15 year old Boy Killed Sledding at Bucknell 1898

 

Fifteen year old Harry Schoch was killed in a sledding accident down the Loomis Walk at Bucknell University, on February 4th 1898.15 year old Harry Schoch spent the afternoon sledding the "Loomis Walk".  This path as exceedingly steep, especially towards the bottom, where it has a "declivity that makes a ride over it on a bob sled hair-splitting business.  This path, seldom used by students, was the one that proved the most popular to coasters on account of its steepness."

Bucknell University, 1884

Sled riders would start at the West Wing of the college, ride at break neck speed down the hill, and strike the mail walk on the level at the foot of the hill. "It was an exciting ride, and the element of excitement only added to the popularity of the ride."

Harry and his companions had went out sledding soon after lunch that day, and had made several rides before Harry said it was time for him to go to F.E. Brown's meat market, where he worked.  His companions prevailed upon him to take one more ride, and offered as an inducement the opportunity to steer, "a chance which the average boy with pluck, it seems, cannot resist."

Harry was steering the sled, and behind him in the following order where Albert Vorse, S.K. Kahle, Jackson Wolfe, Aaron Lenhard, and Ed McCall.  On the way down, when the boys in the back realized Harry has slightly lost control of the sled, rolled off.  That made it even more difficult for Harry to guide, the sled now being front heavy. 

The double bob sled, or tiller, on which they were riding, became unmanageable and hit  1878 class stone, located at the bottom of the hill.

The sled dashed against the stone with great force, knocking loose the twenty pound nail used as a king pin or bolt on the front of the sled.  The nail speared Harry in his side, causing immense blood loss.   S.K. Kahle and Ed McCall were slightly injured in the crash. 

Several of Harry's friends picked him up and carried him quickly to Prof Bartol's house, and Dr Focht, who happened to be nearby, was at his side within minutes.  But the great loss of blood made it impossible to save him, Harry died 30 minutes later.

Harry was buried in his hometown of Mifflinburg.

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Elmer Shoch, father of Harry, was publisher of the Lewisburg Chronicle.