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Death of John Alfred Eshenbaugh, Armstrong Co., PA, 1950

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Death of John Alfred Eshenbaugh, Armstrong Co., PA, 1950

Posted: 6 Jul 2005 12:56PM GMT
Classification: Death
Edited: 5 Nov 2006 1:03PM GMT
Surnames: Eshenbaugh, Hotham, Woodward, Thompson, Sample, Higgins, Miller, Bakulich, John
From the VALLEY DAILY NEWS, Tarentum, PA, Thursday, 30 March 1950, pp. 1 and 16:

MINER KILLED INSTANTLY ON HIGHWAY...SOUTH BUFFALO MAN HIT BY AUTO

A South Buffalo Township miner was killed instantly last evening at 8:32 as he walked into the path of an automobile near the intersection of Highways 28 and 128, two and a half miles north of Freeport.

The victim is John Alfred Eshenbaugh, 30, who lived on the Baynard Way farm in South Buffalo Township.

The man was struck by a 1948 Buick sedan driven by Dr. H. DeVere Hotham, Freeport physician. Dr. Hotham, state police said, has been absolved from blame in the accident.

DEATH 'ACCIDENTAL' - Armstrong County Coroner Charles M. Woodward said today after investigation the death was "accidental" and he indicated there would be no inquest held. State police said no arrest would be made.

Russell Eshenbaugh, a brother of the victim, arrived at the scene in a truck shortly after the accident. He told police John had gone to see a motion picture in Freeport and was on his way home.

Whether he had walked from Freeport or had taken a bus to the intersection of Highways 28 and 128 was not determined today.

However, Dr. Hotham told police that the man "came from nowhere" and walked in front of his automobile. He said it happened so quickly he was unable to avoid hitting the man.

SKULL FRACTURED - Police said the man died instantly of a fracture [sic] skull, severe internal injuries and shock. The body was thrown to the East side of the road. Dr. Hotham, police said, was proceeding south when his car hit the man.

The radiator of the Hotham automobile was pushed against the fanbelt and Dr. Hotham was taken to Freeport by a friend who stopped at the scene.

The accident occurred opposite the home of C.D. Thompson along the Kittanning road.

One of the first persons to be summoned was South Buffalo Township Justice of the Peace Joseph J. Sample, who called state police in Kittanning and Coroner Woodward.

EMPLOYED BY SARVER COAL - Eshenbaugh was employed in the Coal Hollow mine of Sarver Coal Co. near Sarverville and was unmarried.

Born in Bagdad, Westmoreland County, Mr. Eshenbaugh leaves his parents Lewis and Elsie Eshenbaugh; seven brothers: Lewis, Roy, Charles, Thomas and Donald, all at home; Robert of Freeport, and Russell, of Buffalo Township.

Five sisters also survive. They are Mrs. Rose Higgins, of Tarentum; Mrs. Gladys Miller, of Route 1, Sarver; Mrs. Louella Bakulich, Richmond, Cal., Mrs. Grace John, of Buffalo Township, and Miss Ruth Eshenbaugh, at home.

Friends are being received in the Turner-Lloyd Funeral Home, Freeport, after 10 tomorrow morning. Funeral arrangements will be announced tomorrow.

From the VALLEY DAILY NEWS, Tarentum, PA, Friday, 31 March 1950, p. 28:

ESHENBAUGH - On Wednesday, March 29, 1950, John Alfred Eshenbaugh, 30, of South Buffalo Township. Friends received in the Turner-Lloyd funeral home, 601 High st., Freeport, where services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment Brookland Cemetery.

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