Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-08-26
UNHAPPY ACCIDENT

AS the stage from Nashua to Peterbo.
rough was passing through Temple, near
the farmhouse of General Miller, on Sat
urday last, with two men on the drivers
box, the fastening which attaches the seat
to the front of the stage, suddenly gave
way, and preclpltated the two men and
driver down between the horses and the
wheels. The men on the right and left
OF the driver, it is supposed, fell immedi-
ately under the wheels, which passed over
them. They were badly injured while
the driver, sitting in the middle, fell more
under the body Of the carriage, and was
less, but considerably bruised. One of
the men, MIR: Obadiah Perry, of Temple,
who had Just stepped upon the box to ride
very short distance, had his hip and ribs
badly broken, and was otherwise severely
injured. He fingered until Monday
morning in great distress, when he died
IN much agony. The other man, Mr..
Rodney Arbuckle, of Merrimack, had his
laW-bone broke, his head and face much
by both wheels-but he has been able to
return to his home this week, and we
learn is likely to recover. The driver,
Mr.. Holt, was considerably wounded in
the head and arm; but not disenabIed
from continuing to drive through his route.
The horses, of course, started and plung-
ed, and probably contributed to the bruis-
es OF the unfortunate men, who were thus
Suddenly brought in contact with their
heels. And here circumstance occurr-
ed, which, though it may swell out this
account to greater length than the event
may seem to require, is of nature to ex-
cite the admiration of all and exhibits a
degree of presence of mind in female,
and fortitude and magnanimity, rarely
equalled by any of the male sex, under
similar circumstances. We should be
wanting in duty, gratitude, and gallantry,
not to record it. There was but one pas
senger inside the stage, Miss Abigail R.
Brown, of Peterborough, who was reading
at the time of the fall of the seat, and did
not perceive the accident, till the stage,
coming in contact with the branches OF
the trees, aroused her attention, when she
discovered her danger, the horses being
in full speed. Although alarmed, she did
not scream, nor attempt to jump out with
out consideration. Feeling deeply her
perilous situation, she considered the best
method for her rescue, or preparation tor
the probable event. She began with
speaking gently and soothingly to the
horses, and felt encouraged by its appa.
rent effect in checking their speed. She
opened the door of the stage, let down the
steps, adjusted her clothes to prevent theil
being entangled, and stood on the step:
while the horses ran the distance Of neal
mile, over several hills and by several
houses. In the course of the race she
discovered ahead load of hay in the road
and reckoning to the driver with hel
hand to turn out, he was enabled to do so
in season not to come in contact with the
stage; and he used his exertions to STOP
the horses in vain, as did others who were
met. She continued on the steps, of the
carriage until nearing hill Of some extent
when she increased her endeayours to
check the horses by her voice, hoping
thereby, with the natural effect of ris.
ing the eminence, so far to lessen their
velocity as to be able to jump off with
safety, which she happily effected. On
alighting to the ground, she started for.
ward, at the risk of her life, still speak.
ing soothingly to the horses, till she was
enabled to seize some part Of the harness
turn the horses, stop them, and hold then
in suspension till assistance came up tt
relieve her from her anxious and perilou'
situation--exhibiling a fortitude and pres