A colorized portrait of James R. Spangler, probably from around 1900. Spangler died as a result of a mining accident at Short Mountain Colliery, Lykens/Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The following is from the article that appeared in the Lykens Standard, July 17, 1925:
JAMES SPANGLER, VICTIM OF MINE ACCIDENT YESTERDAY
James Spangler of West North Second Street, this place [Lykens}, met almost instant death yesterday afternoon about 1 P. M. while employed at mining coal in No. 3 level, Short Mountain Colliery, of the Susquehanna Collieries Company, when a shot which he and his fellow workman Joseph Hentz were about to fire exploded prematurely.
Hentz escaped uninjured, except for slight contusions and shock, but Spangler was badly mangled.
His body was recovered about two o’clock and taken to the undertaking parlor of Reiff & Helt, where the body was prepared for burial.
Mr. Spangler was aged 45 years, was born in Lykens, and was the son of George Spangler and Annie Spangler.
Surviving are his wife and the following children: James Spangler, Evelyn Spangler, Melvin Spangler, Marth Spangler, LeRoy Spangler, and Alfred Spangler. Three sisters, Mrs. Alfred Grimm of this place; Mrs. Irvin Daubert and Mrs. Edgar Zimmerman both of Llewellyn, and one brother William Spangler, also survive.
Fraternally he was a member of the Junior Order United American mechanics, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Loyal Order of Moose. He was also connected with Liberty Hose Company of the place; was quite active for the improvement to West Borough Park and his petition was filed for Council for the West Ward, this borough, for the fall primary.
At the time of going to press no arrangements were completed for the funeral.
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The portrait was cropped and colorized from one publicly posted on Ancestry.com. The news article was obtained from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.