Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-04-05
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
From The Vermont Phoenix.
THF LATE STAGE ACCIDENT.

THF LATE STAGE ACCIDENT.
Mr.. EDITORIALS there are various
stories afoat in regard Ia the distressing
stage accident which happened on the
morning Of the 18th inst while crossing
Gold River" and many ofthem are verv
wide from the truth, l take the liberty TO
give below simple statement of facts,
WHICH you are at liberty to publish if you
deem proper
left WaIpole, n H. on the morning
aforesaid 10 company with four passengers,
three ladies and one gentleman. The la
dies, with myself, were seated in the in
side Of the stage; the gentleman took his
seat on the outside with the driver. The
names Of the ladies were, Mrs. Dunbar.
Mrs. Chesley and Miss Tasket. The
Rutland Stage aud an extra followed in
our rear. When VT came 10 Cod River,
the driver drew up, and proceeded on to
the bridge at slow walk At this time
the ice on Cold River appeared broken,
and was moving down stream very gently,
or without any apparent connection
The stream however, appea red much swoI-
len. When we were part of the way
across the bridge, ii fell about ten feet, and
so nearly all together that the stage kept
It's erect posi- ion until we began TO move
downward but Immediately the stage
rolled upstream upon its side AS the
stage rolled. Mrs. ChesIev and Mss Tas-
ken fell partly through the lower side,
and were nearly under water With
great exertions drew them up, and all
of US stood with our heads out of the upper
side Of the stage, In this situation we
T were borne rapidly down the stream.
saw the driver and the outside passenger
on the opposite shore, having escaped by
way ofthe horses and The floating bridge
The water in the Connecticut had not
risen in consequence of which the accu.
muIated water in Cold River caused quite
a fall, as it entered the Connecticut
When we arrived at this fall, the sta ee
rolled, and it was with great exer.ions
that we could keep above the water and
Ice. succeeded in getting on the top Of
, stage, and caught hold of Mrs. Durham
she being nearest to me. Al this instant
the stage, being driven with tremendous
: force, struck the ice in the Connecticut, al
the same time the ice from Cold River
) stove to atoms. Mrs. D. and mysel
were thrown upon the loose ice, she be.
ing enc loSed ID her middle, and also one
OF nv feet was fast in the ice. The other
; ladies' had disappeared, and | never ss "
them more The on V words spoken by
} Mrs. u. were" DO pull me out r' With
an earnestuess and manner never shal
; forget. | made many attempts to extri
cate her from her horrible situation. BIN
= all 10 Vain. At every movement of tht
ice she was drawn still lower down, ill
, nothing remained above but her head anc
one arm. | think she mus, have been
crushed instantly by the ice, as she dice
! apparently without struggle. remain
ed by her Till lie had become extinct 49,
We were at this time about threc-fourth.
OF the way across Connecticut River
Knowing could render her no furtbel
e. assistance | then sought my own safety
0 oy making my way, as best | could, tc
= the Vermont shore, which was accom-
: pIished with no small difficulty. as thu
broken ice tumbled and rolled, while the
water surged most fearfuIIy.
""N'u LSIc remark mat report SAYS
: Kept my trunk under my arm during
he whole ofthis fearful scene;;' and tha
Y had thrown away my trunk, [ nigh
!, have sa-ed some of the lives Of my untor
D tunate companions = This report is un.
+ generous as il is false did not have my
4 trunk. neither Gid think Of l., till after
Iett Mrs. ID. / however found it on my
way to the Vermont shore. l walked tc
Bellows Falls in a very exhausted state
where received from, Mr.. Hall thai
kindness and attention which will ever b.
I, remembered with gratitude. C. SWAIN.
Putney, March 81, 1887.
Report says that just before we CAM
upon the bridge, the driver was warned Il
N stop; and that be did stop his team abou
one minute.' This is not true as to nj
e stopping, -ihs stage most assuredlY did no
4 stop. Whether the driver was warned o
not, y beyond- my kaowledge. ceriainl!
hssrd no one call think there can BE- n
+ blame sftsehed TO tks driver whatever.