Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-10-10
(From the Boston TraveerJ
The Recent Collision on the Vermont Gem
Il


To The Editors Of the Iidreiier :-Obserying
in your paper of yesterday stringent comments
in relation to the late unfortunate collision,
which took place at West liar ford. VT. de-
sire to state the fac 50 far us have as vet
been able to obtain them.
The freight train from White River junction
for Norhtield was, for various causes, some
hours behind its time. Between Woodstock
and West Hartford stations as am informed
by the conductor, the train separated. After
the train had again been connected, the con-
ductor asked Mills the cngneman, il he could
reach the West Hartford station in time to pass
the down passenger train. Mills look ID at his
watch and said he had fourteen minutes, and
could do so. The morning passenger train
down was on its time, and when passing
curve, short distance below West Hartford
station, at full speed, came in collision with
the freight engine and a train of tory-turee
long cars most of them being fully loaded.
The freight engine was broken, but not badly.
and believe only one car was damage and
no merchandise. The passenger engine was
badly broken, and the baggage car and one
passenger car neither of them new were DIES
troyed the other car was not much damaged
The whole damage, as estimated by Mr. Camp
bell and myself, cannot exceed six thousand
dollars
A section man, Mr.. Morse, was fatally in
jurcd, and died IN ten hours after the acc ident.
Another man, Mr.. Plat, in the employment OF
the company, had his legs and arm broken, but
Yesterday was dong well. Mr.. Kmblll, the
conductor, and Mr. Palmer, the baggage master,
were not much injured, and are now about
well. OF the passengers injured, all have re-
turned to their homes, as | understand. and
have nearly recovered and most of the II have
been fully satisfied at a small expense to the
company.
1t is said Mills drank. had no knowledge
that he did have often been on an engine
with him, and saw him daily, but never knew 1t.
That he was grooSly to blame, there Is no
doubt, as he was oil his time, and gave no no.
tee to the other train. | have directed that APP
plcation he made to the States Attorney for
tine county OF Windsor, for his arrest AMI trial
under the law of the State, which provides Sc
we're penalties for cases otcrlulnal negligence.
A rule of the company makes habltual drink
inc an offence, requiring dismissed and this
rule has been and will be lniorced IN every case
/ Of known violation
| | am not aware that any remonstrancc was
or ought to have been made to Mllls's leaving
! White River Junction. He certainly arrived
| at Woodstock station in ample time, and pro
badly would have had time to reach Vest Hart
ford, if the train had not separated.
The managers of the road desire a full in
vcsugatIon into this unfortunate occurrence
and to this end have requested the intervention
of the civil authority, confident that it will b'
found due to a violation otthc rules otthc road
and not to the want of any regulation require,
for the protection of life and property.
c. PAINE, President.
; Jcrmom Central Railroad office,
, Boston, oct. =, 1851.