onihoffm.html

The Evening Columbian, Vancouver, WA., March 9, 1932, page 3

NEPHEW VIEWS BODY OF VICTIM
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CAMAS -- Mar. 9. -- (Special) -- Absolute identification of the body of Nicholas Hoffman, killed Monday night when he fell beneath the wheels of an S.P. & S. train before the Camas depot, was made here this morning by Matthias Simons, Grass Valley, nephew of the dead man.
According to Simons, Hoffman had been a resident of Klickitat county at Lyle since taking a homestead in that region in 1905. He was a property owner there and had come through Camas on a business transaction as indicated by papers found in his pocket at the time of his death. Simons denied that his uncle was a vagrant and was attempting to steal a ride at the time he was killed.
Funeral services are to be held at Lyle tomorrow.

The Camas Post, Camas, WA., March 11, 1932, page 1

ATTEMPTS TO HOP TRAIN; CRUSHED
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Nicholas Hoffman Killed by No. 8 Here Monday Night
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Failing in an attempt to board an eastbound mixed freight and passenger train here Monday night, Nicholas Hoffman, 64, of Lyle, was instantly killed when the wheels of several cars passed over his body. He was found a few minutes later on the tracks, 100 feet from the railway station. Services were to have been held yesterday (Thursday) at Lyle under the direction of Swank's Funeral Home. A nephew of the dead man Matthew Simon of Grass Valley, Oregon, made the arrangements Wednesday. Though evidently short of ready money, Mr. Hoffman was a property owner in Lyle. Saturday and Sunday nights he slept in the Camas fire station and told attendants that he was a native of Germany, taking out his citizenship papers in 1886. Although first reported to have lived at Wishram, because of papers on his person, Station Agent J.E. Scobba in checking by telegraph discovered that he had been living at Lyle for some time. Little is known of his relatives. He is believed to have had a sister somewhere in the east. The accident occurred at 7:35. The train, S.P&S. Number 8, passed over his body unknown to the crew. Mr. Scobba said that at least three or four cars ran over the body -- perhaps more.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., March 18, 1932, page 2

NICK HOFFMAN BURIED AT LYLE

Nick Hoffman, 72, pioneer fruit rancher, was buried in Lyle March 10th. He was killed by a railroad train at Camas. Father Edwards of Goldendale officiated at the funeral services. He is survived by two sisters and three brothers, all living outside this state.