DEATHS AND FUNERALS
John O’Goreck, formerly of this place [Lykens], but for about two years an inmate of the county home, was run down by an express train on the P. & R. R. while walking in the cut near what is known as the poor house late Thursday morning of last week and instantly killed, the body being horribly mangled. O’Goreck started away from the home shortly after breakfast for a walk, and was going through the cut towards Harrisburg when the train due in that city at 7 o’clock came thundering along. The engineer claims he blew several alarms, but instead of O’Goreck getting out of the war he kept on in front of the train and was hurled with great force for some distance, but the appearance of the body would indicate that it was rolled along under the train, as his trousers and shoes were torn off and fragments of limestone and cinder from the roadbed squeezed into the flesh over the entire body. He was somewhat hard of hearing and it is thought that he failed to hear the engine’s approach or the whistle. The remains were taken to Harrisburg and placed in charge of an undertaker, and his children at this place [Lykens] notified. His son Joseph O’Goreck, went to that city [Harrisburg] to claim the body and returned with it in the evening, when it was taken to his residence on South Second Street. The funeral was held on Saturday morning, services being conducted in St. Mary’s church by Rev. Charles J. Galligan, after which the remains were laid to rest in the German Catholic Cemetery, The pall-bearers were Lewis Hoffman, Paul O‘Melia, Ambrose Bopp, Albert J. Fritz, Anthony Fritz, Anthony Fisher and Elijah Page.
Deceased was a native of Poland and came to this country about 48 years ago. He was a miner by occupation but had not engaged in any work for a number of years. He is survived by three sons and one daughter, viz: John O’Goreck, Joseph O’Goreck, and Peter O’Goreck, and Josephine Goreck [Mrs. John Page], all of this place. For over nine years prior to going to the country home he resided with his son Joseph.
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From the Lykens Standard, 15 April 1904, via Newspapers.com.
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