Strange, but true, this story appeared in the West Schuylkill Herald, July 15, 1932, about a man who was fishing and hunting who became tired and decided to rest between the rails of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad line. After covering himself with leaves, he became aware of the approaching train, and while attempting to escape to safety, he was decapitated and his body was badly mangled by the train. The accident occurred near Gold Mine, outside Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
SLEEPING FISHERMAN KILLED ON RAILROAD
Because he slept too soundly, Mason English, 35 years, of Sheridan, lost his life on Tuesday morning at 8:30 o’clock when he was decapitated by a Reading Railroad train. The accident happened on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Branch in Dauphin County, near Gold Mine.
English and two companions, Uriah Wise and William E. Minnich, both of Reinerton, left here about midnight Monday to fish and hunt groundhogs in the Gold Mine section, west of the High Bridge. Early in the morning English left his two companions who were fishing, to hunt groundhogs. Near the scene of the accident freshly moved dirt at a hole indicated that he had located an animal, and probably had become tired after the loss of the previous night’s sleep and the exertion of digging, had decided to lie down awhile and rest.
He cut several branches from nearby trees and lying down between the rails covered himself with the leaves as a protection against the sun and the flies which are very annoying in the woods. Whether he merely intended to rest, or to sleep a short while is not known, but he fell asleep and did not hear the approach of the train which runs on that line only once a day, until it had borne down upon him, when he made a frantic effort to escape.
Engineer Fred Schappel, who was at the throttle, and A. Sweigert, the fireman, saw the mound of leaves in the track, but supposing it to have been only a branch blown by the high winds, did not slow up, and it was only when the engine was but a few yards suddenly heave up and the form of a man quickly attempting to arise. It was too late, however, for either the prostrate man or the engineer to avoid the accident.
The crew, as soon as the engine came to a halt, ran to the place where the mangled body lay. The head was completely severed, also the right arm above the elbow, there was a deep gash across the left breast that exposed the heart, the left arm was broken, the right leg broken in two places, the left leg broken, and the left knee crushed. It was a terrible sight which met their gaze.
Identification at first was made through a fishing license on the cap as Elmer English, of Reinerton, a brother, but upon receipt of a message to agent W. J. Netherwood at Tower City from the Pine Grove agent, it was learned that the dead man was wearing his brother’s cap, and that it was Mason English, and not Elmer, who was killed.
The body was brought to Pine Grove where it was taken in charge by undertaker J. F. Dreisigacker, and brought to their establishment in Tower City. So badly mutilated and discolored was the head that identification was at first difficult, but after preparation by the undertakers, it was possible to make positive identification.
English is survived by his widow, nee Lottie Thompson, two sons, William English and Charles English, and four daughters, Arlene English, Helen English, Blanche English, and Jacqueline English. His mother, Mrs. Annie E. English, seven brothers, and four sisters also survive , as follows: William English, well-known ice dealer of Tower City; Edith Holderman, wife of Dr. J. H. Holderman, of Pine Grove; Lloyd English and Elmer English, of Reinerton; Jean, wife of ——- of Port Carbon; Helen English, of Harrisburg; Esther English, Robert English; Richard English, Allen English, of Reinerton, and Norman English of Reinerton.
His father, Charles English, also met a tragic death twelve years ago at No. 1 Tunnel when he was killed in a mine accident. Mason was working with his father at the time, and narrowly escaped the same fate then.
Charles Mason English was born at Reinerton thirty-five years ago, and resided in Porter Township almost his entire life. Sixteen years ago he was married to Lottie Thompson, of Sheridan, and the family has resided at that place for a number of years. He was employed at Williamstown Colliery of the Susquehanna Collieries Company but this mine has been idle for the past three weeks. He was active in his district, and was the Republican Committeeman in Porter West for the past six years.
Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Williamstown local of the United Mine Workers.
The funeral will be held from his late home at Sheridan on Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock. Services will be conducted by Rev. E. LeRoy Eberhart, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tower City. Burial will be made in the United Brethren cemetery at Orwin.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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