2 Dec 1913: Jerome S. Gingrich, assistant superintendent of the Lebanon lines of the Reading transit company, was instantly killed at the Sixteenth street car barn, shortly after 7 o'clock this morning, his head being crushed between a repair car and a roadway truck. It was the very irony of fate that he should be a victim of an accident against which he had warned his fellow employees hundreds of times. It was only half an hour after he left his home that his wife and daughters were notified of his death, and their grief is overwhelming. Mr. Gingrich had planned some roadway repairs for the stretch of line near the Frieden's Lutheran Church, at Myerstown. When he reached the barn this morning, he found that his assistants had the truck filled with new ties ready for him, and the regular roadway car was in position to pull it to the scene of action. Mr. Gingrich decided, however, that he wanted the repair car, which has a top platform for work on the trolley wire, as he proposed to do some overhead work on the same trip. The tie truck was therefore left on the curve running out of the car barn, and the other car was secured from a siding. Abel Light was the motorman, and he operated the car from the platform nearest the truck, so that he could see every operation In the coupling process. Irwin Funk, a young man, employed on the force, attempted the coupling, standing on the outside of the curve—a position for such work which Gingrich had always demanded on the part of all employees, to insure their safety. On a curve, it is possible for cars to back directly against each other on the ends at the Inside of the curve, hence the precaution. On a straight line, the coupling apparatus itself affords the necessary protection. Funk was unable to get the coupling rod in position, however, and Gingrich, impatient to get started, stepped in from the inside of the curve, in direct violation of his repeated orders to others. Taking the coupling rod In his hand, he gave the order for the car to back against the truck, as he guided the rod toward the socket of the truck coupler. The next Instant his life was crushed out. The coupling rod instead of penetrating the socket, struck the edge the force of the contact wrested both of the movable pieces from his hand, and as they swung out of place, the car ran up against the truck with Gingrich's head between. Motorman Light backed the car away as soon as possible, and Gingrich fell to the ground on his face. He uttered not so much as a moan, the employees say. The Injured man was hurried into the car barn, and Dr. E. H. Gingrich, the company physician, was summoned, but his services were useless. It was found that the pressure on the sides of the head had split the skull at the hack, causing almost instant death. The only other evidence of the injury was under the left ear where there was a cut in the flesh, probably from a bolt. Dr. John Walter, the family physician, also responded to a summons, and arrived shortly after the accident. With nothing to be done for the unfortunate victim of the accident, Dr. Gingrich sewed up the wounds to prepare the body for burial. The victim of the accident lived at No. 1509 Cumberland Street, just a few doors from the car barn, and his wife and two daughters arrived a few minutes after the news of the tragedy reached them. Jerome S. Gingrich met his fate within a square of the place where he was born, 46 years ago, and raised, and in a neighborhood where he spent most of his life. He was a son of the late George and Elizabeth Gingrich. His father owned the farm, years ago, on which the Colebrook furnace plant is now located on the west side of Sixteenth and Cumberland streets. The victim of this morning's accident was the youngest member of a large family, all of which were born and raised on the farm referred to. Mr. Gingrich leaves a wife, who was Miss Loretta Kieffer; two daughters, Ruth and Sarah, at home, and a grandchild, Ruth Gingrich. Mrs. Christ Bowman, residing at the Sporting Hill toll gate, and Mrs. Moses Snyder, residing at Iona, are sisters, and he also leaves the following brothers: Rev. Aaron Gingrich, of Fairland; Cyrus and John Gingrich, of Fittery's store; Monroe Gingrich, of Swatara Township; Uriah Gingrich, of Cleona; Daniel Gingrich, residing in the west. Mr. Gingrich early in life learned the carpentering trade which he followed until shortly after the local street railway lines were built. He then entered the street railway service, and continued there for upward of twenty years, advancing from one post to another until he became the master mechanic, and later assistant superintendent. He was a most capable man, and was a valuable assistant to Mr. Louser, and he assumed charge of all constructive work on the line as well as in the barn, and his energy and general ability made him a most competent official. Superintendent Louser, who appeared at the barn shortly after the accident, was deeply shocked, and later gave the account of the accident to inquirers with his voice choking, and with tears streaming from his eyes. The relations between the two men were most intimate and cordial, and with perfect understanding between them, the affairs of the road were materially benefited. Gingrich spent several hours in Louser's office as late as Monday evening, and with several friends present, they reveled in good fellowship. Immediately after the accident, Deputy Coroner J. Herbert Manbeck was notified, and was taken to the scene on a special car, which was sent for the purpose. The question of holding an inquest is being held under legal advisement. The body was taken in charge by Undertaker W. H. Stelner, who returned it to the home after conveying it to his morgue for proper preparation for burial. The accident created a mild panic among the employees. Abel Light, the motorman on the car, which caused the trouble, was rendered so ill that he had to go home. He is an experienced motorman, having run at times on the main line. The other employees were also seriously affected. The assistant superintendent was held in high regard by the men under him, as well as by his superiors, and the employees expressed a grief as of personal bereavement in the death of the official. [Lebanon Daily News]