Blair-Cambria County PA Archives News.....A Fatal Accident September 30, 1895 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: S. M. (Sana) McGhee slm2@psu.edu April 11, 2005, 8:39 am ---------------------------------------------------------------- Altoona Mirror 30 Sep 1895 O. H. Melhorn of Gallitzin Killed Yesterday Morning O. H. Melhorn of Gallitzin an employee of the company received injuries yesterday morning west of B. O. office which resulted in his death twenty-five minutes later. The wreck crew of which he was a member was engaged in cleaning up the wreck which occurred in the big cut west of the city. At the time of the accident a gondola car was being hoisted to the track when it turned and the hook slipped out of the rig in the derrick, letting the car fall back and the drop break on the hopper bottom struck Melhorn on the top of the head fracturing his skull. The accident occurred at 11:00 and twenty-five minutes later Melhorn died at the baggage room to which place he had been removed directly after the accident. The unfortunate man's remains were prepared for burial by Undertaker Lafferty and sent to his late home in Gallitzin. He was 23 years old and had been married but little over a month, the ceremony having been preformed on August 21. Coroner Poet empanelled a jury and viewing the remains adjourned it until 7:00 this evening when evidence will be taken at the rooms of Undertaker Arthur. ----- Altoona Mirror 1 Oct 1895 Conductor S. L. Davis Censured by the Coroner's Jury The jury appointed Coroner Poet to investigate into the cause leading to the death of Oscar H. Melhorn met last evening and a number of witnesses were examined. S. L. Davis foreman of the wrecking crew, testified that he knew the hook on the derrick was broken but, "trusted to luck to see them through". Howard Mains being sworn stated that he heard a man tell Davis that the hook was not safe but Davis said, "go ahead and lift". Other witnesses were examined whose testimony was to the effect that the broken hook was unsafe and after considering the evidence the jury rendered the following verdict: We the jury empanelled to inquire into the cause of the death of Oscar H. Melhorn decided that his death was due to a slipping of a chain from a broken hook attached to a derrick used in raising part of a broken car and an iron rod attached thereto striking him on the head, fracturing his skull. We believe S. L. David, conductor of the wreck crew, did not use the proper precaution for the protection of his men when he knew the hook was broken and continued to use it. ----- Ebensburg Mountaineer 3 Oct 1895 Oscar H. Mecham of Gallitzin a member of the Gallitzin wreck crew was killed while assisting to clear away a wreck at Altoona on Sunday, being struck on the head by an iron rod. Charles Davenport also of Gallitzin was seriously injured by the same blow. ----- Ebensburg Freeman 4 Oct 1895 A GALLITZIN MAN KILLED O. H. Melhorn, an employee of the P. R. R. residing at Gallitzin, was killed on Sunday morning about 11, while helping to clear away the freight wreck which occurred Saturday afternoon at the big cut west of Twenty-fourth street, Altoona. At the time Melhorn was killed the wrecking crew, of which he was a member, was hoisting the side of a gondola truck, when it turned, causing the hook to slip out of the derrick chain, and the car fell back. The drop brake, which operated the hopper bottom of the car, and which was broken away from one side of his skull and causing his death 25 minutes later in the baggage room at the station, where he was taken, awaiting the arrival of the ambulance. The deceased was 23 years of age and was married the 21st of last month to Miss Wilt, of Gallitzin, who is almost prostrated by his death. Charles Davenport, another member of the crew, also residing at Gallitzin, who was standing between the car and Melhorn when the latter was killed, was hit with stunning force above the right eye by the same bar. The position of Melhorn, probably saved Davenport's life. The injured man was taken to the hospital, and afterwards to his home in Gallitzin. ----- Additional Comments: Note: O. H. or Oscar H. Melhorn, Malhorn, Mecham, Mehlhorn - these are different spellings of the same last name for the same person - depending which newspaper you read. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/