H.L Laughter, Retired N & W Engineer, Dies

Henry Lon Laughter of 2021 Virginia Avenue, Bluefield, Va. a former resident of Welch, died Tuesday morning in Bluefield Sanitarium following a sudden heart attack suffered at his home about an hour previously. He was 83.

Mr. Laughter was a retired Norfolk & Western locomotive engineer and was well known in this area. For a number of years he was engineer on the old Gary Hollow passenger train and was serving in that capacity when the train made its last run about eight years ago.

The Laughter family left Welch a short time later in 1951. While here they resided in Southwood in the house presently occupied by the J.D. Rau family.

A native of Henry [s/b Henderson] County, N. C., Mr. Laughter was born January 2, 1876. An employee of N and W for 58 years, he was promoted to engineer in July, 1900. He was a member of the Virginia Avenue Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va., and was a member of the First Methodist Church while residing in Welch.

Mr. Laughter was also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Kiwanis Club and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Jennie Hambrock [s/b Hambrick] Laughter; a son, Elmer L. Laughter of Bluefield, Va. and four grandchildren.

While in Welch, Elmer L. Laughter was employed for a time in the county clerk's office.

The body will remain at Dudley Memorial Mortuary where friends may call.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Virginia Avenue Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Monte Vista Park Cemetery.

The body will be removed from the funeral home to the church one hour prior to the service.

The Brotherhood of [Locomotive] Engineers will have charge of graveside rites.