DR. GEO.  H. LANDIS KILLED
He was deaf and in the habit of crossing the P. & R. tracks.
Struck by an Engine Near the Depot-No One Saw the Accident

	Dr. George H. Landis, 919 North 8th st., met with a shocking death near the old P. & R. dispatchers office about 10:35 a.m.  He had an office in Birdsboro and made daily trips to that place.  He came up the W. & N. road, on Conductor Thomas Pennington's train and shortly afterwards started for home, intending to cross the tracks at the upper end of the shedding or near the signal tower.
	Thomas Wertz, engineer of engine No. 47 was making a flying switch about the time Dr. Landis came along on one of the numerous side tracks just south of the old dispatcher's office.  "I saw Mr. Landis standing between the tracks on the fireman's side," said Mr. Wertz, "but did not think he intended crossing.  The first intimation I had that anything had happened was the sight of the unfortunate man's hat which flew across the track back of the tank.  I called to my fireman, John Sheldon, what that was but he had not seen the man.  I soon discovered that I had struck the old gentleman and he was carried into one of the tower rooms in the old dispatcher's office.
  The victim's right hand was severed about the wrist and crushed about the shoulder.  His hand was also crushed.  It is supposed he was struck by the pole attached to the tank and knocked over, but as no one saw the accident this theory cannot be verified.  It is believed that after the engineer had made the flying switch the doctor supposed the engine would pull ahead and attempted to cross the track, when he was struck by the edge of the tank and knocked down.
	Dr. Landis had been in the habit of crossing the tracks at that point almost daily, and, it is said had been warned by the employees as on several occasions he came near being caught.  He was very deaf and probably never heard the warnings that were given him.  At least the men say he never made any reply.
	The deceased was 62 years of age and leaves a widow and 3 sons, Wesley, Peter and Samuel Landis, all of this city.
	Dr. Landis was a native of Lancaster county and came to Reading nearly 25 years ago.  He had a large practice in Birdsboro and vicinity.
	On his arrival from Birdsboro, he passed around the station on the south side and held a brief conversation with Samuel Barrett, caterer at the depot restaurant.  He said he was not feeling well and complained of pain across his chest.
	The remains were taken to his home by Charles Henninger & Son.  Deceased was a brother of James Landis, machinist.
	Coroner Hoffman will hold an inquest this evening.

A Verdict of Accidental Death

	Coroner Hoffman held an inquest on the remains of Dr. George H. Landis, killed on the P. & R. railroad near the dispatcher's office.  The testimony of John Muldoon, conductor; Thomas H. Wertz, engineer; John Sheldon, fireman, and Amos S. Sweitzer, brakeman, of shifting engine No. 47; and John A. Freck, yard watchman, was heard.  All testified that deceased was in the habit for years of crossing the railroad tracks at that point, where he was killed, notwithstanding that there is no crossing there and that he was warned repeatedly not to do so.  It was a frequent occurrence to see him standing along the tracks watching the many trains shifting in the yard, and was often followed by employees to see that he was not run down.  The jury rendered a verdict of accidental death
[Reading Eagle, August 18, 1891]