The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-01-04
FAITHFUL
UNTO DEATH.
Jacob Fisher Meets His Fate Like
a Hero.
A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.
Caught Upon a TreStle by Train-The
Victim Takes Desperate Chances.
His Head Cut Off.
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.

The long railway trestle in the CRta
wissa Valley, about mile from the Ring
town station of the Philadelphia & Read
ing railroad, was the scene of terrible
accident last night in which a farmer
named Jacob Fisher was instantly killed
and his wife was so badly injured she
may not recover.
Fisher and his wife spent last night
visiting neighboring families and to re-
turn home were obliged to cross the
trestle, which Is the longest on the system
of the P. & r. railroad. Before starting
to cross they stopped to see ii a
train was approaching as the trestle
is a single-tracked one. A freight
train came in sight around the curve near
the trestle and the couple waited to let
it pass. 1t was a long train. When the
last car passed Fisher and his wife
started to cross the trestle. 1t is custom
ary when trains having front and rear
engine approach the trestle to cut from
the rear engine, so that he latter will not
be on the trestle with the train. This was
done last night, but the trailing engine
was shut off from Fishers view by the
cut Fisher and his wife had walked
several yards upon the trestle when
the rear engine rushed upon them. The
unfortunate people were dazed by the
sudden plunge into danger. Fisher quick
ly recovered his presence of mind and
prepared TO take his chances on the
trestle rather than leap over the side, the
distance to the ground being very great.
The story of the critical situation is
told by the wife. Wen take our
chances here" he said, at the same time
| throwing her upon the COW catcher Of the
engine. The brave man had no time to
save himself. The engine was upon him
| in an instant His body was caught by
the wheels and before the gaze of the
Mortified wife the head was cut off. 1t
rolled over the sills and then dropped
between them to the ground beneath,
being crushed to jelly on the rocks. The
/ body remained under the train.
Meanwhile the engineer had reduced
the speed of his engine, the headlight
having brought the doomed people to his
| view, but too late to avoid the terrible
affair. The engine was stopped after
running few yards past the place where
Fisher was killed and the crew alighted.
Mrs. Fisher was found clinging to the
COW catcher. She was alive and conscious,
but was unable to speak. The terrible
experience seemed to have deprived her
of most of her sense. She was gently re.
moved and placed in the cab of the engine,
where it WAS found that both her legs
were broken. The crew of the engine
summoned assistance from the nearest
farm house and had Mrs. Fisher and the
body of her husband cared Tor.
Fisher was about forty years Of age and
his wife was of about the same age. They
had three children, the Oldest being a son
seventeen years Of age, who was out with
a pleasure sleghing party last night and
did not hear of the terrible occurrence
4 until he bade the party merry good night
and entered his home. Jacob Fisher was
a cousin of jeremiah Fisher, OF town.