Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
Train Accident
May 13,1909
EDGAR ALCORN MET DEATH ON RAILROAD
Returning From Livermore, He Made Fatal Jump
Near His Home.
WAS PROMINENT IN SALTSBURG.
While attempting to alight from extra train No.
2676 going west at Saltsburg on Wednesday
evening EDGAR P.
ALCORN, aged twenty years, was thrown
under the train and sustained injuries that
caused his death. He was quite popular and his
death has cast a pall over Saltsburg.
Alcorn was a trespasser and he was returning
from Livermore when he met his death. He was
thrown under the wheels and had both his legs
cut off at the knees, his skull was fractured
and his jawbone broken. The accident occurred at
8:40 o’clock and Alcorn was at once removed to
Dr. Montgomery’s
office, where he died an hour later.
The body was turned over to
Undertaker J. W.
Robinson, who prepared the remains
for burial. In the meantime the railroad people
made an investigation and found that the company
was not to blame for the unfortunate young man’s
death. Superintendent Andrew Keiser notified
Coroner James S, Hammers of the accident, but he
did not deem an inquest necessary and gave
permission to bury the body.
Owing to work being slack in the valley towns,
Alcorn, who clerked in Apollo had been idle of
late. Wednesday afternoon several of Alcorn’s
associated joined him and they took a freight
ride to Livermore. They were on the return trip
and the freight was going at a fast rate when it
went through Saltsburg. While passing through
the central part of town, Alcorn decided to make
the jump, despite the train’s great speed, but
his friends remained on the freight until it
slowed down a short distance away.
After they alighted and walked back to town they
stumbled across the crushed form of their
friend. He was taken to
Dr. Montgomery’s
office and given attention, but died at the hour
stated. The point where Alcorn left the train
was within sight of his own home.
In the unfortunate death of
EDGAR ALCORN,
the young people of Saltsburg lose one of their
most popular associates. He was a steady worker
and was one of the chief supports of his mother,
Mrs. Oscar Alcorn,
and his sister,
Miss Mazie. He is also survived by
his father and one brother,
Lawrence.
Edgar was a member of the Old Boys basketball
team of Saltsburg. He was member of the
Saltsburg Presbyterian church and his pastor,
Rev. George M. Ryall,
will conduct the funeral, which will
be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon.
Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA 13
May 1909
Transcribed by Audrey. Thank you,
Audrey!
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