The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-06-16
Sad Fatal Accident,
DEATH OF CHARLES FISHER.

DEATH OF CHARLES FISHER,
Friday afternoon, June 10, 1881,
Charles Fisher, young man 81 years
Of age, o resident of st. Marys, and
we'll known to many people in this
vicinity met with an accident which
resulted in his death few minutes
thereafter. The facts in the case are
detailed to us by M. e. Lesser, of this
place, for whom the young man had
worked in the blacksmith shop for
four years, off and on, and who was
an eye witness to the occurrence. Mr..
Lesser and Joe Moore went tn ST..
Marys on mail Thursday night. They
were with Charles that evening and
all day Friday. Mail west was about
five hours late. Mr.. Lesser and Moore
got on the train, and Mr., Fisher ac-
companied them for the purpose of
saying goodbye as was his custom
when visitors were leaving st. Marys.
On this occasion the train being late
made by short stop, and was under
strong headway before the young man
had time to get off. He shook hands
hurriedly with the gentlemen
named, who urged him not to attempt
to get off as it would be unsafe the
way the train was running. Not
withstanding their entreaty he at
tempted to reach the ground from the
train. AS he landed he fell to the
ground close beside the track and had
| he had presence of mind to lie still the
! terrible accident which Immediately
| followed would have been ayerted.
Endeavoring to get up his leg was
| thrown on the rail the wheels passing
along the entire leg from thigh to foot
taking off both shoes. Raising up the
steps of one car struck him, when
he again sat up to be struck by the
steps of the next car land still another.
After this fearful ordeal the young
man rose to a sitting posture reached
his hat placed it on his head and sank
/ to the earth to rise no more as death
ensued in few minutes. AS he
placed his hat on his head chum OF
the dying man, Fred L9fler, chanced
to pass recognizing him Charley
said, Erred, help me, which were the
last words he uttered ere he surren-
dered his spirit back to the God who
gave it. Miss Lizzie Fisher, a sister
of deceased hearing of the accident
rushed to the scene just in time to see
her brother breathe his last, and was
almost broken hearted at the sudden
and terrible sight.
Mr.. Lesser wishes us to state that
the young man was not under the in
fuence Of liquor in the least. This
statement being deemed necessary as
the report had gone forth that he was
in liquor at the time of the accident.
The place where the accident oc,
CURED is about opposite Wilhelm's
store. The face was bruised but little
while the shoulders were considerably
bruised from the steps striking him
On learning of the facts Conductor
Metzger stopped the train to ascertain
if it was a passenger that was injured
but as no assistance could be rendered
the train sped on its way. Jas. II
Ross and wife of Ridgway, were pass
ing at the time and saw the young
man fall. Mrs. Ross threw up he
hands in horror and by her screams
attracted the attention of passenger
on the train. Mr.. Lesser looked out o
the window and saw Charles rise anC
fall three times as he came in contac
with the steps.
On Sunday the funeral was helt
and was one of the largest funera
PROFESSIONS ever seen in St. Marys, up
wards of 1000 people taking part
Quite number of young men at
tending from Ridgway and were
given place in the line next the mour
ers. The st. Marys brass band headed
the procession playing funeral dirge.
on the way to the church and playeC
one dirge at the grave.