OBIT: Robert R. McFARLAND, 1891, Blair County, PA

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Chief Engineer McFarland Killed.

Special to THE INQUIRER. HOLLIDAYSBURG, Dec. 3. - Robert R. McFarland,
aged 61 years, chief engineer of the rolling mills of the
Hollidaysburg Iron and Nail Company, was run over and killed by an
express train of the Pennsylvania Railroad in front of the mills early
this morning. 

Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pa., December 4, 1891

DEATH CAME SUDDENLY. 

An Accident Whereby Mr. Robert McFarland Loses His Life. 

To its Hollidaysburg correspondent the TRIBUNE is indebted for the
following account of the fatal accident yesterday: Accidents now come
not singly but in battalions at the rolling mill of the Hollidaysburg
Iron and Nail company.  The second casualty happening in that mill
within the past two days, befell Mr. Robert McFarland, who has had
charge of the stationary engine.  Mr. McFarland went to his work about
1 o'clock yesterday morning.  After running the first heat he dampened
the fires under the boilers, and informed his fellow-workmen that he
would now go home and get his breakfast.  The engine room fronts
directly on the railroad and its door is within a step of the side
track.  The gravel train locomotive, William Davis engineer, had been
shifting cars along this track, and two moving cars were heading past
the door.  At about 6 o'clock, while it was yet dark, Mr. McFarland
stepped out of the doorway and on to the track in front of the moving
cars.  The clatter and din of the mill drowned the rumbling of the car
wheels.  He was struck, knocked down between the rails, the car
passing over him and the brake rod dragging him several yards over the
ballast before the cars stopped.  The dying man was removed to his
home, near the scene of the accident, on Blair street, and Dr. W. B.
Roller was summoned.  But he was past the aid of science and one hour
after the accident he expired of internal hemorrhages.  He was
perfectly conscious to the end, and was able to narrate the story of
his great misfortune before death came.

Robert McFarland was the son of William McFarland, who was a well
known cabinet-maker in the early days of Hollidaysburg.  He was born
in Frankstown in 1830, and came to this community in early childhood,
residing here the best portion of his life.  He was an engineer on the
old Portage railroad, and at a later period he served in the same
capacity on the middle division of the Pennsylvania railroad.  For the
past fifteen years he has been the valued and trusted engineer of the
Hollidaysburg Iron and Nail company.  He was an experienced engineer,
well acquainted with the infinite details of his duties.  A man of
kindly impulses and generous purposes, he was held in high esteem by
his fellow workmen.  He had very often cautioned others to avoid the
dangerous crossing in front of his engine room.  The fate was reserved
for him he had taught his associates to shun.  In 1852 he was married
to Miss Ann Walker, who, with two sons, Michael, of Altoona, and John,
of Pittsburgh, and two daughters, Mrs. John Andrews and Miss Lida,
both of this place, mourn this sudden shattering of their domestic
felicity.  The deceased was also a brother of Messrs. C. A. and W. F.
McFarland and Mrs. George Over, all of this community.  The funeral
services will be held at his late home, on Blair street, at 2 o'clock
Saturday afternoon, Rev. Dr. D. H. Barron officiating, Interment in
the Presbyterian cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, December 4, 1891, page 4