Train Stations
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Eli Slifer's Account of Building The Railroad in Brazil
Railroading Accidents & Historical Notes (By Year)
As I go through the "Historical Notes" each day for my "In this day in local history" posts, I find mention of so many railroad related items. There's never time to research them all, but I am going to start copying them all here, into a timeline.
1829, Jan 20 - "Great railroad convention held at Sunbury. William Nice and Samuel Hepburn delegates from Milton. John L. Watson and Henry Reeder represented McEwensville.
1848, June 23 - Hon. James Pollock offered a resolution in Congress calling for a commission to investigate the necessity and practicality of building a railroad to the Pacific Ocean.
1850, Jan 11 - A weekly express was established between Milton and Philadelphia by W.H. Thompson of Sunbury
1850, Dec 28 - Danville and Pottsville R.R. sold by Sheriff at Sunbury
1851 - Lewisburg & Brush Valley Plant Road incorporated
1851, May 27 - Ground broken for Sunbury and Erie Railroad at Farrandsville
1852 - Lewisburg & Tyrone Railroad Chartered
1853, Feb 22- Work commenced in Milton on the Sunbury & Erie Railroad
1854 - P. and R.R.R. opened Great celebration at Williamsport, Pollock spoke, Philadelphia councilmen present
1854, May 8 - Patrick Daley killed in premature explosion while working on new railroad at Milton.
1854, October 6 - Catawissa Railroad completed in Milton. Great celebration.
1855, April 1 - First mail carried over the Catawissa Railroad
1865, Dec 1 - Catawissa Railroad leased to Atlantic and Great Western Company
1866, June 12 - New passenger depot of P and E. at Cameronia, now Montandon, completed. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/lewisburg-junction-railroad-stop-that.html
1867, Feb 13 - Baggage car and two passenger cars on the P. and E. ran off the track near Kemmerer's Mill and were hurled into the canal. No one was killed.
1867, June 5 1867 - Name of Cameronia Station changed to Montandon https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/when-montandon-was-briefly-cameronia.html
1868, William Reed of Milton killed near P.R.R. station at Lewisburg, age 75 years
1870, Jan 5 - Dr. Thomas C. Thornton of Lewisburg caught in Covered bridge by train. his buggy was demolished and his horse injured. The doctor escaped injury
1870, June 28 P.R.R. office at Lewisburg robbed of $230.00
1870, July 20 - John Kramers horse was spooked by a fast moving passenger train. The horse crossed the tracks and the locomotive struck the wagon, killing Kramer.
1870, Sep 20 - At a meeting held in Milton it was decided to extend the Catawissa Railroad to Williamsport on the west bank of the river via Muncy
1871, Jan 15 - Catawissa railroad station on South Front Street first used.
1871, Feb 23 - Terrible accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Watsontown. Three passengers cars rolled over an embankment. Adam Frymire of Milton instantly killed, many others seriously injured.
1871, sept 3 - John Lunger, Milton, a Catawissa railroad brakeman, almost fatally injured at Batawissa when pinched between the cars
1877, May 1 - J. Michen Houghendobler, a moulder at the car works killed by train as he stepped from the foundry to the P.R.R. tracks
1871, Dec 31 - Richard Guffy died at Watsontown from injuries received in P.R.R. accident in which his wife was instantly killed.
1874, Jan 8- Runaway engine from Sunbury ditched above Broadway in Milton
1875, March 7 - A heavy snow crushed in several barn roofs at the S. & L. R.R. engine house on the Isle Of Que
1875, April 2 -William Burns of Milton, fireman on the P.R.R., severely burned in a collision near Kemmerers Mill
1875 Oct. 5 — Centennial Excursion on P. & E. R. R., leaving Selinsgrove (Junction) at 9.20 A. M., returning next day. Fare $3.50.
1875, Oct 27 S. R. Malick, accidentally knocked from a hand car while carrying passengers across the river bridge, falls into the river and is drowned.
1875, Nov. 9 — Another Centennial Excursion to Philadelphia, leaves Selinsgrove on the P. & E. R. R. from the "Junction" at 9.58 and returning the following day, arriving here about 9.50 p. m. Fare $3.50.
1875, Dec 27— Sheriff's sale of the S. & N. B. R. R. at the Keystone Hotel. Bought for $1030.00 by J. W. Gaugler, of Selinsgrove.
1876, March 23— S. & L. R. R. sold at public sale (at Philadelphia for $161,000 to J. K.Valentine for interested parties.
1876, July 13 - 13 — Unknown man killed on the N. C. R. north of Selinsgrove Station.
1877, Jan 17 — Fire destroys eight and one-half spans of the railroad bridge across the Susquehanna River at Selinsgrove. Local firemen place steamer on flat and fight flames from mid-stream with poor success. Sunbury companies at east end of bridge. Extreme suffering from weather.
1877, July 4 - Railroad riots start along the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
1878 - Aug. — Kreeger & Schnure connect their flour mill with the S. & L. R. R. by means of a siding, which also is run into the new coal yard constructed between the Mill and the railroad.
1878, Sept. 2 — Engine 526 derailed at Water street [Selinsgrove] crossing while attempting to make first trip into Kreeger & Schnure's Mill.
1878, Dec 24 — Excursionists to Philadelphia via Lewistown Junction delayed several hours when the morning train is derailed at the sharp curve at east end of the river bridge.
1879, Jan 28 — Brakeman Gibbs, of Lewistown, killed in local yards [Selinsgrove] by falling from caboose in a collision.
1879, May 7 — Rear-end collision on the N. C. R. at the Junction, when a northbound passenger train runs into a standing freight train. No persons injured.
1879, Nov. 1 — Several freight cars derailed on local street crossing.
1880, Jan. 12 — Four freight cars thrown from the track at Selinsgrove
1880, Sept. — Penn's Creek railroad bridge again boarded up and men and women are warned against walking on same on account of lack of proper clearance between the sides and the track.
1881, Jan. 29 — Mail train east on S. & L R. R. wrecked by broken rail at "Red Hill." east of Middleburg - Several passengers slightly injured.
1881, March 29 — A wagon driven by a Mr. Barrett demolished by a shifting train at Water street crossing. Driver and horses escape injury.
1881, June 24 - Alex Munson crushed to death on the Pennsylvania Railroad while riding to his work below Watsontown
1882, Feb 12 - Shamokin, Sunbury, and Lewisburg R.R. incorporated
1883, Feb 27 - First engine and cars pass over Shamokin, Sunbury, and Lewisburg Railway
1883, July 13 — Bad rear end collision of freight trains on N. C. R. at Selinsgrove Junction.
1883, Sep 20 - First Locomotive on the P and R annex track went through Milton as far as Center Street.
1883, Dec 8 - George Lupfer prevents train disaster in Watsontown
1884, April 14 - Albert Ranck, age 15 years, was killed at the Pennsylvania Crossing at Watsontown.
1884, May 24 - Stranger aged about 32 attempted to commit suicide at P.R.R. station in Milton, later succeeded at Montandon
1884, Dec 5 — S. & N. B. R. R. sold at sheriff sale to J. W. Gaugler, local contractor, to satisfy judgment.
1885 Jan 20— S. & N. B. R. R. re-organized as "The Middle Pennsylvania Railroad."
1886, Jan 6— -C. F. Kissinger, train master of the S. & L. R. R., narrowly escapes death by being crushed by turntable at east end of local yard while assisting in moving Main Line passenger trains.
1886, Aug. 14 — Disastrous oil fire destroys five tank cars of a train 1500 feet south of Selinsgrove Junction on N. C. R. Passengers transferred around fire by means of river flats.
1887, June 24 - Charles Simpson died from injuries received while working on the P & R. Railroad
1887, Nov 26 Philadelphia & Reading RR Freight Train ran into the "Annex" train at Milton. The engine and baggage car of the "Annex" were badly damaged. Two men were hurt, one having an arm broken. The accident was due to heavy fog that prevailed at the time.
1887, December - "The express men say that an average of one dozen carcasses of deer pass through here every night on the late train on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. They are shipped from different points on the line of the road West of here, and are consigned to parties in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The venison business is quite an item for the express company during the hunting season" - North'd County Democrat
1891 - On April 27th 1891, George M. Oberender, a freight conductor on the P & R.R.R. was killed at Sunbury Station. He had been filling in as a substitute conductor on the east bound freight train. When nearing Sunbury station, before the train stopped, Oberender jumed off. On a siding stood a long string of freight cars, and he was thrown against them at a force that bounced him back under the wheels of the train he had jumped from. His injuries were severe, and after an hour or two of intense suffering, he died. Oberender was formerly from Union County, a native of White Deer Mills. He had been employed by the railroad for a number of years.
1892 - April 18, Switch Accident At Selinsgrove
1892 June - "1360 lbs of A No 1 Butter was shipped in one train last week by the Penn Creamery Co. We are pleased to see this industry so prosperous". - Snyder County Tribune, June 30 1892
1893 - The Liberty Bell Traveled through the Susquehanna Valley, by Train
1893 - Walter L. Maine Circus Train Crash Near Tyrone
1894 - April 21 Daughter of the GM of The Williamsport & North Branch, Killed While Planning Her Wedding
1895, January 25th "A sleighing party", consisting of 17 people, was hit by a freight train. Isaac & Charles Romig, father and son, were killed instantly, others injured.
1899, Feb 17 - A Freight Train and Pusher Collide at Pottsgrove, resulting in another wreck at Mooresburg
1902, Jan 7 - Joseph Cromley and nine year old son of Limestoneville killed at grade crossing in Watsontown by the Buffalo Flyer
1902, Oct 4 - When The No 9 Collided With The No 99 in Milton
1903, Oct 5 The Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick Railroad connecting Watsontown With Berwick, formerly opened to public travel1903, Nov 7 - S. Oliver Harbeson of Forest Hill run down by Train No 5 at the Reading Railroad crossing at University Avenue in Lewisburg. Harbeson and his horse were killed instantly.
1903, Dec 3 - Mrs William A. Edwards of Watsontown killed in Grade Crossing Accident at that place
1907, July 2 - Three Killed When Two Trains Collide in Sunbury
1908 , Jan 15 - Lewisburg & Tyronne RR accident kills Sunbury Engineer, at Axeman
1908, Feb 17 - Henry Trick, of near Watsontown, killed at Pennsylvania Railroad crossing at Braun's Mill, aged 70 years
1908, May 26 - William H. Showers, White Deer Twp, killed on the P. and R. at East Mahanoy Junction in the performance of his duties as a brakeman
1909, Dec 22 - Ernest Weikel instantly killed and Howard Keefer seriously injured at the P. and R. crossing above New Columbia. They were brining to Milton a load of Christmas trees.
1910, January 15 - "James Dark, for 18 years a watchman at the Lewisburg Bridge, killed by a train at his post. Aged 68 years.
1910, Jan 15 - James Dark, for 18 years a watchman at the Lewisburg bridge, killed by a train at his post. Ages 68 years.
1910, Feb 16 - Howard Chappell, age 26, killed by paper train on the Pennsylvania R.R.
1911, Nov 6 - Wreck at Lindale (One Whistle Stop Past Weikert)
1912, March 2- Locomotive explodes at Muncy Station, killing 4, injuring 2
1912, July - 7 year old son of James McKee of Watsontown was at the station awaiting his father who was coming by train, when he was run down by an engine switching cars. The boys left foot was cut off. McKee sued the S.B. & B. R.R. for $20,000, alleging that the railroad was negligent in switching about the station when a passenger train was about to arrive.
1912, Oct 8 - Unknown man killed when he fell off a train north of Muncy at "Walton's Station".
1913, May 2 - Daniel Hulsizer killed near Hepburn Street on the Pennsylvania Railroad
1913, Oct 9 - Frank T. Winterbach met tragic death at the P&R station at Rupert. He was returning from the Bloomsburg Fair.
1916, Dec 11 - William Lake was struck by the passenger train due at West Milton at 5:51am. Lake had boarded at the Miller farm, just below Central Oak Heights, and was employed at the Shimer Plant in Milont. He was on his way to work when the accident occurred. His body was discovered by Theodore Etter and son, who were on their way to the old reading railroad bridge.
1917, Sept 23 - J. Miles Derr, wife, and daughter Martha and Miss Jennie Leiser of Turbot Township instantly killed in a grade crossing accident on P.R.R. above fairgrounds.
1921, October 26 - Four killed in explosion at "Devils Elbow" (Between Milton & Danville)
1924, Jan 4 - Lawrence F. Williams, 32 year old of Sunbury, an extra brakeman on the Penna RR was so badly injured that he died several hours later. Williams was assisting in shifting some cards and was crawling from a tank to the box car when he lost his footing and was hurled to the tracks, the wheels passing over him and crushing both his legs above the knee. He was rushed by box car to the hospital in Sunbury, "but the shock was too great" and he died that afternoon.
1925, May 27 - a freight train traveling from Tamaqua to Williamsport derailed while crossing the reading railroad bridge in Sunbury. One of the derailed cars was delivering Hersheys chocolate, which was spilled into the river.
1926, July 29 - William Long of Bainbridge street Sunbury was killed when he fell beneath a draft of cars and was beheaded. He was aged about 40 years and is survived by his widow, a don and a daughter, one brother Harry and his mother. Mr Long worked at Rolling Green Park for several years and was known by many Snyder County people.
1928, July 10 - Reading Passenger train on the Showers Crossing between New Columbia and White Deer struck Ford Coupe driven by Charles Young of White Deer. Young died on the way to the hospital. Mrs. Oscar Wilkins, Young's daughter was seriously injured.
1929, Jan - 39 year old Allen [A family member has said his name was actually Alfred] Mincemoyer of Watsontown was killed when a school bus he was driving was hit by the Dewart Milk train. The man had taken a load of children to the Dewart school and was on his way home. He did not notice the approach of the train.
1933, Aug 26 - Wreck At Cedar Run
1945, June 15 - The Deadliest Train Wreck In Milton - 19 killed
1947 - Rupert Train Crash
1949, June 7 - Train Hits Construction Truck in Almedia
1949 & 1950 - When there were train rides in Cameron Park In Sunbury
1956, Dec 15 - Wreck At Slate Run
1979, Aug 31 - Fire at Williamsport Station
This is quite a compilation! I am told that my G-GF Charles E. Schmucker who owned an orchard and a mill in Watsontown was killed in an auto vs. train accident while returning home from town for supper but have not found any account of the accident online. I do not have an exact date but his grave marker says 1919. Any info you can find or sources you can recommend will be much appreciated. -Alex Wilson
ReplyDeleteHi! I was able to find two clippings re Charles Schmucker of Watsontown. The gruesome accident is described in the Lewisburg Journal Nov 21, 1919. My g-grandfather was crossing the tracks around 1 pm the previous day in his Schmucker & Huffman feed & grain delivery truck when he was broad-sided by an "Easton Flyer" on a north-bound express run. The article describes him as "one of Watsontown's best known residents" and states "his tragic death has cast a shadow over the community". A blurb in the Miltonian 12/11/19 notes that the accident occurred at the 4th street crossing and that his partner, Frederick Huffman, would continue to operate their feed & oil business at the "old stand" (whatever that was).
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