On Sunday noon Amos Hershberger and Harry Lutz, residing with their parents at Palmyra, both aged about 14 years, determined to go to Hummelstown and with that object in view mounted a west-bound freight train which was then pulling out. When they arrived at their destination the boys jumped off but Hershberger slipped and fell under the cars. The wheels passed over both feet severing that almost from the left leg and terribly crushing the right. He was given attention by Dr. Shaffer, of that place, but owing to the gravity of the injury the doctor directed that he be sent to the hospital in Harrisburg. A telegram was sent to the parents of Hershberger at Palmyra informing them of the accident and of the removal of their boy to a Harrisburg hospital. The father took the first west-bound train for Harrisburg. The Reading railroad ran an engine and car from Hummelstown to Harrisburg and the boy was taken to the hospital in the police ambulance about 2:30. He was very weak from loss of blood when admitted as his wound had bled profusely while he was being brought to that city, and no operation was performed until 8 o'clock Sunday night when the hospital surgeons amputated his left leg near the knee and the right near the ankle, hoping to save the lad's life. At midnight his condition was critical. The unfortunate boy was very well developed for his years. His father, Albert Hershberger, reached the unfortunate lad's bedside at a late hour Sunday night. Hershberger died this morning at 1:50. Harry Lutz, who also jumped from the train, received a severe bump on the back of his head and several scratches, but was not seriously injured. As soon as he learned of the misfortune that had befallen his companion he became greatly excited and worried and at once started to walk home. When he was told that he might wait for the next east-bound train and ride home, he replied, "I have had enough of jumping trains. I will never jump one again." It is said some of the boys at Palmyra have been in the habit of stealing rides on freight trains, but this should be a sufficient warning to all of them, and doubtless it will be. When the news of young Hershberger's death reached Palmyra this morning, it cast a feeling of gloom upon the community and great sympathy is felt for the sorrowing parents. [Lebanon Daily News, February 5, 1897, Page 1]