75 Years Ago

Herald of Feb. 20, 1947

The first eye-witness radio broadcast of the train wreck involving the Red Arrow was given by Wilbert L. Ketner of Henrietta over WFBG, Altoona. The eastbound Red Arrow derailed and went down a 200 foot embankment on the Bennington Curve east of the Gallitzin Tunnel at 3:25 a.m. on Feb. 18, killing 22 and injuring 105. During the following day Ketner made seven broadcasts, including a coast-to-coast report of the tragedy on the Robert McCormick program.

The Martinsburg Booster Association voted to ask the school boards of the borough and neighboring townships to contact...