Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
WOUNDED AT PLAY.
James c. Guffey Dies From Hurt
Received IA Years Ago.
HIS DECLINE FOLLOWED A FEVER,
And Ills Case Confounded Eminent Physi-
clans Everywhere.
DIR. WHITE DISCOVERS THE TROUBLE

james c. Gufey, oldest son of e1-Sheriff
John Guffey, died at his fathers home at
No. 5174 Liberty avenue early yesterday
morning. The deceased was n years old
and was a civil engineer. He has been for
the last eight years in the employ Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad and when taken sick
nearly a year ago he was at work on
survey for a branch road between
Curwinsville and Dubois The deceased
was brother of Alexander s. Guffey, Pro-
lessor of Greek at the State Normal School
at Indiana, Pa, and he was a remarkable
bright and decidedly interesting young
man. He was born in Westmoreland
county, and began life as a roadman
on the Pittsburg, McKeesport and
Youghiogheny road in 1882. He was after
ward chief clerk to P. f. Brendingler, as
sistant chief engineer of that road. In 1884
Brendlinger left the Pittsburg, McKees-
port and Youghiogheny road and took
charge of the construction of the Pottsville
and Mahony Railroad. Young Guffey went
with him to that work, where he occupied
the position of chief draughtsman. He en-
ioyed wide acquaintance in railroad circles,
and he was deservedly popular wherever
known.
A Rem trkable Story.
The death of young Guffey was q severe
blow to his devoted parents, and about his
untimely end clings a remarkable story.
About year ago the young man suffered
an attack of fever, which was not particu;;
larly severe, but which left him weak and
distressed. He was brought home from his
work, and the best physicians of Pittsburg
were called to restore him. Their science
failed to build him up, and in spite of their
efforts the young man declined slowly but
steadily. Early this summer he was sent
to the seashore, where other physicians
took charge of his case. They,
too, were unable to stay the steady
decline and two weeks ago the young man
was taken to the Pennsylvania Hospital in
Philadelphia. where DR.. White, noted
specialist, was called to diagnose the case.
He had the young patient under watchful
care for four days, and finally gave it as his
during his young life been hurt about the
head. The parents of the patient we're
notified of DR.. Whites decision. They
were at first unable to recall time
when their son had been hurt, !
as was indicated by the physician.
They looked back over his life to
the cradle when the boys mother finally
recalled time when her son, while at play,
had been struck with stone by an asso-
ciate. 1t was IA years ago. Young Guffey,
then but lad, was knocked down, and for
time was unconscious. He soon revived,
however, and under the care of physician
was soon about at play.
The Physician Located the Trouble,
Nothing was thought of this injury, and
it was entirely forgotten until Dr. White
recalled it. The doctor was notified of the
IA years old wound on Monday. He at
once assigned to it the cause for the young
mans trouble, and he also pronounced the
case hopeless. DR.. White did not come to
Pittsburg after he had been acquainted with
the former accident to the young man. He
wrote, however, that his diagnosis had been
confirmed fully, and said the boy had only
a short time to live.
The case of young Guffey is pronounced
by the ,Pittsburg physicians to be most
one. Many of them say they
had never heard of a similar case, but all
argue that the fever from which the young
man recently suffered hastened the effect of
the wound inflicted IA years ago
The deceased will be buried at West
Newton tomorrow. He is a nephew of
James W. Guffey, the oil king and poll
tician.