Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-03-18
REV. JOHN L.
ROBERTSON In
STANTLY KILLED
While Walking on Railroad
Track One Mile East of
Emporium, Near Fen
tons.
FATHER OF RECTOR OF EN-
MANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Funeral Services Sunday Afternoon
Largely Attended.

Last Friday afternoon about $3.50
O'Clock, REV. JAMES L. ROBERTSON,
a retired Presbyterian clergyman, of
Warren and Clarendon, who had
been visiting his son Rev. J.
M. Robertson, Rector of Emman.
uel Episcopal Church, started from
the Rectory to take a walk, which
he was almost daily in the habit of
doing when in Emporium, in fact
many times had walked for distances
over our mountains greatly enjoying
the scenery as well as the exercise.
Upon this occasion, the roads being
muddy he took the Pennsylvania r.
Il. track and must have gone as far as
Fenton's water tank, short distance
over one mile east of Emporium.
When returning, at 4:22, the Buffalo
Flyer, running fifty miles an hour,
struck him about 300 yards west of the
tank and threw him about twenty feet,
down twelve foot embankment, caus-
ing instant death. The engineer, Mr..
T. b. Jones, did not see the venerable
clergyman until two or three seconds
before his engine struck him, there
being quite sharp curve in the track
at that point and three tracks-the
supposition being that Mr.. Robertson
was on the south or middle track and
no doubt being confused Or in fact,
deep in thought and stepped onto the
north track and met his death. The
train was instantly stopped and the
body, which had fallen into a deep
ditch filled with water, was tenderly
carried to the train and brought to the
Pan-American depot at the Junction
for Identification. Coroner Larrabee
was notified and at five O'Clock went
to the junction and was shocked when
he recognized DIR. Robertson, with
whom he was we'll acquainted. His
son, Rev. j. M.Robertson was 'phoned
to come to the Junction and identify
the remains of a man that had been
killed" and all can imagine the awful
shock to the son to find the remains to
be those of his beloved father.
Acting Coroner Larrabee empannell-
ed following jury, who upon viewing
the remains and examining the rail-
road engineer, Mr.. T. e. Jones and
fireman, Mr.. E.O. Smith, rendered the
verdict as accidental death: Thomas
Moran, Chas. Britton, E. L. Ikens,
Fred Haupt, Herman Malin and T. F.
Armstrong.
Mr.. Charles w. Rishell, of Geo. j.
LaBar's undertaking establishment,
took charge Of the body and removed
it to their establishment and prepared
it for burial
The awful calamity to the bereaved
family of our highly esteemed Rector,
Rev. James M. Robertson, was very
generally deeply regretted and lament
en-. The kind and exceedingly pleasant
gentleman had endeared himself to
hosts of our citizens and frequently oc-
cupied the Presby Church pull
pit, especially during the pastorate of
the late Rev. Mr.. McCasln. After the
death of Rev. McCaslin he edited the
memoirs of his deceased friend. DR..
Robertson bad agreed to occupy the
pulpit of First Methodist Episcopal
Church last Sunday morning and it is
thought that at the time he met his
death he was deeply in thought over
this sermon. That this strong and able
servant of his Master, after AZ years of
labor N behalf of his fellow man should
be taken away in this ruthless manner
is one of Gods mysterious ways and it
is not for us to question.
Deceased was born at Queenston
Heights, Canada, Feb. 14th, 1888; was
married in 1860 to Miss Mary Jane
Russell, of Stanford, Ont; his wife
died in 1891. To this union four child
rem was born, viz: Col. John R., of
New York City; DR.. w. NJ, the lead.
ing physician of Warren, Pa; Rev. j.
NJ. Robertson, Rector of Emmanuel
Episcopal Church, Emporium, Pa,