Altoona, Pennsylvania

Train Accident

October 5, 1905

KILLED AT HUTCHISON’S

Long-Time Railroad Employe [sic] Run Down by an Engine Yesterday Afternoon and Fatally Injured.

WILLIAM PEARCE, an employe [sic] of the Pennsylvania railroad company, residing at Hutchison’s extension, while crossing the railroad tracks at GD tower yesterday afternoon at 1:45, was run down by a locomotive and was fatally injured. His injuries were of such a serious nature that he died while being placed in the hospital ambulance.

PIERCE, who is employed as an air brake inspector at East Altoona, was crossing the railroad from his home east of the city. As he was crossing No. 1 track he noticed an engine approaching. He waited until it passed and then stepping out from behind the engine, he walked in front of another engine moving in the opposite direction on No. 2 track. He was struck and knocked under the engine, the wheels passing over him. He was still living when his fellow workmen reached his side. An examination of the body showed that he had sustained a compound depressed fracture of the skull, a fracture of the right thigh, a crush of the right foot and a fracture of the right arm, in addition to numerous body bruises.

WILLIAM PIERCE was aged about 50 years and had resided in the vicinity of Juniata for a number of years. He was well known and took an active interest in the affairs of the thriving borough east of the city and was instrumental in building it up, he having erected a number of buildings during the past year. He was employed under FOREMAN PENNINGTON at the time the accident occurred, but had been in the service of the Pennsylvania company for a number of years. He is survived by his wife and one son. The remains were given over to UNDERTAKER LAFFERTY to prepare for burial.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Lutheran church, Juniata. Interment at Hutchison’s cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA 6 Oct 1906

Transcribed by Edna Schlauch.  Thank you, Edna!

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