James P. Brady was the son of James and Catharine Brady of Delaware County. He was a born railroader, working for the Pennsylvania Railroad for nearly 33 years. At the time of his death, he was a passenger conductor on the West Chester branch.
On January 25, 1905, his day began like any other. Despite a severe snow storm, he managed to run his train out of Philadelphia towards West Chester via Media. The train, unfortunately, became stuck in a drift near Westtown Station. Unable to extricate the train, the crew and passengers remained on board, while Brady walked down the line to West Chester to summon help.
The morning of the 26th saw Brady reach West Chester at about 8 o'clock. After reporting in to the stationmaster there, a rescue train composed of two engines with a car in between was made ready, and they set off towards Westtown.
Brady took up a position on the pilot of the lead engine to signal if anything went wrong. As the train approached a bridge just north of Oakbourne Station, the brakes were put on. The jolt of the application threw Brady from the pilot, over the edge of the bridge,and onto the icy creek below. Though badly injured, he managed to crawl off the ice. No one had seen him fall, and he remained there for over half an hour, when the rescue train returned.
He was taken immediately to the Chester County hospital with a badly broken arm and severe internal injuries. With his wife Margaret at his side, and Father Spalding of St. Agnes Catholic Church administering last rites, Conductor James P. Brady passed away at about 1'clock in the afternoon of January 26, 1905. He left behind his wife and young son.
After a viewing in his home at 214 East Gay Street, his funeral mass was held on January 30, 1905, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Elmer Stapleton presiding. Numerous friends and family members attended, as did a number of railroadmen. He was interred in St. Agnes Cemetery that afternoon.
On January 25, 1905, his day began like any other. Despite a severe snow storm, he managed to run his train out of Philadelphia towards West Chester via Media. The train, unfortunately, became stuck in a drift near Westtown Station. Unable to extricate the train, the crew and passengers remained on board, while Brady walked down the line to West Chester to summon help.
The morning of the 26th saw Brady reach West Chester at about 8 o'clock. After reporting in to the stationmaster there, a rescue train composed of two engines with a car in between was made ready, and they set off towards Westtown.
Brady took up a position on the pilot of the lead engine to signal if anything went wrong. As the train approached a bridge just north of Oakbourne Station, the brakes were put on. The jolt of the application threw Brady from the pilot, over the edge of the bridge,and onto the icy creek below. Though badly injured, he managed to crawl off the ice. No one had seen him fall, and he remained there for over half an hour, when the rescue train returned.
He was taken immediately to the Chester County hospital with a badly broken arm and severe internal injuries. With his wife Margaret at his side, and Father Spalding of St. Agnes Catholic Church administering last rites, Conductor James P. Brady passed away at about 1'clock in the afternoon of January 26, 1905. He left behind his wife and young son.
After a viewing in his home at 214 East Gay Street, his funeral mass was held on January 30, 1905, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Elmer Stapleton presiding. Numerous friends and family members attended, as did a number of railroadmen. He was interred in St. Agnes Cemetery that afternoon.
James P. Brady was the son of James and Catharine Brady of Delaware County. He was a born railroader, working for the Pennsylvania Railroad for nearly 33 years. At the time of his death, he was a passenger conductor on the West Chester branch.
On January 25, 1905, his day began like any other. Despite a severe snow storm, he managed to run his train out of Philadelphia towards West Chester via Media. The train, unfortunately, became stuck in a drift near Westtown Station. Unable to extricate the train, the crew and passengers remained on board, while Brady walked down the line to West Chester to summon help.
The morning of the 26th saw Brady reach West Chester at about 8 o'clock. After reporting in to the stationmaster there, a rescue train composed of two engines with a car in between was made ready, and they set off towards Westtown.
Brady took up a position on the pilot of the lead engine to signal if anything went wrong. As the train approached a bridge just north of Oakbourne Station, the brakes were put on. The jolt of the application threw Brady from the pilot, over the edge of the bridge,and onto the icy creek below. Though badly injured, he managed to crawl off the ice. No one had seen him fall, and he remained there for over half an hour, when the rescue train returned.
He was taken immediately to the Chester County hospital with a badly broken arm and severe internal injuries. With his wife Margaret at his side, and Father Spalding of St. Agnes Catholic Church administering last rites, Conductor James P. Brady passed away at about 1'clock in the afternoon of January 26, 1905. He left behind his wife and young son.
After a viewing in his home at 214 East Gay Street, his funeral mass was held on January 30, 1905, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Elmer Stapleton presiding. Numerous friends and family members attended, as did a number of railroadmen. He was interred in St. Agnes Cemetery that afternoon.
On January 25, 1905, his day began like any other. Despite a severe snow storm, he managed to run his train out of Philadelphia towards West Chester via Media. The train, unfortunately, became stuck in a drift near Westtown Station. Unable to extricate the train, the crew and passengers remained on board, while Brady walked down the line to West Chester to summon help.
The morning of the 26th saw Brady reach West Chester at about 8 o'clock. After reporting in to the stationmaster there, a rescue train composed of two engines with a car in between was made ready, and they set off towards Westtown.
Brady took up a position on the pilot of the lead engine to signal if anything went wrong. As the train approached a bridge just north of Oakbourne Station, the brakes were put on. The jolt of the application threw Brady from the pilot, over the edge of the bridge,and onto the icy creek below. Though badly injured, he managed to crawl off the ice. No one had seen him fall, and he remained there for over half an hour, when the rescue train returned.
He was taken immediately to the Chester County hospital with a badly broken arm and severe internal injuries. With his wife Margaret at his side, and Father Spalding of St. Agnes Catholic Church administering last rites, Conductor James P. Brady passed away at about 1'clock in the afternoon of January 26, 1905. He left behind his wife and young son.
After a viewing in his home at 214 East Gay Street, his funeral mass was held on January 30, 1905, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Elmer Stapleton presiding. Numerous friends and family members attended, as did a number of railroadmen. He was interred in St. Agnes Cemetery that afternoon.
Inscription
JAMES BRADY. / 1855-1905. / MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
