The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-07-12
RUN DOWN
BY A TRAIN
Charles Johnson, One Of the victims,
Instantly Killed.
JOHN METCALF SERIOUSLY HURT
The Men Were on Their way Home to
wiggans and We're Struck at the
Crossing Near the Gilberton
Colliery- johnson Was
Badly Mangled.

A sad accident in which Charles johnson.
Of Wiggans, was instantly killed and John
Metcalf, Of the same place, seriously injured.
occurred at about - o'clock Saturday night
at the p. & r. crossing of the Gilberton col
liery siding and near the terminus of the
Schuylkill Traction line.
The men, with Joseph and William Glenn
son, also of Wiggans had spent the evening
at Gilberton. At about twelve o'clock they
started for home Metcalf and johnson
walked arm in arm absorbed in con
versatiOn and unconscious of what was
going on about them The Clemsons
were short distance behind Just
before the Traction line terminus was
reached the Clemsons met a friend and
stopped to talk with him. Metcalf and
johnson walked on. As they stepped on the
p. & r. crossing they were so deeply en-
gagged in conversation that they failed to
hear the rumbling of long train Of empty
coal cars pushed i'm their direction by engine
No 5l2. The cars were being pushed on to
The GilbertCn collery siding. The men
had hardly stepped upon the crossing
W hen they were struck and knocked
down. Metcalf was on the side farthest
from the cars. When struck he was
pushed aside and fell on the lower side
of the track. He was rendered unconscious
and when picked up his face was covered
with blood from a Gaping wound ON the
top of his head. His right eye was also
badly cut and there was another wound ex-
tending almost from the ear to the collar
bone. His back, across the shoulders, was
also injured. johnson fell so that his alb
domen was across one of the rails and his
body was almost cut in twain His entrails
were scattered along the track The body
was dragged a distance of fifteen yards.
The face was badly cut and bruised.
The Clemsons saw the cars stop suddenly,
but had no idea that their companions had
been struck by them until they heard brake
man call for help. They hurried to his as
sistance and assisted in the removal of the
victims.
The brakeman stood on the car which
struck the men. lie stated that he swung
his lantern in the air and called to the men,
but they paid no attention to the warming.
The crossing at this point is very danger
Gus. About a year ago Robert Grafton was
struck at the same place after alighting from
an electric car and lost one of his feet.
After fruitless effort had been made to
secure a physician in Gilberton, Metcalfs un-
conscious form with Johnson's body were
placed on the engine and taken to Wiggaus.
They were taken to their respective homes.
Under full head of steam the engine was
run to MahanOy City and returned to
Wiggans with DR. Watkins, who dressed
Johnson's body and Metcalrs injuries. The
latter is in a critical condition, but his
chances for recovery are good.
johnson was 80 years of age and is survived
by his wife and six children. The oldest
child is II years old and the youngest &
months He was a member of Eureka
Castle No. SO, Knights of the Golden Eagle,
Of Mahanoy City, and employed as loader
boss at the Bear Run colliery.
Metcalf is 40 years Of age and also has a
large family. He is employed as fire boss at
Bear Run. He is a member of Plank Ridge
Lodge No. $50, ]. o. o. F., Of town. Before
moving to Wiggans about three years ago he
was a resident of this town and while the
Knights Of Labor were very strong here,
about ten years ago, he was one of the most
active members.
Johnson's funeral will take place at 2
o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Interment
will be made in the Odd Fellows cemetery
at Tamaqua.