore
down upon him.  Failing to hear the shrieks of the whistle and although the train was going at a slow rate, he was struck and hurled
against the rocks at the side of the mountain.  The body rebounding fell along the tracks and before the train could be stopped the
wheels had severed his right arm.  His skull was crushed, his left leg fractured and his back crushed besides probable internal
injuries.  Dr. James Gray of Cressona was summoned and made the victim as comfortable as possible.  The man was unconscious from
the time of the accident and died before he could be moved to the hospital.  The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the
residence of Mr. Clark.                                                        
The Call of July 15, 1890

DIED FROM HIS INJURIES

The man named Smith who was struck with the column of the bridge while being hoisted into position yesterday, died this morning at
the house of Mr. Butler in Schuylkill Haven, where he had been boarding.  It is not known where he came from or where his home is.  
He came to work on the bridge about three weeks ago accompanied by a companion, who left the place about three days after.  
Deputy Coroner Dr. Weist summoned a jury who viewed the remains and adjourned to meet tonight at six o’clock to hear testimony.  A
collection was taken up to defray the expenses of his funeral and he will be interred in one of the cemeteries of Schuylkill Haven.
Haven.                                                                
The Call of September 30, 1908

BRAKEMAN’S BODY CUT IN HALF

James Lynch, a P and R brakeman employed on the Mine Hill Division, was instantly killed this morning at the Mine Hill crossing by
being run over with a car, his body being cut in two.  He was a resident of Cressona, thirty five years of age, and is survived by a wife.  
His train was being assorted by the crossing and he was lying under a car fixing the air coupling when the train started out.  His body
was across the rails and the wheels passed over his abdomen.  The remains were wrapped up and conveyed to an undertaking
establishment at Schuylkill Haven and prepared for burial before being removed to his home.  Deceased was formerly a miner
residing at Mount Laffee before he accepted a position on the railroad and removed to Cressona.  He was well known and liked.
liked.                                
The Call of January 24, 1891

INSTANTLY KILLED ON THE RAIL

Jeremiah Werner, a married man living at Port Clinton and employed as conductor on the Philadelphia and Reading main line, was
instantly killed last evening at Connor’s Crossing by being run over by his own engine.  When his train reached the above named
place it was stopped and he and his crew began the shifting of cars at that point.  The unfortunate man had occasion to cross in front
of the engine which was running tank first when his right foot caught in a frog.  In vain he tried to extricate himself.  He shouted for
the engineer to stop but his cries were not heard.  In an instant the tank was on him and passed over his body, crushing and mangling
him in a horrible manner.  The engineer, Anderson, knew nothing of the accident until the tank of the engine had gone over the
conductor’s body.  Mr. Werner was thirty years of age and leaves a wife and two children and was considered a good railroader.  M. F.
Pflueger, W. F. Stitzer, D. H. Auchenbach, A. H. Kline, D. D. Coldren and Edward Kauffman constituted the jury empanelled by Deputy
Coroner Weist, who viewed the body and after hearing the testimony of the crew rendered the following verdict: “Jerry Werner, of
Port Clinton, met his death by being caught in a ‘frog’ by the right foot while making a ‘cut’ in shifting at or near Cressona station on
the line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.  No blame is attached to the crew of Engine Number 112.
112.”                                                                                                                        
The Call of March 15, 1912

STRUCK BY ENGINE

Daniel G. Womer of Cressona, the well known telegraph operator at Mine Hill crossing had a very narrow escape from death Tuesday
afternoon.  In going out of the office to issue orders to north bound Engine 101, with Superintendent Keefer and a number of other P
and r officials, he misjudged the speed of a south bound train which overtook him in his effort to recross the tracks.  He was struck by
the engine and hurled to the side narrowly escaping being run over.  Mr. Womer was assisted to the office and later removed to his
home.  His condition at this writing was serious, the engine having struck him on the back, neath the shoulder blade and it was feared
by the attending physician, Dr. C. Lenker, that he was injured about the lungs and ribs.  Mr. Womer is well known in town and his
friends were grieved to learn of the accident.                                                                                                                                
The Call of April 19, 1912

ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

A foreigner by the name of Peter Fancanno, residing with Paul Bazar of Railroad Street, Cressona became mentally unbalanced
Sunday morning and attempted suicide by throwing himself against the south bound 10:55 Mine Hill train.  Early in the morning his
actions aroused the suspicions of the neighbors.  A crowd gathered round about his home and were at a loss to know what action to
take in the matter.  Upon hearing the passenger train approaching he broke away from the crowd, ran towards the train an threw
himself against it.  Instead of being pulled in under the wheels he was knocked to one side.  Outside of several body bruises, he
escaped injury.  The bystanders however took him into custody. Constable Hartz summoned the ambulance from the Almshouse and
he was taken to that institution.  It is said worriment over the separation from his wife, who is at present in his native country, caused
him to lose his mind.
The Call of January 26,1917

GIRLS HAD NARROW ESCAPE ON RAILROAD

Miss Margaret James, of West Columbia Street, and Miss Eva Wessner, of town, both had very narrow escapes from being either
killed or seriously injured Monday noon on the P and R railroad a short distance south of the Union Street crossing.  Miss James and
Miss Wessner, both employed at the Union Knitting Mills, were walking north along the southbound track toward town where they
intended to do some shopping during their lunch hour.  A coal train was going north on the northbound track at the time.  On account
of the high wind both girls had their heads lowered and with arms linked were unaware of the approach of a coal train on the
southbound track.  The engineer of the southbound coal train whistled a number of times and persons residing in the neighborhood
stated the whistling was so pronounced that their attention was attracted to it.  Several employees of the Thomas Knitting Mill noticed
the girls and the approaching train and whistled ad shouted a warning.  Evidently the girls did not hear the southbound train on
account of the noise made by the train going north, as they continued on.  The engine struck the Wessner girl on the arm and threw
both across the track, but luckily on the shifting track instead of the southbound track on which the train was approaching.  The
James girl struck the track with her head and sustained a bruised forehead.  The Wessner girl sustained a number of body bruises.  
Both girls suffered from shock.  Reports to the effect that they sustained internal injuries, fractured skulls, broken ribs, etc. are
incorrect.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of July 5, 1901

TROLLEY CAR JUMPS TRACK

The passengers on the open trolley car, which left this place at 3:30 o'clock last Saturday night, met with an experience that was
attended with quite a little excitement and a good shaking up.  After rounding the corner at Dock Street, the car usually gains
considerable speed in going down the grade out that street.  On the curve at Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, the car jumped the
track and went crashing toward the pavement, its progress only being stopped as the wheels struck the curbs of the sidewalk.  A big
iron lamp post in its path had been snapped off like a pipe stem.  Luckily no one was injured, the only damage resulting being a
crushed in front of the car and the broken lamp post.  Traffic was delayed about an hour owing to the occurrence.  The accident was
caused by a stone on the track.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of July 19, 1901

CLOSE CALL FOR LIFE

John Stewart of Pottsville, a coal train fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, on Tuesday met with an accident at the local station that
might have caused him serious injury or cost his life.  Stewart was riding on the engine of the passenger train due here at 5:22 p. m.
and as the train entered the station he leaped from the engine to the truck standing on the platform near the tracks.  The surface of
the truck is lined with iron strips and these, made slippery by the rain, caused his feet to fly out from under him as he landed.  He fell
backward and struck his head heavily, rendering him partially insensible.  At the same time the truck, given an impetus by his body,
stated forward toward the rails with the man in his dazed and helpless condition on it.  The truck was caught by the baggage car and
dragged but a short distance when the train came to a halt.  One wheel of the truck had already left the platform and but a few feet
further and it would have pitched over and the man would have been thrown under the wheels of the train.  It was a most narrow
escape.  The unfortunate man was placed aboard the train and taken to the Pottsville Hospital.                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                      
The Pottsville Republican of July 24, 1933

WOMAN KILLED BY THE FLYER

Miss Audrey Sidler, aged nineteen years, of Schuylkill Haven, was instantly killed Sunday evening shortly before six o’clock when she
was struck by the Philadelphia flyer of the Reading Company near Connor’s Crossing.  She was enroute from Cressona and was
attempting a short cut along the railroad tracks and became confused at the approach of the train.  The body was placed aboard the
train and brought to the station here following which it was turned over to Undertaker Hall.  Later Undertaker Bittle of Schuylkill
Haven took charge of the remains.  One leg was severed and the other crushed and her body badly bruised.  The train struck her and
then threw her a distance.  The family moved to Schuylkill Haven from Catawissa five years ago, and for a time her father, Hilbert, was
employed at the Cressona Shops.  She was a member of the U. B. Church and leaves to survive her parents Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert
Sidler and these brothers and sisters: Robert, James, Mary, Jane, Corliss, Medra and Louise all at home; Mrs. Margaret Diehl of
Schuylkill Haven and Mrs. Geraldine Hartman of Catawissa.  The funeral will be held from the family home at the convenience of the
family on Wednesday with interment in Catawissa.                          
The Pottsville Republican of December 29, 1909

RUN DOWN ON RAIL FATALLY HURT

Charles F. Heisler was run down about fifty yards north of the P and R station at Schuylkill Haven last night and died shortly after
midnight at the Pottsville Hospital.  Deceased was thirty two years of age, single and resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian
L. Heisler, of Hornung Street in Jalappa.  The unconscious form was found about 1:30 p. m. lying on the tracks by call boy Connelly who
happened that way.  Assistance was speedily secured and the young man was brought to the Pottsville Hospital without delay, where
it was found that the right leg had been severed near the hip and the left leg near the knee.  His fingers were also badly crushed.  
While being removed from the track to the station he regained consciousness long enough to give his name and address and
although his relatives were notified, he died at the hospital before they arrived.  Deceased was employed at the steel mill and the
family are unable to account  for his presence in Schuylkill Haven.  It is believed, however, that he was endeavoring to board a freight
or coal train for home when he was thrown under the train and killed.  To survive he leaves his father and mother, who was Anna B.
Nettlinger of Pottsville, two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Knowles and Mrs. John Kogel of Pottsville and two brothers, John of Philadelphia
and Christian of Pottsville.       
The Call of October 20, 1916

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

Trolley car number 23 in charge of motorman Thomas McGovern of town and conductor Oscar Bight bound for Pottsville, struck and
demolished the Vim auto truck of groceryman Harry Schumacher shortly after two o'clock Thursday afternoon.  The machine was
completely demolished or so badly damaged that it is practically worthless.  The occupants of the car, Christ Schumacher and lewis
Goas and Charles, the young son of Mr. Christ Schumacher had miraculous escapes from being fatally injured.  As it was they
received several cuts about the face and head from flying glass of the windshield which was splintered.  The Schumacher lad was the
most seriously injured.  He sustained a deep cut over the left center of his forehead, about one half inch from the eye, a deep cut on
the head and several other cuts about the face.  Although he did considerable screaming immediately following he crash, he soon
regained his nerve and certainly was a brave little soldier.  He was taken to the store of Clinton Confehr.  Dr. Detweiler was soon on
the scene and the youngster immediately stood up and stated he wasn't hurt, that he didn't feel anything, despite the fact that
considerable blood was dropping down over his eyebrow into his eye.  Mr. Christ Schumacher received a cut on the right cheek and
Lewis Goas a smaller cut on the forehead.  The doctor hustled all three patients into his machine, took them to his office and dressed
their wounds.
The accident occurred on Dock Street at the private alley aside of the George Raush residence.  The auto was in charge of Christ
Schumacher and had just come out of the alley and was about to turn in Dock.  Th machine must have been almost squarely on the
tracks as the marks show it was struck in the middle and thrown to the side.  The top or box of the auto was thrown about twenty feet
and the chassis struck a nearby telephone pole.  The wheels were broken, the steering wheel twisted, the running boards splintered,
the top of the car broken and a sorry sight.  The contents of the machine were badly mixed and destroyed.  The wreck was removed
late Thursday afternoon.  The driver of the automobile states that he did not see or hear the trolley coming and the motorman of the
trolley makes the same statement.  The crash could be heard for a square and the screams of the youngster son attracted quite a
crowd.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of November 23, 1900

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH

George W. Berkheiser, an employee at the Pennsylvania Railroad station, this place, had a remarkably narrow escape with his life last
Tuesday morning.  Mr. Berkheiser usually transacts the business with the baggage masters on the passenger trains arriving at that
depot.  The early morning southbound passenger trains on the Pennsy and at the Lehigh Valley are due at this depot twenty minutes
apart, the former approaching the station on the nearer track, while the latter is due later on the track farthest from the station
platform.  Mr. Berkheiser was under the impression that the Pennsylvania train had arrived and departed and that the train then
approaching through the darkness was the Lehigh on the outer track.  Without further satisfying himself, not even looking in the
direction of the approaching train, which happened to be the Pennsy, he stepped from the platform directly in its path.  He was struck
by the engine pilot with great force and tossed through the air, landing heavily some distance away.  He received no serious injury,
but his escape from such, even death, was most miraculous.  A wound on the scalp and a bruised leg were the only injuries received
that required attention.                                                                
The Call of December 21, 1900

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

The lifeless and bruised body of James B. McGeoy, one of the oldest residents of this place, was found at six o'clock this morning on
the roadway beneath the Pennsylvania Railroad arch near Connor's Crossing.  The body was discovered by butcher D. F. Hoy, of this
place, who immediately sent for Constable Butz.  A careful examination of the body failed to show any marks that might have resulted
from foul play and it is generally supposed that Mr. McGeoy was walking along the railroad tracks above the arch when he stumbled
and fell or was hit by a locomotive and thrown to the hard roadway below, a distance of about twenty feet.  His face was badly bruised
and his right hand fractured.  When found he was lying on his face with his hand beneath his body and his injuries, it would naturally
be supposed, resulted from the fall.  The remains were given in charge of undertaker Charles Wagner, who removed them to the
unfortunate man's home on Berne Street.  An inquest was held over the remains this morning, the coroner's jury rendering a verdict
of accidental death.  Mr. McGeoy left his home yesterday morning at ten o'clock stating that he was going to Pottsville to purchase
Christmas goods.  He was reported to have been seen there shortly before eleven o'clock last night.  How he got to the scene of his
death is unknown and that he should have been to Pottsville and returned without any packages cannot be explained.
Mr. McGeoy was born in Longfort County, Ireland, sixty five years ago and emigrated to this country, coming directly to Schuylkill
Haven in 1848.  He got a situation at oiling cars for the Reading Company and was subsequently employed in other positions by the
company up to eight years ago, when with a large number of men, he was retired on account of old age.  Since then he has lived a
retired life.  He was a gentleman of fine moral character and was held in high esteem by all ho knew him.  He is survived by three sons
and two daughters as follows: Mrs. John Coho of this place and James, Joseph, Charles and Katie at home.  Mr. Barney McGeoy,
probably the oldest resident in the town, is a brother.  The arrangements for the funeral had not been made at the time of going to
press.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of September 27, 1901

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

Jacob K. Reed, a well known citizen of this place, was struck by a locomotive near the Mine Hill Crossing, on the P and R Railway, at a
few minutes past five o'clock Tuesday evening and instantly killed.  Mr. Reed, who operated a stone quarry at Beckville, was on his
way home from that place when he met his tragic death.  Near the bridge at the Mine Hill Crossing he left the path along the siding
and started to walk between the siding and northbound tracks.  He had just reached a point about half the length of two gondola cars
standing on the siding, when the workmen's train, r more familiarly known as the "bug car", came along at a high rate of speed.  Mr.
Reed, it is supposed, did not want to remain between the gondolas and the train as it rushed by and made a quick but fatal move to
cross the tracks.  He was struck by the engine and thrown with tremendous force against the gondolas.  His body escaped the
wheels.  The accident was witnessed by a number of the employees at the crossing, among whom was the unfortunate man's son,
Daniel Reed.  Both shoes flew from the victim's feet high into the air when he was it.  He was found lying between the main track and
siding and life was ended, death having been instantaneous.  An examination showed that the face and chest were crushed and his
neck, jaw and two arms were broken.  His whole body bore bruises.  Witnesses state that Mr. Reed must have seen the engine as he
was facing in that direction as it approached and the engineer had sounded a warning blast.  
Deputy Coroner Peter Stanton held an inquest and death was found to have been the result of the injuries stated above.  The remains
were taken to E. Ziegenfus's undertaking establishment and next morning removed to his late home at the corner of Columbia and
Berne Streets.
Deceased was a resident of this place for the past thirty four years, having moved here from Berks County.  He was born at
Landingville and was a son of the late George W. and Kate Reed.  He was seventy one years old.  He was a wheelwright by trade, but
abandoned that long ago.  For the past twenty years he operated his stone quarry at Beckville during which time, until his fatal
accident, he had made the trip safely to and from his home.  He was a member of Grace United Evangelical Church and was a faithful
worshipper there.  His wife died in February 1899.  He leaves four sons and one daughter as follows: Cornelius F., Daniel W. and John
Reed and Mrs. William Becker of this place and George Reed of Pottsville.  The funeral will be held from the late home on Sunday
afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after which the cortege will proceed to Grace United Evangelical Church where further services will be
conducted by the pastor, Reverend S. S. Chubb.  Interment will be made in Union Cemetery.
The Call of January 9, 1903

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

Car Number 84 of the Pottsville Union Traction Company, on the Orwigsburg Division, in charge of Motorman Lapp and Conductor
Berger, came to grief on the last trip to Orwigsburg Sunday night.  The car left Schuylkill Haven just a few moments before twelve
o'clock midnight, almost a half hour late, going down the steep incline of Saint John Street, from Market to Liberty, the car got beyond
control and at the junction of Saint John and Liberty Streets, it left the track, crashed through the guard rail and plunged head
foremost down the steep twelve foot embankment on to the north bound track of the P and R Railway.  Motorman Lapp saved himself
by jumping.  There were two passengers, George Portz and John Holly, both of Pottsville, with Conductor Thomas Berger in the car at
the time.  All three were badly bruised and when they attempted to make their exit found it was impossible to open the doors.  Fearing
that they might be run down by a passenger train while imprisoned in the derailed car, they kicked the glass out of the windows and
made their escape.
The P and R wreck crew was immediately summoned and found the trolley car such a difficult subject to deal with that the blockade
was not lifted from the north bound track until 8:30 Monday morning.  Th wrecked trolley car was pulled down off the bank, the trucks
were pulled from under her and she was skidded up on the rails to William Street, where she was dumped in the street an the truck
and other wreckage were piled along side her.  It took the trolley company's wreck crew the balance of the day to drag the car and
truck up the hill, place it on the tracks and tow it to the Palo Alto power house for repairs.  The front end of the car was stove in,
panels on both sides were smashed, the roof was ripped open, every pane of glass was broken and all the wiring and trolley, light and
motor connections were torn to pieces.  It was a very badly wrecked car.                                                                                                                                
The Call of November 29, 1901

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

Last Saturday morning about 6:30 o'clock, just as electric car Number 40, in charge of Motorman Dentzer and Conductor Tucker,
swung onto Wilow Street on its way to town, a big turkey gobbler ran onto the track and was struck and killed.  The bird was a fine one
and would have admirably suited as the piece de resistance at a Thanksgiving Day feast.  The car crew and passengers are wondering
if the turkey preferred death on the rail to a momentary experience with the keen edge of an axe and committed suicide.                                                  
                                                              
The Call of October 25, 1901

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

George Baumgarten, an inmate of the County Home, at this place, met a most sudden and tragic death last Sunday afternoon about
2:30 o'clock.  Baumgarten, who was deaf and dumb, had left the Almshouse for a walk into the country, very unwisely choosing the
Lehigh Valley railroad tracks.  He had proceeded to a point in the cut beyond Spring Garden Junction when a special train from
Pottsville to Bethlehem came along.  He was walking slowly down the track with his back to the rapidly approaching train and the
engineer blew a warning blast.  As the engine came closer the whistle sounded another warning, but without any effect on the man in
the path of death ahead.  The engineer shut off steam and applied the air brakes but the train could not be stopped in time to avoid
the accident.  He was struck and instantly killed, being thrown upon the rails.  Very few trains pas over this road on Sunday and the
unfortunate man took no precautions to save himself from a surprise of this kind.  
Immediately after the accident, Deputy Coroner H. Y. Hartman empanelled a jury who rendered a verdict of accidental death in
accordance with the facts above given.  The crew of the train were exonerated from all blame.  Mr. Baumgarten was admitted to the
County Home on August 1, 1896, from Ashland, and was an inmate of the stone building.  He was sixty two years of age.  The remains
were claimed by a brother and sister residing at Ashland and were on Tuesday morning taken to the place of interment.                                                       
                                                                                                                 
The Call of January 2, 1903

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

A big smashup, the result of a head on collision of two freight trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Adamsdale on Saturday gave
the curious something to look at and something to talk about and cost the company a considerable sum of money.  The wreck
occurred about 7:30 Saturday morning, when a local freight was shifting some cars on the upper end of the Adamsdale siding at
Peale's farm.  The engine was pulling out onto the main track when the fast freight hove in sight, coming at the rate of about thirty
miles an hour.  Brakes were whistled for and the air was put on, but before the train could be slackened to any perceptible extent the
two engines came together with a crash.  In the meantime, however, the local engine had reversed, which was responsible for the
fact that both trains were not broken to pieces.
When the engines whistled for brakes, the train hands, after doing what they could to avert the accident, jumped to the ground and all
of them escaped uninjured.  Both engines were so badly smashed up that they had to be sent to Altoona shops for repairs.  Several
cars were smashed to kindling wood while a number had their ends stove in.  The Mount Carbon and Reading wreck crews labored
until the middle of the afternoon before the road was sufficiently cleared for the passage of trains.  In the meantime, passengers were
transferred around the wreck and several through cars, of Adams express matter that had to be hurried to its destination, were sent
down attached to P and R trains.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of October 18, 1901

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

George Fullerton of Connor's Crossing, a P and R coal train engineer, had his left foot crushed in an accident about five o'clock on
Sunday morning that makes his escape from death very remarkable.  While the train was moving southward at a slow speed at a point
between Warner's old boat yard and the Red Bridge, a short distance below this place, Mr. Fullerton climbed out on the foot board to
oil the air pump on the fireman's side of the locomotive.  While thus engaged his lamp blew out and in the darkness he made a
misstep and fell on the rails in front of the moving train.  He was confused as to his bearings by the fall and did not know in which
direction to scramble for safety.  The engine struck and rolled him along for some distance before he was pushed aside.  His left foot
unluckily was caught under the wheels and crushed.  His escape from death was miraculous.  Mr. Fullerton by his cries attracted the
attention of his fireman, Peter Peiffer, who brought the train to a standstill.  The injured man, unaided climbed to the cab and directing
the fireman to uncouple the engine, ran it with his own hand up to Connor's Crossing.  Here he was placed on a stretcher and carried
to his home nearby.  Mrs. Fullerton, on opening the door and beholding her husband on a stretcher, was greatly shocked at the sight
and screamed frantically, whereupon he jumped up and dashing into the house after his wife, informed her as to the extent of his
injuries.  
Dr. James C. Gray of Cressona was summoned, and assisted by his brother, Dr. John M. Gray of Port Carbon, the greater part of the
injured member was amputated.  After an improvised operating table had been arranged, Mr. Fullerton, to the astonishment of the
physicians, jumped unaided from his bed on it and underwent the operation. After the physicians had performed their work, to the still
greater surprise of those present, he coolly go down from the operating board and went back to bed.  His remarkable display of nerve
from the time of the accident has been surprising and is much commented on.  At latest accounts, Mr. Fullerton is getting along very
nicely.               
The Call of June 20, 1902

INJURED IN A COLLISION

Fireman Jere Huling of P and R shifter Number 1279 had his collar bone broken, leg injured and was badly shaken up in a head on
collision on Monday morning, near Mine Hill crossing, between his engine and engine Number 511 drawing a supply train bound for
Landingville storage yards where a force of special police is located.  Huling was on the tank and the force of the collision threw him
violently against the firebox.  He is resting comfortably.  The damage to the locomotives will be covered by $75.  Several years ago Mr.
Huling in a similar accident, had a piece taken out of the calf of one of his legs and skin grafting had to be resorted to, to induce the
injured member to heal.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
At left the trolley heads south from
Pottsville at Connor's Crossing.  
Note the early cars and the Lehigh
Valley Railroad trestle on the right
of the picture.
The trolley photo at right 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.
tracks.                                                
The Call of November 19, 1892

SAD DEATH OF HARRY MILLER

Harry Miller, the ten year old boy of Piercion Miller, met with a fatal accident last Friday.  He was on his way from the Gas and water
Company’s works and was walking along the railroad in company of another boy carrying his fathers overcoat.  His companion
boarded the coal train but he ran along side of the train and slipped and fell.  In some way or other his legs got under the wheels and
they were crushed so badly that amputation was necessary in order the boy’s life might be saved.  Dr. Lenker and Dr. Cummings
performed the operation.  The boy lived through it but the shock was too great and he died a few minutes afterward.  His funeral took
place on Tuesday afternoon.  The church was crowded with young and old folks who were desirous of paying their last respects to the
dead. Reverend P. C. Croll of Lebanon, formerly pastor of this charge, conducted the services.  Interment was in Union Cemetery.  
Undertaker Ziegenfuse had charge of the funeral.  The pall bearers were John Koch, Milton Knarr, James Hill and William reed.  The
floral tributes were very fine.  A wreath was given by Miss Margaret Morgan’s school which the deceased attended.  Another wreath
was given by the Lutheran Sunday School.  A white lily and bouquet of roses was given by John Yereston of Harrisburg, a relative of
the family and a sheaf of wheat was given by Miss Hattie McCormick.
McCormick.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of November 25, 1893

IRVIN D. SAYLOR KILLED

Irvin D. Saylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Saylor, met with a sad death on Thursday evening, November 16th.  In company with a
friend he attempted to board the caboose of a coal train at the Reading depot.  In some mysterious manner he was hurled against the
safety gates or a switch signal and had his face crushed and bruised beyond recognition.  He was picked up and carried to the station
but lived only a short time after the accident.  He was conveyed to his late home with his parents on Union Street. Undertaker
Ziegenfus took charge of the remains and prepared them for burial.  The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon.  A large concourse
of friends and relatives gathered at the Saylor residence on Union Street, to pay their last tribute and respect to their companion and
friend.  The funeral cortege proceeded to the Trinity Mission Evangelical Church where the sermon was preached by Reverend C. D.
Drecher.  After the services they proceeded to the Union Cemetery where the remains were laid to res.  A large number of the
employees of the Tilt Silk Mill at Pottsville, where the deceased had been employed, attended the funeral in body.  Friends were
present from Orwigsburg, Hamburg Landingville and Cressona.  The floral ovations were a pillow, a wreath and several bouquets.  His
companions from town presented a beautiful robe.  The pall bearers were Charles Brobst, Reno Helms, Amos Sterner, Charles Mellot,
Charles Sausser and Harry Becker.  Irvin was born in Schuylkill Haven and was twenty years old.  He attended our public schools and
for some time previous to his death was employed at the Tilt Silk Mill at Pottsville.  Mr. Harris, superintendent of that establishment,
said of him in a letter to his father:"He was a good, honest and reliable boy and I had hoped would become a good man."  We have
known Irvin to be a young man of good moral habits and a favorite among his companions.  His death was a shock to the community
and hundreds of his friends turned out at the funeral to do homage to the dead.  He leaves his parents, two brothers, and seven
sisters to mourn his untimely death.  The family have the sympathy of the community in their sore affliction.     
The Call of July 13, 1895

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

While in the act of placing a draw bar into a car at the Philadelphia and Reading car shops, Daniel Dailey, aged sixty eight years of
Connor's Crossing, was instantly killed.  George Berger aged forty years of town, had one hip hurt and was injured internally, and
Frank Schwartz, aged fifty five of town, had both legs fractured.  The men were at work between two large coal cars which were on a
side track.  Almost opposite to the two cars they jumped the track and ran into the cars which the men were repairing.  Daniel Dailey,
who was kneeling down, had his head crushed into a frightful shape.  His cheek bones were forced almost together and his skull
crushed.  The head was smashed so badly that the face was not recognizable.  It is supposed that his head was caught between the
bumpers of the cars.  Frank Schwartz and George Berger were thrown under the wheels of the cars and injured as described in this
article.  Each of the men has a family.  The accident caused quite an excitement in town.  Early last evening Berger was reported as
dead but it was found to be only a rumor.                                                                
The Call of June 7, 1901

LADS AWFUL EXPERIENCE

The high bridge of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at this place has on several occasions been the scene of some tragic event but none
more startling then that which occurred there shortly before noon last Saturday.  Lester, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beck, and Elwin,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bubeck, both of this place, started to cross this high structure in search of birch on the mountains on the
other side.  They had gotten to the middle of the bridge, which is nearly one hundred feet high at that point, when the local freight
rounded the curve.  It was impossible to stop the train in time and the engineer blew a warning blast.  By great presence of mind each
boy dropped to the edge of the trestle and swung a leg over a four by four inch binder which runs along the edge of the sills to keep
them in place.  They leaned back as far as possible as the train rushed by and thus saved their lives but the close proximity of their
heads to the wheels can be imagined when it is stated that the oil boxes of the cars grazed the lads heads.  The train stopped a short
distance beyond and the crew rushed back to rescue the brave lads from their perilous position.  They were very faint from their
awful experience and had to be carried on the train to the opposite side of the bridge.  It is needless to say the lads discontinued
their search for birch and made a dash for home.  The story seems almost incredulous but is stated to be authentic by reliable and
responsible parties who were near the scene at the time.                                       
The Call of September 14, 1900

IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STORAGE YARDS


The P and R Coal and Iron Company have a large force of workmen engaged in making extensive improvements at their storage yards
between this place and Landingville. New partitions which require a large amount of lumber and labor are being erected between the
bins and six new water tanks, used for purifying the water for the boilers, are also being constructed.  Two new dwelling houses are
being erected on the premises and will be occupied by employees at the yards.  Other small but needed improvements are being
made.  There is not much dumping or loading of coal at present.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of August 10, 1900

ACCIDENT AT THE STORAGE YARDS

Daniel Longlow, residing on Canal Street this place, an employee at the coal; storage yards,had a narrow escape from death on
Wednesday afternoon while at work.  He had gone up the slope to roll a heavy log down and had started one when a second followed
and rolled upon him.  Luckily he was at the end of the log which knocked him down and passed over his legs only, badly bruising and
spraining them.  He was unconscious up to the time he was placed upon the engine which brought him to the Williams Street
crossing, from which place he was carried to his home, where he is now confined to bed. Dr. C. Lenker was summoned and rendered
the necessary medical attention.                                                                                                                                                                                    
The Call of December 25, 1897

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

All the happiness of the Christmas holidays was driven out of the home of Charles Kirkpatrick, when the intelligence was received on
Wednesday night, that the husband and father, who had gone to work but a short time before, now lay cold in death, snatched away
almost in a twinkling of an eye, without a chance of bidding farewell to those he loved, while performing his usual duties.  Mr.
Kirkpatrick was employed as a brakeman on the engine known as the shute engine used at the storage yard.  On Wednesday night at
about ten o’clock, while in the act of catching cars, he was caught between the bumpers and instantly killed.  The body was taken on
board the engine and conveyed to the P and R depot where it was given in charge of Undertaker Wagner, who prepared the body for
burial, after which it was taken to the home of the sorrowing family.  He was thirty eight years of age and has been a resident of Haven
Street, Spring Garden for a number of years.  In his death the community loses an exemplary and respected citizen and the company
of one of its most faithful and efficient employees.  He leaves a wife and family of six children to mourn his untimely death.  The
funeral will take place on Monday afternoon from his late residence on Haven Street, after which services will be held at Saint
Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  Interment will be made in Union Cemetery.  He was a member of the Rainbow Hose Company, which
organization will attend the funeral in a body. body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
The Call of January 25, 1901

MET WITH UNFORTUNATE EVENING

Harry A. Reber, residing on Main Street this borough, was the victim of a very unfortunate accident at Cressona on Tuesday morning
at 3:30 o'clock.  Mr. Reber is a brakeman on a coal train on the P and R road and while engaged in fixing a leak in the air pipe between
the second and third cars to the rear of the engine, the train, without any signal from the engineer, started to move backward.  Mr.
Reber had his left hand resting on the bumpers at the time and the middle and third fingers were caught and held there while the
whole train was pushed back a distance of about twenty feet, he being compelled to keep pace with the cars as they moved along.  
The tremendous pressure against the fingers crushed them into a horrible mass.  Dr. W. Gray was summoned and at first it was
thought amputation would be necessary.  A more thorough examination showed hat the bones of one finger only were broken.  Mr.
Reber is getting along as nicely as can be expected but of course will be unable to work for some time.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                         
The Call of July 21, 1900

KILLED ON THE RAILROAD

Michael Angelo Costanzo, a laborer on the repair force of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, was instantly killed while at work on
Tuesday afternoon, a short distance below this place.  The accident occurred north of McCormick's bridge.  Costanzo had gotten out
of the way of an approaching south bound coal train and was walking up the north bound track in an unconcerned manner.  Owing to
the noise of the passing coal train he did not hear the approach of the passenger train due at this station at 1:07 o'clock, which came
rushing along and struck him.  The bumper of the engine caught him, hurled his body in the air and over a steep embankment forty
feet high.  His body landed on a pile of stones and when picked up every bone in his body was broken and his brains were oozing out
of a whole in his skull.  The remains were taken to Pottsville on the same train that struck him and were later removed to his boarding
place at Fishbach.  The unfortunate man was twenty seven years of age and was a carpenter by trade, but being unable to speak
English he was unsuccessful in securing employment at his occupation and got work on the railroad.  He is survived by his wife and
two children, whom he left in Italy four months ago.                                                                                                                                        
The Call of January 1, 1898

STRUCK BY AN ENGINE

Miss Bertha Clemens, who is living with the family of Cornelius Becker on High Street, was severely injured by being tossed out of a
carriage at the Union Street crossing, by a light P and R engine on Sunday night.  She had spent the day with her parents at Pinegrove
and was on her way home from that place, accompanied by Aaron Detweiler, when the accident occurred.  The view was obstructed by
a number of freight cars and the engine came upon them unexpectedly.  The carriage was mashed into splinters and the occupants
tossed a distance of twenty feet.  The young lady was taken to a nearby residence and later to the home of Mr. Becker.  She remained
in an unconscious state until Monday noon and for a time her life was despaired of.  Her condition at the present time is much better.  
Mr. Detweiler escaped with a few painful bruises.                                                                                                                        
The Call of January 18, 1901

SUIT AGAINST P AND R COMPANY FOR DAMAGES

The case of Miss Bertha Clemens of this place against the Philadelphia and reading Railway Company was called for January 15th at
Philadelphia, but was not heard, it being deferred to a later date.  The case originated from injuries alleged to have been received by
Miss Clemens by being struck by a locomotive on Sunday evening, December 26th, 1897.  On that evening between nine and ten
o'clock, while returning from a drive in company of Aaron B. Detweiler, the carriage was struck by a south bound locomotive drawing
only a caboose at the Union Street crossing, this place.  Miss Clemens was pitched into the air and landed on her head some distance
away.  When picked up she was unconscious and continued in that state for some time. She was removed to the Pottsville Hospital
where she was given treatment for a number of weeks.  Mr. Detweiler also received slight injuries.  The carriage was completely
wrecked.  It is stated that cars, which completely hid a view of the tracks, were standing on the siding and that no watchman was
stationed at the crossing.                                                                                        
The next two articles are related.  A woman is struck by a Reading train and sues for damages three years later...
The Call of October 23, 1897

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

a brakeman and it is supposed that he slipped while in the act of putting on the brakes.  As he was wearing a new pair of shoes this
may account for his falling from the train.  The young man had been working on the railroad but a short time and this was his first
week on the main line.  He was about twenty four years of age and unmarried.  The parents and John B. Garrigan, a well known young
man of town, was instantly killed early Sunday morning near Port Kennedy.  He was family who survive have the sympathy of the
community in this loss of a member of their household.  His funeral took place on Wednesday morning.  The young man was very
popular as was shown by the vast concourse of relatives and friends in attendance.  High mass was celebrated in Saint Ambrose
Church and interment was made in Saint Ambrose Cemetery.
Bernard S. Carr Sr., the second victim, was killed on Wednesday morning about two o’clock, by the Buffalo express a short distance
above Auburn.  He was a flagman on Engine 877, running between Cressona and Reading, and it is supposed that while in the rear of
his train guarding track, he sat on the rail of the north bound track and fell asleep, having had several shifts without any rest.  He was
about fifty two years of age and leaves a wife and large family to mourn his loss.  He had just been transferred from the yard engine at
Cressona to this crew, this being his third trip on this run.  He was well known as a reliable and trustworthy railroader, and was held in
high esteem by both his employers and his fellow employees. employees.                                                                        
The Call of November 20, 1897

KILLED ON THE RAILROADS

Willie Cavanaugh, a lad about fourteen years of age, with a companion, was riding a coal train on Friday afternoon and as is the result
in so many cases, had both legs crushed beneath the wheels near Connor’s Crossing.  He was taken to his home in Pottsville where
he lingered until about midnight when he passed away.  The funeral took place Monday morning.  Mass was celebrated by Reverend
F. J. McGovern at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.  The pupils of the school which he attended were present in a body.
body.                                                                                                                                                
This impressive image shows, what was at the time, the new Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad station at Schuylkill Haven.  The structure looks very much as it
does today as our borough hall.
The Call of July 19, 1901

TROLLEY CAR AFFECTED BLOCK SIGNAL

The discovery was recently made that the trolley cars in town affected the block signal on the P and R Railway near the depot.  The
change of the boards without any train making its appearance was repeatedly noticed and watched until the strange workings of the
signal were associated with the running of the cars.  When there was no train in the block, with the start of the trolley car at the
corner of Main and Saint John Streets the boards in the signal would be turned to white from red and green.  When the car was
stopped at the Saint Peter Street crossing, the boards would return to their original colors, but immediately when the car started they
would again change to white.  Expert electricians of the company were called to examine the peculiar performance of the signals and
it is believed they have discovered and remedied the trouble, which it is said, was caused by escaping current from the trolley
passing through the ground and disturbing or effecting the magnets in the signals.                                                        
The Call of June 21, 1901

LIGHTNING STRIKES TROLLEY CAR

During the storm on Wednesday evening the trolley car from Pottsville due at this place at six o'clock, filled with passengers, was
struck by a bolt of lightning near the turnout.  The car caught fire at both ends and for a time the greatest excitement prevailed.  Some
of the passengers were badly frightened and jumping from the car ran some North Ward merchant, who was aboard the car at the time
had his ankle slightly injured.  The car was badly damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                             
The Call of August 8, 1902

SERIOUSLY INJURED

Edward Gehrig, an employee at the P and R storage yards met with a severe accident Friday.  He was stepping over some rapidly
moving belts at the building in which the coal is cleaned and had a block and tackle over his left shoulder, when the hook of the
tackle caught in the belt and in an instant he was thrown against a heavy railing, which gave way and he fell to the wharf twenty feet
below.  His head and back were seriously injured and several ribs were broken.  He was removed to his home here and at this writing
is well on the way to recovery.                                
The Call of September 23, 1899

DEATH OF SAMUEL REPPHARD

The terrible accident that happened to Samuel Repphard last Monday night occasioned universal sadness and sorrow, more so on
account of his being a dutiful son and principal support of a widowed mother.  He was employed at the storage yard, unloading coal
cars, when by a jar from another car bumping into the one he was on, threw him off and he fell across the tracks and before he could
recover, the wheels passed over both legs above the knees completely severing them from the body.  He was taken to the Pottsville
Hospital but from loss of blood and the severe shock, he died during the night.  His funeral will take place Saturday at 1:30 p. m. from
the residence of his sister, Mrs. Clarence Sterner of Haven Street.  After interment the funeral sermon will be preached by Reverend
Mutch of the United Brethren Church in Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church on Dock Street.
The Call of September 20, 1901

CAR SHOP EMPLOYEE DISCHARGED FOR ALLEGED OFFENSIVE REMARKS

Morris Schneck, of Cressona, employed at the local P and R car shops, was discharged from the service of the company on Monday,
because it is alleged, he made remarks concerning the assassination of President McKinley that were of a very offensive character.  
It appears however, that only one of the bystanders asserts that Mr. Schneck uttered the words attributed to him.  Other workmen,
including the foreman of the department in which Schneck worked, say that what he did say was of an entirely different tone.  That he
would have uttered the offensive words would appear strange from the fact that he is a stalwart Republican and twice voted for
McKinley.  David Runkle, foreman of the shops, stated in an interview that nobody but himself and the company knows the reason for
Mr. Schneck's discharge.  However, the general supposition is that he was discharged for the alleged offensive remarks.                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
The Call of March 4, 1899

ANDY SCHWILK ASSAULTED

Andrew Schwilk, so well known by every citizen of town and particularly liked by the traveling public over the Reading Railroad as an
accommodating and self sacrificing official at the depot as night watchman, was attacked by two men supposed to be tramps last
Saturday and by one of them knocked down.  Had any parties been near to assist Andy, they would have been captured and taught a
lesson, but they escaped by running up the railroad and were lost sight of near the Mine Hill crossing.  Andy recognize his assailant
however, and fully described him to the police.  On Thursday Mr. David Jenkins, a prominent Coal and Iron policeman, brought before
Squire Goas the supposed assailant.  His name was James McNeill and he hails from Port Carbon where he lives with his mother and
works at Eagle Hill Colliery.  As soon as Mr. Schwilk saw him at the Squire's office, he said, "That's the man who struck me."  McNeill
plead not guilty and in default of bail was put up in Fort Levan to await trial at court.   
The Call of March 18, 1899

IT WAS SUCH A FRIENDLY LAUGH

John McNeill pleaded guilty to assault and battery yesterday before Judge Bechtel.  Andrew Schwilk, night watchman at the P & R
station was the prosecutor and when he took the stand to state the fact sin the case he created considerable had warned a crowd of
intruders away from the station.  In answer to Mr. Whalen's questions, he said, referring to McNeill, "He laughed in my face and it was
such a friendly laugh that I did not think He was going to strike me.  The next thing he knocked me down and loosened my teeth.  He
didn't strike me but once.  That was enough."  For his friendly laugh and other things, Judge Bechtel sentenced McNeill to pay the
costs, a five dollar fine and serve four months.                                                                                                                                       
The next two articles relate the story of an assault on a Reading
Railroad employee and the subsequent legal proceedings....
The Call of March 9, 1906

LEG CUT OFF

Last Friday night, Thomas Carr of Schuylkill Haven, a brakeman employed by the P and R Company, had his left leg cut off weeks, was
in the act of uncoupling one car from another.  He was leaning out over the side of a large "battleship" as the cars are termed, when
an oncoming train on the west track knocked him beneath the wheels of his own train.  A car passed over his leg just below the knee,
horribly mangling it.  He was picked up in a semi unconscious condition.  Dr. Frank McWilliams was summoned, who dressed the injury
temporarily and accompanied the injured man to the Pottsville Hospital on a special train.  The injured leg had to be amputated.  Carr
is nineteen years of age and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Carr.  His father is a well known railroader.           
The Call of March 16, 1906

A NARROW ESCAPE

Englebert Geiger, one of our oldest citizens, had a narrow escape from a horrible death on Monday morning.  Mr. Geiger was on his
way up town and when he reached the Main Street P and R crossing, the gates were down to let the "Flyer" pass.  Thinking he could
get by before the train, Mr. Geiger went around the gates and was just in the act of stepping across the rails when the train came
along and one of the cylinders of the big locomotive struck him and threw him clear of the tracks.  Landlord John Binckley and John
Zulick, who were eyewitnesses to the accident rushed to Mr. Geiger's assistance.  They picked him up and found him uninjured.  He
was somewhat dazed but recovered in a moment and went on his way.                                                                                                                                             
The Call of March 23, 1906

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MINE HILL

By the collision at Mine Hill crossing of Storage Yard Engine Number 93 going south and an empty coal train bound north about 8:30
o'clock last evening, Engineer William Stauffer of the storage yard engine was fatally injured and both locomotives were badly
dismantled.  The collision occurred at a frog which threw the two engines together so that they sideswiped each other.  Mr. Stauffer's
engine was struck on the right side and the cab was completely torn off.  Mr. Stauffer was crushed in the wreckage and badly scalded
from steam from a broken pipe.  He also inhaled steam.  The within a couple of hours time.  Immediately after the wreck Dr. Frank
McWilliams of town and Dr. James C. Gray of Cressona were summoned.  Dr. McWilliams arrived first and administered temporary
relief to Engineer Stauffer and Dr. Gray came shortly afternoon a special car and removed the injured man to his home at Cressona
where he died at two o'clock this morning, having never regained consciousness.  Mr. Stauffer was forty eight years of age and is
survived by his wife and two sons, Harry who is employed at the P. and R. Cressona office and William, a telegraph operator at West
Woods.                    
The Call of June 1, 1906

SUIT TO RECOVER BENEFITS

The suit in which Francis Binckley of Schuylkill Haven
seeks to recover $1000 in damages from the P. & R.
Railway Company for the death of his son, John D., who
was fatally injured on the Mine Hill Railroad at Schuylkill
1893, while in the performance of his duties as
brakeman was tried in Court this week before Judge
Marr.  The suit is to recover the amount the deceased
was entitled to as a member of the Relief Association,
and which the company refused to pay on the alleged
drink when injured.  This the plaintiff denies.  Honorable
C. N. Brumm, G. W. Gise and W. F. Shepherd
represented the plaintiff and John F. Whalen the
defendant.                                                                                
The Call of September 28, 1906

BINCKLEY CASE CONTINUES

The case of Francis Binckley against the P. & R.  Relief
Association and in which a disagreement was rendered some
months ago is again on trial in court, a new trial having been
granted.  The case is to recover $600 with interest, a death claim
with interest making the total $887.33.                                                                                                    
            
The following articles involve an accident on the
Reading Railroad and the subsequent legal wrangling...
The Call of March 8, 1907

THREE FATALITIES IN ONE WEEK

There were three fatalities on the railroads in this vicinity last week, Harry Zimmerman of Dormers, a P. & R. brakeman fell from his
train beneath the wheels and was ground to pieces at Mine Hill crossing.  Anthony Wrda, an Italian employed at the storage yard, was
struck and killed near the Union Knitting Mills, W. P. Richards, of Pottsville, a Pennsy fireman, got off his train to go back with a flag at
a point opposite Connor's and was struck by the flyer and killed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                        
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 having drenched him to the skin.                              
                                                                                                                                          
The Call of September 30, 1904

LEG CRUSHED BY COAL CARS

Stephen Cole of Landingville, who is employed at the P and R storage yards, had his leg badly crushed below the knee Wednesday
afternoon, which necessitated its amputation.  He was riding to Schuylkill Haven on a trip of empty cars and when in front of the P and
R station he slipped in getting off and fell with his one leg across the rail.  Before he could withdraw the limb it was caught by the
wheels and badly crushed.  Harry Coldren, who has charge of the freight house, saw the man fall and rushed to his assistance and
dragged him from the track.  An engine which had come up from Reading on a trial trip was pressed into service and the injured man
was taken to the Pottsville Hospital.  Dr. Harry Dechert temporarily dressed the injury before the man was taken to Pottsville.  
The Call of September 28, 1906

BOTH LEGS CUT OFF

A runaway draft of cars at the storage yard on Tuesday afternoon crashed into the yard engine, made a bad wreck, and injured two
men; R. W. Wertz of Cressona, the fireman, and John Confehr of town, a brakeman.  So great was the force of the collision that the
locomotive was lifted up onto the tender and was badly wrecked, while some of the runaway cars the collision that the locomotive was
lifted up onto the tender and was badly wrecked, while some of the runaway cars were reduced to kindling wood.  Fireman Wertz was
sitting on the tank of the engine and was caught in the wreckage and had both legs practically twisted off.  A relief train went down
from here bearing Dr. C. Lenker and Reverend D. M. Moser.  Fireman Wertz was removed to Pottsville Hospital and brakeman Confehr
to his home here and was taken charge by Dr. Lessig.  His injuries consist of a cut on the head, bruised shoulder and steam burns.               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
The Call of January 25, 1907

LIFE CRUSHED OUT

William Martin, aged twenty one years, was instantly killed Wednesday morning at the storage yards of the P. and R. Company by being
squeezed between cars.  Deceased was a resident of Danville.  He boarded at Cressona.  The body was removed to the rooms of
Undertaker McHenry and was later shipped to the home of his parents in Danville.  Deputy Coroner Gray held an inquest and the jury
formed a verdict in accordance with the facts.             
The Call of April 10, 1903

KILLED BY PENNSY "FLYER"

Antonio Tutz, an Italian employed as a track repairer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, was instantly killed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
"flyer" Saturday afternoon.  The man was at work and owing to the high wind did not hear the train until it was close upon him.  He was
struck by the engine and killed instantly.  He just lived below town and was about forty years old.  Dr. Dechert, the deputy coroner,
empanelled the following jury which rendered a verdict of accidental death: C. W. Horning, G. H. Alspach, Samuel Siegfried, B. W.
Farley, John Mourie and Ellis Nyce.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
           
The Call of July 14, 1905

LOST HIS FOOT

Robert Reber, six year old son of Robert Reber of Spring Garden, had his right foot taken off by the freight train at the Pennsy station
Tuesday afternoon.  The afternoon freight going north was on the siding to allow the 5:22 p. m. accommodation train from Philadelphia
to go by.  After the passenger train had gone, the freight pulled out and young Reber and his companions ran along side of the train
tagging the cars.  Reber tripped over a switch lever, fell headlong to the ground and rolled to one side throwing his right leg over the
rail where it was instantly crushed beneath the wheels of the rapidly moving train.  The train was stopped and Dr. J. A. Lessig was
summoned.  He dressed the lads injuries and sent him on the freight train to the Pottsville Hospital where the leg was amputated
below the knee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of June 15, 1906

TROLLEY WRECKS

The Orwigsburg trolley car which left Schuylkill Haven at eleven o'clock Monday morning jumped the track at the school house about
a mile below town.  Motorman Sowers, who had charge of the car, had his arm broken in two places and was later whose name could
not be learned, a commercial traveler, was thrown off the car into the Schuylkill River and escaped with a complete drenching. The
scene of the accident is on a curve at the foot of a steep incline and it is later removed to the Pottsville Hospital.  Conductor Quinn
had his back injured but declined to go to the hospital.  A Traffic on the Orwigsburg line was at a standstill for the balance of the day,
owing principally to the fact that one of the passenger whose name could not be learned, a commercial traveler, was thrown off the
car into the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville cars picked a switch at Seven Stars turnout and had to be replaced on
the tracks before the wreck crew could get down to the submerged car.  In the meantime the other Orwigsburg car had to run
between Schuylkill Haven and Seven Stars where passengers to and from Pottsville were transferred.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Schuylkill Haven and Seven
The Call of April 18, 1913

NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING CRUSHED

John Devan,of Schuylkill Haven, employed at the P and R car shops had a narrow escape from being crushed to death Friday
afternoon.  Mr. Devan was at work neath a heavy wooden car which was supported by stilts.  He happened to be the only workman of
the gang that was neath the car.  While at work Mr. Devan had sort of a premonition or idea that he had better get from under the car,
he paid no attention to the same and continued his work.  Again he received a sort of definite reason why he did so.  Hardly had he
crawled from neath the heavy car when a crash that could be heard for some distance, the car dropped to the platform.  Fellow
employees and foremen for a while turned pale and stood aghast, others hurried from the scene, all being of the opinion Mr. Devan
was crushed to death under the car.  The suspense was terrible and just as one
of the men was about to make an investigation, Mr. Devan walked around the car from the other side to which he had crawled but a
moment before and dispelled the fears of his fellow workmen.  Several employees were so wrought up over the occurrence that it
was with difficulty they continued at their work.  As might be expected, Mr. Devan having such a close call from death was also badly
scared and he discontinued for the day.                                        
The Call of May 9, 1913

HAD NARROW ESCAPE

Monday morning about 11:45 o'clock two children of a foreign family residing on "Goat Hill' returning from school had a narrow escape
from being run down with the 11:26 south bound passenger train.  The children walked along the north bound tracks for a distance of
about eighty feet and stepping across the tracks as the north bound P and R train passed them when they were on the railroad
bridge, stepped directly in the path of the south bound train.  The engineer blew a sharp blast, applied his brakes and turned his head
away expecting that he would hit them.  Bystanders attracted by the sharp and sudden blast of the engine looked in the direction of
the train and shuddered as they saw the narrow escape the children had from being ground to pieces.  The escape certainly was a
narrow one.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of May 16, 1913

KILLED ON THE RAIL

Clarence Irwing, better known as "Patsy", a young man twenty one years of age, was instantly killed at Mine Hill crossing, early
Thursday morning, by stepping in front of Engine 890 on which he was working.  His neck was broken and he was Pottsville, from
which place it was taken to his home in Newton.  "Patsy's" stay in Cressona was short.  He came here last summer as a pitcher on the
Tiger's baseball team and later secured a position on the railroad and then made his home here.  His bosom friend, William Leininger,
with whom he came here last year, was one of the first men to arrive on the scene of the accident.  He saw a lamp fly and immediately
knew that something was wrong and later discovered that his friend was the victim of the sad accident.  The funeral services will be
held at Newton on Sunday.  A special train will be run from here, the crew of which are all men who offered their services.  A sad part
of the accident was the fact that he was to have been tried out on the Athletic baseball team of the American League on the twenty
sixth of this month, to which time he was anxiously looking forward.
The news of the sad accident spread about the town like wild fire and many were the expressions of sorrow made by his innumerable
friends here.  He was known to everyone in town and was highly esteemed.  Besides the parents several sisters survive.  The
accident occurred in one of those unlooked for and unpreventable ways.  Irwing was walking along the track while a train was passing
on the opposite track.  He failed to hear the approach of his own engine until toolate to reach a place of safety.  The picture of the
deceased given here is taken from a picture of the Cressona ball team of last year on which he was an invaluable member.  On
account of the late date it was impossible to have the same properly enlarged.  W. Leininger, whose picture is also shown to the left
of Manager William Grover, who occupies the center, was the close friend of Irwing, he secured him a berth on the Cressona team
and a position in our town.  He was also an eyewitness to the terrible accident.                                                        
The Call of July 31, 1914

AUTO STRUCK BY TROLLEY

Monday morning an automobile owned by a Pottsville party was struck by the 10:30 trolley as it rounded the curve at the corner of
Main and Dock Streets.  The driver of the machine was too close to the track and when the rear end of the car swung around the
curve it smashed into the running board and mud guard of the machine, damaging it to quite some extent.  The machine was a brand
new seven passenger car. Either the driver of the car was on the wrong hand side of the street or the motorman, as is very often the
case, did not sound the alarm until at the curve.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                      
The Call of August 21, 1914

TROLLEY INJURES TOWN MAN

Wednesday evening after alighting from the five o'clock car, corner of Main and Saint John streets, Frank Reed of Union Street began
to walk alongside of the car on his way towards saint John Street.  The car started and in rounding the curve the rear end swung
around and struck Mr. Reed.  He was thrown to the bricked street and fell upon his dinner can.  As the car swung, the step went over
him pinning him upon the dinner pail.  He was picked up and taken to his home.  He is unable to go to work.                                                                                                 
                                                                                       
The Call of September 15, 1916

AUTO AND TROLLEY COLLIDE

An auto owned by Thomas Stauffer of Friedensburg and a trolley car in charge of motorman Thomas McGovern and conductor Oscar
Bicht, figured in a collision yesterday morning at Hoy's corner.  The auto occupied by Mrs. Stauffer, Miss Stauffer and Miss Mae
Berger attempted to pass between the car and a telephone pole while both were in motion.  Any other car but a Ford car would have
been crushed beyond repair, but after the trolley was backed, the "little Ford ran along", although the body and fenders were badly
damaged.  The occupants of the auto, although badly scared, escaped injury.  They were coming from Friedensburg and intended on
leaving the car here while they went to the Reading Fair.  The car was taken to Bittler's garage for repairs.                                                  
The Call of June 11, 1915

WOMAN FALLS FROM LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD BRIDGE

This morning about eleven o'clock, an unknown woman fell or jumped from the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge near Connor's crossing
to the state road below, a distance of over one hundred feet.  She fell directly in front of the auto truck of Guy Payne of Pottsville,
enroute to Pottsville on the state road.  The body was placed in the truck and brought to Schuylkill Haven.  Dr. A. H. Detweiler made a
hasty examination and advised her immediate removal to the Pottsville Hospital.  Her condition was such that it was thought she
would hardly be alive when the institution was reached.
The woman was attired in black and appeared to be of foreign nationality.  Passengers on the trolley leaving Schuylkill Haven at 10:30
noticed the woman on the bridge and remarked it was a very dangerous place for her.  Reports from the hospital shortly before going
to press were to the effect that very slight hopes were entertained for her recovery.  She states her name is Anne Schwenck.  She
suffers from profound shock, severe fractures of the right arm and right leg and internal injuries.
Later reports are to the effect that the woman is Miss Anne Geschwindt of Garfield Avenue.  Her relatives while they at this writing
had not viewed the body, they feel sure from the description given and from the fact that she is missing from her home, that it is she.      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
The Call of August 20, 1915

TRAIN STRIKES AUTO OF MRS. RALPH DEIBERT

The Lehigh Valley train due in Schuylkill Haven at 11:30, while backing from the Lehigh tracks to the Pennsylvania tracks near the
Almshouse, on the road to Orwigsburg, struck the auto of Mrs. Ralph Deibert this morning.  A serious and fatal accident was averted
by the narrowest margin.  The machine was struck by the step of the lead passenger coach and had it been making a fair rate of speed
the occupants of the machine would surely been killed or injured.  The train pushed aside the machine but badly damaged it, breaking
the two front wheels, the windshield, the springs, top and hood.  It is almost a complete wreck.
The accident was witnessed by Mr. Lewis Hoy who was approaching the crossing but hearing the alarm of the air whistle stopped his
truck thinking the train was close at hand.  Just as he brought his truck to a stop Mrs. Deibert, who evidently failed to hear the
whistle, passed him and just as the machine reached the tracks the rear of the train came around the curve.  Before she could cross
the rear of the train had caused the above damage, Mrs. Deibert and the occupants of the machine suffered considerably from shock.   
                                                                                                             
The Call of July 21, 1916

CRESSONA GIRL ASSAULTED

A girl by the name of Sticher, residing at Cressona, was the victim of an attempted criminal assault on Wednesday evening last.  The
attempted assault occurred but a short distance above the "J" office in town.  According to the reports, the girl had been to Pottsville
and came to Schuylkill Haven on the jitney arriving here shortly before eleven o'clock.  She started to walk up the railroad and when
near the above mentioned spot was accosted by the man who sprang out from the side of a car and caught hold of her.  Miss Sticher
put up a brave fight and succeeded in tearing herself away from the man.  Calling at the top of her voice she ran across the bridge to
the Main Street crossing.
Her cries of "murder, tramps", were heard as far as Saint Peter Street.  Men rushed from saloons and private homes to answer the
appeal for help.  The girl was found in a highly nervous condition and hardly able to make known her adventure.   Her hair was
disarranged and her clothing torn.  Search was made for the man but he had carefully covered his tracks and disappeared.  Several
bystanders volunteered to accompany the girl home which they did.                                                                                                                                
The Call of July 17, 1914

"FLYER" KILLS ASSISTANT FOREMAN

John Bojack, a foreigner residing on "Goat Hill" was killed Thursday morning just above the Mine Hill crossing.  A work gang was
operating on this section of track.  Upon the approach of the "flyer", the men left the track.  One of the men left a jack sticking in
under the track.  Bojack noticing it endeavored to get it out before the train reached the point, but misjudging the speed with which
the train was approaching could not get out of the way in time.  The train hit the jack and the jack in turn struck Bojack a terrific blow
of the back of the head crushing in the entire upper portion of his skull.
He was hurried to his home on the hill nearby and Dr. Heim summoned.  Upon the arrival of the physician he pronounced life extinct,
death having occurred almost immediately after being struck.
Bojack was an unusual character.  He was a most esteemed citizen being enabled to talk English very fluently.  He was a valuable
employee of the P and R Company and considered and held in high honor by his fellow countrymen not only in this town but in the
surrounding towns.  He was of a quiet disposition, law abiding and when his fellow countrymen occasionally became boisterous or
unruly, his influence over them almost immediately pacified them.  His sudden death has caused great sorrow among his fellow
workmen and the residents of "Goat Hill".  Members of the gang in which he worked discontinued their labors upon learning of his
death and it is probable they will refrain from work until after his burial.  Besides the grief stricken widow, six children, three boys and
three girls survive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of January 16, 1914

ARRESTED FOR LOAFING

That the Philadelphia and Reading will insist that the continual loafing and loitering at the local station must be stopped was very
forcibly demonstrated upon a number of the town's young men last Saturday afternoon.  Five were taken in tow by Officer Butz upon
complaint of the P and R officials and placed in the borough coop.  They were compelled to remain in the coop for several hours or
until Officer Duffy of the P and R company arrived in town to make or bring the charges.  The hearing was held before squire C. A.
Moyer Saturday evening.  The boys were paid and made to pay the cost.  Total amount paid by each one was three dollars. A fair
warning is issued by the P and R company that all persons hereafter caught loitering or loafing in or about the local station will be
dealt with according to the law.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of January 16, 1914

HAD NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

Edward Eiler, conductor of a main line P and R freight, had a narrow escape from being ground to pieces by his own train the latter
part of last week.  In an attempt to jump on the engine of his train his foot slipped on the step and he fell heavily to the side of the
tracks,missing falling neath the train by the narrowest margin.  He sustained a badly wrenched back, a torn ligament in his leg and a
number of body bruises.  He continued in his work until "down the road" a good distance when he consulted a physician who advised
his immediate removal to his home.  His condition is much approved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
         
The Call of April 2, 1909

ORPHAN STRUCK BY TRAIN

John Martin, an orphan boy aged about sixteen years, was run over by a shifting engine at the "J" office late Saturday afternoon and
had the bones and flesh of his right foot crushed and splintered.  The lad recently accepted a position with William Ball at his Main
Street meat market and was very well liked by his employer and patrons.  About four o'clock Haven.  At the "J" office he attempted to
board the shifter to ride part way to his home and missing his step his foot landed on the rail and in a moment was crushed to a
shapeless mass at the instep.  The lad was removed to Pottsville Hospital where the injured limb was amputated above the ankle.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
The Call of February 9, 1917

CAR OF DYNAMITE IN WRECK

A slight wreck occurred Tuesday morning about three o'clock on the Mine Hill Railroad, about midway between Cressona and Mine Hill
crossing.  An engine, running tank first, with a caboose attached, ran into a number of cars that had been thrown on the main track by
a shifter.  Fortunately no one was injured as several of the crew riding in the caboose  jumped before it was reduced to kindling wood
in the crash.  It is said that in the train of cars that was run into, was a car loaded with dynamite, more than sufficient to blow up the
entire town of Cressona.  The wreck car from Palo Alto was brought down and by noon the wreck was cleared away.  The cause of the
accident is unknown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of February 9, 1917

KILLED AT MINE HILL CROSSING

Injuries received during the severe storm of Monday morning, proved fatal for Tony Zingo of town, less then a half hour following the
accident.  Tony, with a number of his fellow countrymen, were at work at about 6:30 o'clock cleaning the switches of snow at Mine Hill
crossing.  His cap was pulled down over his ears and he did not hear the approach of a shifting engine.  He was struck and knocked
down, his body falling face downward on the outside of the rails and his legs between the rails.  The wheels of the engine passed
over him, severing both legs at the ankle, then rolling the body and again passing over both legs between the knee and the hip.  He
was discovered by his fellow countrymen and carried to one of the offices.  No time was lost placing him on a stretcher and then in a
caboose and he was rushed to the Pottsville Hospital.  The ambulance was at the Pottsville station awaiting the arrival of the injured
man but when he was about to be removed, the ambulance physician discovered that he was dead.
The body was then brought back to Schuylkill Haven and taken in charge by O. A. Bittle.  At the morgue it was washed and prepared
for burial before being taken to his home in the West Ward.  Zingo has been a resident of Schuylkill Haven for the past fifteen years or
more.  For a time he was employed at the Reading shops but sometime ago accepted a position as track walker under William
Breininger.  he leaves to survive a widow and five children, in town, and one sister living in Hazleton.  The widow is about to become
a mother and it is feared that the shock of her husband's death may result seriously with her.  Zingo was well known about the town
and well liked by both his own nationality and others.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of February 22, 1918

TICKET AGENT STOPS RUNAWAY GIRL

Ticket agent Howard W. Stager played the part of a Sherlock Holmes on Sunday night.  He was given a meager description of a sixteen
year old high school girl of Williamstown, said to be Anna Ralph and who was supposed to be headed this way and was on her way to
Philadelphia.  When the Mine Hill passenger train pulled into the local station, Mr. stager accosted the young lady and called her by
name.  He invited her into the ticket office where he made her believe that she was being watched by an officer and she should make
no attempt to escape.  The girl burst into tears, until her relatives at Williamstown were communicated with.  Upon her promise to
return home, the girl was taken to the Holmhurst where she remained until Monday morning and then boarded the first train for
Williamstown.  It is said that the girl left home on account of a family misunderstanding.                                                                        
The Call of June 29, 1917

FRACTURED FOOT TO SAVE LIFE

Fracturing his foot to save his life, was the experience of William H. Hoover of Hegins, who for sometime past has been a resident of
Schuylkill Haven, stopping at the Columbia Hotel.  Hoover is employed at the storage yard.  This week he was at work on a high trestle
when he accidentally fell and landed in a chute.  Feet first he was going rapidly down the chute to an opening that would have allowed
him to drop a distance of nearly fifty feet to rocks below.  With presence of mind, he placed his foot against a cross piece just at the
opening and saved himself from the fall.  The sudden stop resulted in the fracturing of his foot at the ankle.  He was brought to town
where a local physician dressed the injury when he was removed to his home.                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of January 26, 1917

TROLLEY AND GROCERY TEAM COLLIDE

The 8:30 trolley bound for Orwigsburg struck the green grocery team of W. J. Fisher near the Baker Ice Plant on Friday morning.  Both
Mr. Fisher and his driver were thrown out, the horse injured and the wagon badly damaged.  The milk team driven by Lester Bowen,
being in the vicinity of the accident, took fright and ran away and was not caught until it reached Fairmount.  Several fences were
knocked down by the Bowen team and a number of other collisions with teams and pedestrians narrowly averted in the mad dash of
the Bowen horse.  Lester Bowen was badly injured and had to be removed to his home.  It was thought he was internally injured.                      
                             
The Call of October 10, 1919

PAINTERS FIRED

Several of the painters of the gang at work on the Lehigh Valley bridge received their discharge the fore part of the week.  It appears
that during the absence of the boss and several of the other workmen at the Allentown Fair, the remaining members held quite a
regular "Midnight Frolic" one afternoon.  The names of several girls from the heart of town are mentioned being present with scant
attire about them, doing more than the jazz dance.  The men demanded pay for the time thus spent and when refused became
abusive.  An official from Easton was notified of the conditions and the fore part of the week ordered the discharge of several of the
men.                                                                        
The Call of October 29, 1920

SKULL CRACKED IN AUTO CRASH

Harry Dietrich, a well known farmer residing south of Friedensburg sustained a cracked skull and broken ribs on Tuesday evening
when his auto truck was struck by the six o'clock trolley car out of Schuylkill Haven.  The accident occurred in front of the residence
of George Rauch on Dock Street.  Whether Mr. Dietrich sustained the injury by being hurled to the bricked street or being struck by
the flying pieces of trolley and auto truck has not been determined.  The crash was heard for squares.  The man was picked up in an
unconscious condition and taken into the home of Mrs. Shirley. Several physicians were summoned and upon their arrival
administered to his injuries.  He was taken to the Pottsville Hospital.  An operation was performed Wednesday.  At this writing his
condition was very much improved and it is not thought the injuries will prove fatal.  Oscar Bicht was the motorman on the trolley.  the
truck was in the center of the tracks and windshield and top of the truck which was a closed one were broken.  That the motorman
escaped injury was a remarkable as a long pointed piece of the top of the truck crashed through the front window and into the car
proper in an exact line with his head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
The Call of October 22, 1920

TROLLEY STRUCK AUTO

Another one of the expected half hour accidents at the corner of Dock and Main Streets occurred Tuesday afternoon about four
o'clock when a north bound trolley car struck the Ford Coupe driven by Miss Horn and occupied by her mother, both of Pottsville.  
That that accident did not result more seriously was due to the quick action of the driver, Miss Horn.  The car struck the left fender
with such force as to throw the car against the tree on the Detweiler property on Main Street.  The car mounted the pavement and
only by a quick turn did the auto miss striking the pole on the Reed property with terrific force.  One of the fenders was broken and
the steering gear put out of commission.  The driver of the car claimed the motorman had not given any kind of a signal of his
approach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of September 24, 1920

TROLLEY CAR HIT FARMERS HORSE THIS MORNING

The 10:50 trolley going south on Main Street this morning struck the horse and wagon of Peter M. Reed, the well known Reedsville
farmer, with such force that the horse was thrown on to the pavement and doorway of the W. H. Finner grocery store.  The wheels of
the wagon were badly sprained and the box of the wagon split apart.  The horse was bruised about the hind legs sufficiently to
probably make it unfit for service in the vicinity of trolley cars.  Mr. Reed was uninjured.  Bystanders who witnessed the accident state
the car was moving at a rapid rate, entirely too rapidly for safety.  The motorman claims the brakes of the car would not hold.  He used
a considerable amount of sand but to no avail and the car struck the wagon a smashing blow which was heard for several squares.  
We have been expecting a larger number and more serious accidents on our Main street in connection with the trolley cars and
flagrant violations of traffic laws by trolleymen and autoists as well.  One of these days we surely will have a fatal accident to report
and then probably our local authorities will wake up and enforce the traffic laws.                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                      
The Call of July 9, 1920

MAIN STREET COVERED WITH FRUIT

There was a grinding noise and then a smash and Main Street in front of the Dechert property was covered with watermelons,
cantaloupes and potatoes, Friday afternoon about three o'clock.  It resulted from the three o'clock south bound trolley in charge of
Motorman Quinn and Conductor Butz colliding with a five ton auto truck filled to the top.  The auto was proceeding north.  The driver
had not reckoned with the limb of a tree which it is understood came in contact with the top of the machine and prevented the driver
from pulling far enough to the side.  The trolley tore the rear portion of the top of the truck from its fastenings and scattered the best
part of the load in the street.  Neither Messrs. C. Waugh and Frank Waugh of Philadelphia, the drivers, were injured.  The truck was
transporting thirty nine barrels of potatoes, four hundred watermelons, and twenty five cases of cantaloupes from Jesse Pitt,
Commission Merchant in Philadelphia to Merchant Sylvester of Pottsville.  They left the city Thursday evening at six o'clock and had
not met with an accident until four miles from their destination.  However, the men had twice lost their way on account of detours.  
They in some way got over in Lebanon and after Lebanon again lost their way.  Portion of the fruit was taken to Pottsville on the big
truck, it not having been damaged to any great extent.  The balance was placed in the Faust truck and taken to Pottsville.  A number of
melons that were split open found welcoming hands and watering mouths of youngsters who soon gathered.   
The Call of May 28, 1920

TROLLEY STRUCK TEAM

Friday the horse of Mrs. William Wildermuth residing on a farm above Killian's Dam became unmanageable on Dock Street and refused
to stop when ordered to do so.  The horse turned to the side to avoid walking into an auto standing near the Bubeck store.  Just as it
turned toward the trolley tracks, the trolley happened by and struck the wagon and threw the horse to one side.  The animal dashed
down the street and turned down Berger Street.  Here it struck the porch of the homes of this street and almost tore them loose.  It
came to a stop none the less the worse for its experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
The Call of September 12, 1919

ATTEMPT MADE TO BURN CAR SHOPS

A bold and brazen attempt was made to set fire to the P. and R. car repair shops at this place on Monday evening.  Had the incipient
blaze not been discovered in time, there is reason to believe a disastrous event might have resulted.  Night watchman Oswald in
making his rounds in the vicinity of the oil house around 8:30 o'clock noticed a glare through the windows of this particular
department.  Upon closer investigation he discovered a blaze in the middle of the floor.  Quickly summoning the engine crew and the
other shop men, the blaze was extinguished.  While in the act of doing so, two men in the oil house at the time made their escape.  
The watchmen not being armed could do nothing to prevent their escape.  The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Police were
promptly notified and remained all night on the clues furnished but up to this writing had yet to land their men.  One of the men is said
to have worn a light suit and an overcoat, the other a brown suit and a cap.  The north bound train crew reported having passed two
men in the vicinity of the Red Bridge, answering this description, on the run towards Landingville and officers have been busy for the
past two days chasing down leads.  Company officers and police in nearby cities have also been notified to be on the lookout for the
men answering this description.  The fire was discovered in the packing department of the oil house.  The announcement of the
attempt to fire the industry that gives employment to near three hundred men, struck terror and fear into the hearts of everyone as it
recalled to mind the disastrous fire at these shops the latter part of November 1910.  People on the past Tuesday remarked that they
worried if the fire bugs on Monday night had succeeded in their object of destroying this industry the company may not have rebuilt
the same and Schuylkill Haven would have lost one of its most valuable industries.
The Call of September 12, 1919

FOUR REAL HOBOES ARRESTED

P. and R. C. and I. Officer McDonald took into camp four hoboes on Wednesday morning that for real specimens of the tramp type no
vaudeville artist in all his ridiculous makeup ever had anything on them.  One was a negro and the other three were white men.  
Outside of being dirty with unshaven faces and disheveled and long hair, their clothing was a mess.  One of the men had no shirt and
we doubt if any had any underclothing.  Shoes were in very bad shape and their trousers just about hung together.  They certainly
were rough looking characters.  They were taken from a boxcar standing along the railroad in the West Ward.  One of them stated that
they were circus hands and had gotten into a mixup and were fired.  They were on their way to Philadelphia.  They were taken to
Pottsville and lodged in jail.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of January 2, 1920

NINE STITCHES FOR HIS EAR

Nine stitches were required to fasten the lobe of Charles Graeff's ear to the remaining portion and nine more stitches were required
to close a wound back of the ear.  The wounds were sustained when he was struck by pieces of glass from a whiskey bottle thrown in
a row of some sailors on "Number Nine" arriving here last Wednesday evening.  The affair took place below Reading.  When Reading
was reached the sailors were placed under arrest.  Graeff was sent to a considered on duty at the time.  He had not taken any part in
the mixup but got the worst end of the same anyway.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of January 30, 1920

MANY ATTEND P. & R. VETERANS BANQUET

Quite a number of Schuylkill Haven men attended the twelfth annual banquet and entertainment of the Veteran Employees Association
of the Philadelphia and Reading Company in Philadelphia on Saturday.  The event was held in the Scottish Rite Hall.  There were
between 1200 and 1300 members present together with a number of guests, officials of the company.  During the year, thirty one
members of the Association departed this life.  
Following the business session, the banquet was served.  The menu was as follows: Grapefruit, Pickles, Olives, Mock Turtle Soup,
Sweet Bread Cutlet, Peas, Filet of Beef, Brown Sauce, Glace Sweet Potatoes, Browned Potatoes, Cold Sliced Ham, Potato salad, Ice
Cream and Ices, Fancy Cakes, Rolls and Butter, Coffee, Cigars and Cigarettes.
The program under the personal direction of Frank Donnelly was as follows: Overture, Berg Orchestra, Novel entertainers, MacCarton
and Morrone, Fun and Melody, Three Harmony Boys, Broadway Stars, Frances Hains and Company, Comedy and Talking, Carson and
Willard.  Among those known to have been present from town were Frank Reed, William Heim, George Fullerton, Elmer Hartranft,
Thomas Goas, Samuel Shoener, Charles Deibler, John Confehr, Frank Eiler, Joseph Borda, Zachariah Snyder, Fred Jacoby, B. F.
Oswald, Jacob Shadel, Daniel Womer, Milton Deibert, Charles Becker, Clarence Snyder, David Runkle, Gideon Nyce, Charles Reichert,
Mr. Burns, John Coller, Albert Brommer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of July 18, 1919

FORMER TOWN MAN KILLED

Irwin S. Reber, aged thirty nine, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, recently of Pottsville, met death on the railroad near Mine Hill crossing
under such circumstances early Saturday morning, that it is thought he met with foul play.  His body, the both legs having been
severed, was found lying along the tracks shortly after one o'clock by a Schuylkill Haven crew, a short distance above the Mine Hill
crossing.  He was brought to Schuylkill Haven and placed on the Buffalo and taken to the Pottsville Hospital.  He died about two hours
later.
To the authorities at the hospital he stated he had been thrown under a train.  His words were, "Two bums threw me under the train."  
Search of his clothing and body revealed the fact that a large sum of money which it was known he had information that could be
gotten from him was the above statement.  An investigation is underway but up to this time, no trace of the men alleged to have
attacked him has been learned.  It is known he attended the block party in town Friday evening and after having lunch at Cafe
Kauffman, spent some time at the Main Street crossing talking with the watchman and some friends.  He left the crossing between
midnight and one o'clock and began walking up the railroad.
Deceased was born in Cressona.  He resided in this place for a number of years.  He also lived at Allentown and Jersey City.  He
resided in Pottsville since last October.  He was unmarried.  He was connected with a number of fraternal organizations and was well
known about town.  He was employed at the Saint Clair shops.  Besides his mother, Mrs. Amanda Reber of Berne Street, these
brothers and sisters survive: Howard of Main Street, Schuylkill Haven; Morris, Bright, Foster and Lincoln, the latter two being in the
service, now in France, Miss Mabel Reber and Mrs. George Roeder of town and Mrs. Albert Fessler of Leesport also survive.  The
funeral took place Tuesday from the home of his brother, Howard on Main Street.  Services were conducted by the Reverend E. G.
Leinbach.  The bearers were his three brothers and brother in law, namely Howard, Morris and Bright Reber and George Roeder.  C.
G. Wagner was the funeral director.                                                                                                                                                                                                
The Call of September 5, 1919

MOTHER INJURED SAVING SON

Mrs. Emma May Sharp, while walking along the railroad
towards the station accompanied by her son Wilbur to catch
the 6:42 p. m. train south, was run over by train Number 215
in charge of Engineman Slattery and conductor A. O. Wilson.  
It appears that when they saw the passenger train coming,
the son ran across the tracks and the mother in trying to get
him out of harm's way, was herself caught and dragged
under the train.  Engineman Slattery sounded the shrill
whistle and applied the brakes but although making a good
stop, the engine and the two coaches ran over the
unfortunate woman.  She was picked up and placed in a
cabin car attached to Engine 956 and taken to the Pottsville
Hospital.  She sustained a cut above her left eye and her two
legs were cut off below the knees.  Mrs. Sharp was keeping
house for Roy Delong for several years
The Call of September 12, 1919

MET WITH FATAL ACCIDENT

As the result of being struck and run over by a passenger train at
this place on Wednesday evening of last week, Mrs. Emma Mae
Sharp, of Reading, died at the Pottsville Hospital on Saturday.  She
and her four year old son Wilbur were on their way to visit relatives
youngster seeing the train approaching, became frightened and
made his way toward the tracks.  The frightened and made his way
toward the tracks.  The mother succeeded in getting her son to
safety but was caught by the train herself.  Both her legs were
caught by the train herself.  Both her legs were by the train herself.
 Both her legs were mangled below the knees and they were
amputated at below the knees and they were amputated at the the
Pottsville Hospital, shortly after her arrival there.  Pottsville
Hospital, shortly after her arrival there.  she she sustained several
body bruises.  Mrs. Sharp, who sustained several body bruises.  
Mrs. Sharp, who was was twenty six years of age, was the wife of
Elmer twenty six years of age, was the wife of Elmer Sharp, a Sharp,
a returned soldier of the war, who lost a leg in returned soldier of
the war, who lost a leg in the the service.  Mrs. Sharp leaves two
children who make their home with her mother.  She was employed
as housekeeper at the home of Roy Delong of Schuylkill Street.  
The body of Mrs. Sharp was shipped to Reading where funeral
services were held.  The burial was made in Birdsboro cemetery.
These two articles appeared in consecutive issues of
the Call reporting a woman saving her son on the
railroad only to die of her own injuries soon after....
The Call of February 11, 1921

CRESSONA MAN KILLED ON RAILROAD

The remains of Charles Erb were laid to rest in Cressona Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon from his late residence on Pottsville
Street.  Deceased met his death on Saturday evening when a switch lever hit him on the side of the head killing him instantly.  He
started work on the railroad in 1894 as a brakeman on the Mine Hill.  A few days after starting his services he was assigned to Mine
Hill crossing where he lost a hand, being caught between the couplings, this being during the time when patent drawheads were
unknown and three linkers were used.  He was afterwards assigned to yard services and for many years was a brakeman on the local
scale crew, his duty being to operate the ram car.  After weighing one draft of cars he accompanied the engine to pull another draft.  
after giving them a start they moved over the crossing and the unfortunate brakeman jumped off his car to turn the switch.  He then
gave the signal to come back but when he failed to jump on the ram the crew investigated and found him lying in a pool of water
beside the switch.  Dr. Gray was hastily summoned and found the man beyond human aid, the top of his head having been crushed.
Dr. G. O. O. Santee was summoned and upon going over the scene, allowed the body to be removed to his home.  Deceased was forty
eight years of age and is survived by his widow Nora, nee Umbenhaur, and one daughter, Hazel at home, and the following brothers
and sisters: John of Cressona, Mrs. B. Baird of Florida, Mrs. Fred Seigert, Los Angeles, California, Mrs. John Aschenbach of
Philadelphia and Mrs. Fred Winn of Pottsville.  His mother, Mrs. Kate Erb also survives, making her home at present with a daughter in
Florida.  She sent a message stating it was impossible for her to be here in time for the funeral.  Funeral services were all conducted
at the home of the deceased by Reverend E. Roy Corman of Saint Mark's Reformed Church of which he was a member.  Members of
the following organizations with which deceased was affiliated were present at the funeral.  The Order of Independent Americans,
Herndon Lodge Number 550, I. O. O. F., Royal Order of Moose and Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.  Many pretty floral tributes were
received from relatives and friends, also P. and R. Veteran Employees Association and fellow employees.  Members of these
organizations served as pall bearers.  O. A. Bittle had charge.       
Here is engine number 918 in
front of the "J" office.  This was
located in the Reading rail yard
in Schuylkill Haven.  
This image shows the official envelope for correspondence for the Mine Hill
and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company.  As can be seen, it was
headquartered in the Franklin Institute Building in Philadelphia.
The Call of April 4, 1924

GIRL HAS NARROW ESCAPE AT RAILROAD CROSSING

Miss Ruth Schumacher of Canal Street had what is considered an escape from serious injury and possible death of the narrowest
margin on Friday morning last.  Shortly before seven o'clock she was struck by a south bound train at the Union Street crossing.  Her
body luckily was pushed and twirled away from the tracks in such a manner that she maintained an upright position and outside of a
bruised hand and arm, a badly torn coat and shock, escaped more serious injury.  The crossing gates were down while a north bound
train was passing but as is sometimes the custom by reason of the width of the crossing and a number of tracks, pedestrians
sometimes stand inside the gates.  As the end of the train passed over the crossing Miss Schumacher stepped forward not noticing
the approach of the south bound train.  The result as above.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Call of September 11, 1925

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY JUMPING FROM BRIDGE

A man sustained several injuries this morning about ten o'clock by jumping from the Lehigh Railroad embankment at a point where it
crosses Garfield Avenue.  The man suffered a broken hip, a broken cheek bone and several holes in his head together with body
bruises.  He was picked up and was conscious and freely told that he was driven to his deed by force of circumstances.  Not having a
home or financial means of support he sought a home at the county institution.  He could not gain admittance and therefore decided
to end his life.  The unfortunate man evidently thought to jump clear of the embankment and land in the street below, a distance of
fifty or sixty feet.  Instead of that he plunged into the embankment, rolled to the edge of the arch and from that point dropped to the
street, a distance of twenty feet.                                                                                                        
The Call of June 1, 1923

AUTOS AND TROLLEY IN SMASHUP

Two autos, an Oldsmobile and a Maxwell, with a trolley figured in a smashup on Main Street Thursday afternoon.  It was caused by the
driver of the Maxwell Coupe misjudging the distance between an Oldsmobile parked in front of the Gipe store and a trolley coming
down Main Street.  The driver thought he could pass on the space between the parked machine and the passing trolley, a thing which
can be done in most every town and city.  The Main Street however is too narrow.  The trolley pushed the Maxwell into the Olds and
both were damaged, the latter suffering the most damage.  Both cars were owned by out of town persons.                                                                                                     
                                                           
The Call of October 23, 1925

BOY HAD NARROW ESCAPE WHEN HIT BY FREIGHT

Francis, the seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Becker of Parkway, had a narrow escape from probable death or serious
injury Saturday.  He was struck by Number 80 freight, south bound, which was shifting at the time at the Union Street crossing.  His
heel was badly crushed and he sustained a painful laceration of the nose, in that the skin was scraped off completely, also scraped
from the forehead.  The child was taken to the office of Dr. Rutter where the injuries were dressed.  He was later taken to the
Pottsville Hospital.  
The accident happened about 1:30 o'clock and in a peculiar way.  The crossing was blocked by several cars of freight while a car of
slag was cut from the train and dropped on the siding.  The car is said to have shunted the cars that were standing on the crossing
and caught and knocked the boy down just as he was crossing at a point north of the crossing.  The express wagon that the boy was
using was smashed to splinters and bystanders thought surely the wheels crossed over his body.                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                       
The Call of September 24, 1926

FIRE AT CAR SHOPS CAUSES SCARE

The siren alarm Tuesday evening about 11:20 brought all fire companies and many individual persons to the North Ward.  Fire had
been discovered in the cribbing at the landing near the Reading car shops.  When discovered the flames were leaping several feet
high.  With the use of several of the lar