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Article Number: L 6.8.1876
Killed at a Barn Raising. On Tuesday, one of the most serious accidents took place near Waynesburg, Chester Co., that has happened in that locality for many years. The particulars are as follows: At the raising of a large barn of A. Clinton Buchanan, near the above village, quite a number of neighbors had assembled to assist the carpenters. While in the act of raising a heavy wall plate over the gable end wall, at the square on which another large one had been placed, and over which ropes were placed for the purpose of drawing up the timber by the men standing in the hay mow, both logs fell inwards with a terrible crash, instantly killing Mr. Thomas Nelems, one of the carpenters. He never breathed after receiving the stroke. His head was crushed flat, and his back and both legs were broken. A Mr. Marple also had his back broken and cannot survive. Lewis Lawry, the boss carpenter, is also seriously if not fatally injured. Fears are entertained that he cannot live. Mr. James Worrall was also badly injured. Several others barely escaped with their live, some of whom were more or less bruised. The above are all residents of Honeybrook. An inquest was held on the body of the victims by Elijah Bull, Esq., of Springfield, Deputy Coroner for the upper end of Chester county. The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. When taken home the scene was heart-rending. Mr. Nelems contemplated building a barn for himself next season, was working for Messrs. Lawry & Ammon this season, who, in turn, would work for him at this building. Deceased leaves a sorrowing and heart-broken wife with 7 interesting children to mourn his untimely end, who have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. Mr. Nelems owned a handsome little farm near the base of the Welsh Mountain on the road leading to Morgantown, was an honest, industrious, and highly respected gentleman. His many friends were horror stricken when they heard the news. The same may be said of Messrs. Marple and Lawry. This sad calamity is said to have been the result of mis-management. About two years ago a similar sad occurrence happened in the same neighborhood, in which one or more were fatally injured.
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L 3.14.1901
A correspondent writes: John Nelms was struck and instantly killed by the mail train going east on the Downingtown and Lancaster Railroad at 6:45 on Wednesday morning. The place of the accident was below town, on East Main street, where the railroad makes a sharp curve, just before it crosses the street. Nelms had a milk route and was out making his morning delivery. Whether he failed to see the coming train or thought he could cross will never be known. Eye witnesses say he drove directly on the tracks. Harry Stewart, who was coming in the opposite direction, ran and shouted to warn him, but he apparently did not hear. The horse was struck first, and so badly hurt that it had to be killed. It was torn loose from the wagon, which latter was reduced to kindling wood, and with the milk bottles, cans, and other contents strewn along the track for a distance of 100 yards before the train could be stopped. Nelms was carried upon the cow-catcher of the engine, and breathed but twice after the train-crew reached him. One leg was broken, and there were some cuts about the head, but death had evidently resulted from the shock. His body was placed upon the train and taken back to the railroad station, where it was taken charge of by an undertaker. Edward Nelms, a brother, was on the train, going to Downingtown, where he is in the employ of the P. R. R. Co. as a carpenter. A strange fatality seems to attend the Nelms family. The father, Thomas Nelms, who was a carpenter by trade, was killed by a falling building some years ago. Harry, a brother, was a brakeman on the branch, and was killed by falling between cars at Glen Moore, and this make the third violent death. John had had his own share of struggle also. For more than a year he was an invalid from an abscess on his liver, and had to go to the hospital for treatment. During his absence his wife heroically took his place on the milk wagon, serving his customers well and holding the business until her husband was able once more to resume his duties. She and three small children are left to mourn his tragic death, and have the sympathy of the entire community in their terrible affliction.
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