Hartranft, John - 1881

Driving Accidents,--
As John Hartranft and his son, U. F. Hartranft, of Brannerville, were driving near Peter Risser’s, in Clay township, last Monday morning, one of the backing straps became detached, allowing the carriage to run against the horse, which started him down hill toward Clay, the driver losing all control over him.  The road is stony there, with deep gutters and high breaks, and as it went over these it threw the occupants against the top with their heads.  U. F. Hartranft was thrown out between the wheels, the carriage passing over him, tearing his clothing badly and bruising him all over.  He is hurt mostly on the head and in the side, but no bones are broken.  He is, however, confined to bed.  John Hartranft, who was driving, got the horse stopped before he reached Clay, escaping with a few bruises on his head by being thrown against the roof of the carriage, and sore feeling by having received such a terrible shaking.

On Sunday, Jefferson Keener, Hiram Hollinger, Susan Hollinger and Emma Achey, of this place, started on a drive in a two-horse carriage for Sheafferstown.  In going down the long hill about three miles south of Sheafferstown the harness broke and the horses started to run at a rapid rate.  The carriage upset and the occupants were all thrown out and injured more or less, but none seriously.

On Tuesday evening a two-year-old boy of Daniel Cohick fell out the rear of a wagon at Tshudy’s crossing.  He fell upon his head and cried terribly for a while.  The injuries sustained were not of a serious character.
~ The Lititz Record, 02-Sept-1881, Page 2, Column 2


Personal.--
Levi Hartranft, of Illinois, brother of John Hartranft, of Brunnerville, is here on a visit.
~ The Lititz Record, 30-Sept-1881, Page 3, Column 4


Runaways.--
On Monday morning the four-horse team of Mr. Hartranft, of Clay, while passing the butcher-house took fright at some objects and started on a run.  They at one gained pretty good headway, and by the time that hey passed the plough-works and crossed the railroad they caused considerable excitement and created a fearful racket.  They passed Front street at a rather lively gait.

When a piece further on the driver, who all this while was hanging to the lines, received assistance in bringing them to a halt.  No fatal results happened to either driver or horses, more than a severe shaking up of the nervous system.  The driver, a son of Mr. Hartranft, played his part nobly and deserves much praise for thus holding on to the horses.  Had he not done so, there is no telling what the consequences would have been.
~ The Lititz Record, 21-Oct-1881, Page 3, Column 4

You can visit the memorial page for John Hartranft.