The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-10-08
RAILROAD FATALITY.
John S. Phillips Struck by D.
L. & w. Train Tuesday
Afternoon.
Death Followed at Hospital.

John S. Phillips, for many years
resident of Bloomsbury, but for
the last year or more resident OF
Berwick, where he was employed
in the paint yards Of the American
Car & Foundry Company, was
struck by the south bound pass
enger train on the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western Railroad, a short
distance below the station at about
AIS Tuesday afternoon, and was
injured so badly that he died at
the Mary Packer Hospital at Sun
bury at ten o'clock the same night.
The accident, SO far as we have
been able to learn, was witnessed
by but one person, boy by the
name of Tase Coleman. He says
Phillips was walking along the
track, on the outside of the rail, and
had just turned his head, looking
toward the School Furnishing Com
pany, when the engine struck him,
and buried him distance of pro.
badly twelve feet.
The train was stopped, and the
injured man placed in the train
which was backed up to the station.
An examination revealed the fact
that the injuries were of fatal
nature. His face was covered with
blood, and was beyond recognition.
The entire upper part of the face
was crushed, the lower jaw was
shattered, several teeth were knock
ed out, his neck bore several deep
gashes, and his leg was broken.
lie was conscious, but could not
talk.
He was removed from the station
to the Office of Doctor Bruner ON
Market Street, where the doctor
assisted by Doctor John dressed the
wounds. The physicians decided
that it would be best to take him to
the Mary Packer Hospital, think
ing that his life might be saved. He
was accordingly taken down on the
evening train, by Doctor Redeker.
His condition upon arrival at the
hospital showed slight improvement
and the physicians of the institution
Immediately placed him under the
influence OF ether, and set the
fractured leg. He recovered from
the effects of the ether, but in a few
minutes there after, he began to
sink and at ten o'clock he passed
away.
The deceased was fifty.seven
years Of age, and is survived by a
wife aud two sons Ralph and Frank.
He was Il man of more than ordi-
nary intelligence and at one time
owned half interest in the Colum-
bia County Republican. His partner
in the newspaper business was D..
A. Beckley. He was at one time
employed as foreman of the Job
printing department OF the Wilkes
Barre Ree0rd and was also FORE
man of the COLUMBIAN Office from
1875 to 1881. He had not worked
at the trade for many years. About
two years ago he was employed by
Bryfogle Bros, florists. and went
from there to Berwick where he has
since resided.
About half past three o'clock on
Tuesday he appeared at the Office
Of the School Furnishing Factory
and applied for work. He secured
a position in the finishing depart
ment and was to report the next
morning. 1t was while coming from
the Furnishing Factory that the
accident occurred.
A very peculiar feature of the
accident is that engineer Harry
Seiple, who claims to have been
looking ahead, failed to observe
any one on the track. Neither did
fireman AL Mosier see any one.
The engineer was Of the opinion
that the man was on the front end
of the engine and had fallen off.
The body was brought to Blooms
burg yesterday morning and will
be buried from his son Ralph's
home tomorrow at ten o'clock.
Four of his former fellow-workmen
and friends at the Paint shop, Ber-
wick, will act as pall-bearers. The
services will be private.