Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
NameJames “Jim” Donaldson 
Birthabt 1874
Death28 Jan 1896, Baltimore City, Maryland
Burial30 Jan 1896, Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore City, Maryland
OccupationBill distributor
Cause of deathRun over by a B&O freight car
FatherJames Donaldson (~1845-1877)
MotherCatherine “Kate” McCordick (~1837-1929)
Documentation
On 29 January 1896, The Baltimore Sun reported:
James Donaldson, of 121 North Chapel street, was run over and killed by a B. and O. freight car at Pratt and South streets.
[The Baltimore Sun, 19 January 1896, page 1.]
On 29 January 1896, The Baltimore Sun reported:
KILLED BY A FREIGHT CAR,
James Donaldson Was Run Over at Pratt and South Streets.
Early yesterday morning James Donaldson, who lived at 121 North Chapel street, was run over and killed by a B. and O. freight car at the corner of Pratt and South streets.
The car was one of a train that was being pushed along Pratt street by a shifting locomotive. Donaldson and two companions, John and Matthew Schiek, whose home is on Lombard street, between Ann and Wolfe streets, were taking a free ride on the train.
Coroner Hill investigated the case yesterday, and decided that as the death was due to an accident no inquest was necessary. From the fact brought out at the investigation it was learned that the three men had been together all night. A short time before 4 o’clock in the morning they started down Pratt street, walking toward their homes. At Pratt and Eutaw streets they met the freight train, which was moving slowly. The tran was going east and the locomotive was behind it. The three men climbed upon one of the cars about midway of the rain and rode as far as Pratt and South streets, where Donaldson and Matthew Schiek got off.
C. T. Smith, a trainman, told the coroner that he then asked the men to remain off the train, but, as John Schiek had stayed on, the others ran after the car and tried to board it again. Matthew Schiek got on all right, but Donaldson’s foot missed the step, he lost his grip on the hand-rails and fell under the wheels, which passed over his abdomen. The train was stopped and he was extricated, but he had died almost instantly.
[The Baltimore Sun, 29 January 1896, page 8.]
From Bill Zorzi, 3 May 2000:
Next up in the Hit Parade of Tragedy is the other James Donaldson (1874?-1896), who died at age 22 when he was struck by a B&O freight car at E. Pratt and South Sts., according to his death certificate. This, I believe, is the son of James and Catherine -- the "Uncle Jim" mentioned by my great aunt and the one you included as James "Jim" Donaldson on your website. He never married. He is identified on the death certificate as a "bill distributor," which I assume means he was employed to distribute handbills or posting bills on walls.
James Donaldson, of 121 North Chapel street, was run over and killed by a B. and O. freight car at Pratt and South streets.
[The Baltimore Sun, 19 January 1896, page 1.]
On 29 January 1896, The Baltimore Sun reported:
KILLED BY A FREIGHT CAR,
James Donaldson Was Run Over at Pratt and South Streets.
Early yesterday morning James Donaldson, who lived at 121 North Chapel street, was run over and killed by a B. and O. freight car at the corner of Pratt and South streets.
The car was one of a train that was being pushed along Pratt street by a shifting locomotive. Donaldson and two companions, John and Matthew Schiek, whose home is on Lombard street, between Ann and Wolfe streets, were taking a free ride on the train.
Coroner Hill investigated the case yesterday, and decided that as the death was due to an accident no inquest was necessary. From the fact brought out at the investigation it was learned that the three men had been together all night. A short time before 4 o’clock in the morning they started down Pratt street, walking toward their homes. At Pratt and Eutaw streets they met the freight train, which was moving slowly. The tran was going east and the locomotive was behind it. The three men climbed upon one of the cars about midway of the rain and rode as far as Pratt and South streets, where Donaldson and Matthew Schiek got off.
C. T. Smith, a trainman, told the coroner that he then asked the men to remain off the train, but, as John Schiek had stayed on, the others ran after the car and tried to board it again. Matthew Schiek got on all right, but Donaldson’s foot missed the step, he lost his grip on the hand-rails and fell under the wheels, which passed over his abdomen. The train was stopped and he was extricated, but he had died almost instantly.
[The Baltimore Sun, 29 January 1896, page 8.]
From Bill Zorzi, 3 May 2000:
Next up in the Hit Parade of Tragedy is the other James Donaldson (1874?-1896), who died at age 22 when he was struck by a B&O freight car at E. Pratt and South Sts., according to his death certificate. This, I believe, is the son of James and Catherine -- the "Uncle Jim" mentioned by my great aunt and the one you included as James "Jim" Donaldson on your website. He never married. He is identified on the death certificate as a "bill distributor," which I assume means he was employed to distribute handbills or posting bills on walls.
Spouses
Unmarried
No Children