It was an ordinary day. Sunday, July 26, 1896 and 18-year-old Barbara Hershey and her escort, 23-year-old Enos Barge were headed home from a party at Witmer Station in their horse and buggy. While crossing the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks in a town known as Bird-in-Hand, their buggy was struck by a train. Barbie, as she was known, died instantly and Enos died less than 24 hours later. Barbie's cousin and her escort had just crossed the railroad tracks in their buggy on the dangerous curve seconds before the fateful accident. Barbara Hershey was born in June of 1878 and was one of 12 children of Peter and Barbara Buckwalter Hershey. It was only two months before the tragic accident that Peter and Barbara had lost two of their other children to scarlet fever. Mary was 8 years old and Ellen 3 years old when they died of the fever. Another child, Martha, survived the fever, but was left frail and deaf in one ear. Barbie was the delight of the Hershey family who lived on a farm along Strasburg Road in Paradise Township near the Strasburg Railroad. Barbie had dated Enos before, but had refrained from dating him again since he was several years older and ready to marry. Just so happened that the host family of the fateful party that Barbara and Enos attended had selected the two of them to be a couple when they drew names from a hat a few days before. Barbie thought she had the perfect reason for not going, since she wanted to go visit her oldest sister who had just had a baby. Her mom and dad nixed that saying they're going to visit and she should go to the party. When the news of the accident reached her mom and dad, Mom Hershey became so hysterical the doctor thought she might die. The railroad company offered a monetary settlement to the family to help pay for the funeral but father Peter declined the money saying that he would not accept money for his child's blood. Eventually the railroad sent a representative from Philadelphia and the Hershey's accepted free train passes for a train trip to Niagara Falls. I could never understand how they could board a train and ride to Niagara Falls after losing their daughter in a train accident.
 |
| This black and white shows Barbara's parents and her sister, Martha at Niagara Falls, NY |
After the death of Enos and Barbie, the Hershey family, who were strict Mennonites, removed themselves from the "things of this world" regarding dress and social events. They hosted fewer events and encouraged their remaining children to volunteer and become involved in mission projects. Lancaster County has a large Mennonite as well as Amish population. They have very strong religious beliefs and value family over everything. I have known a few Amish and find they are very loyal to their families as well as their church. Any one of them would do anything they could to help you if you needed help. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is well-known for our Amish and Mennonite populations which tend to draw visitors to our area. The rolling hills and farmland feature farm after farm with most occupied by the Amish and Mennonites. We are known as the "Garden Spot of America" and maintain that name due to those who farm the land in Lancaster County. I am proud of where I live and thank those who toil on the farms with helping Lancaster County keep our image. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
No comments:
Post a Comment