Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-10
Railroad Accidents.

On Saturday last the Express and Baggage
Car Of the mail train bound to Boston, was
thrown from the track in Canaan, N. H., and
wcare sorry to learn that b. r. Cheney ESQ,
of Cheney g. Co.'S Express, was so badly in
iured that It was necessary to amputate his
right arm, and the baggage master Of the
Psssumpsc road had leg broken. The fol-
lowing are the particulars;
The .7ccideni 10 M Cheuey.--ln an extra
from the Office of the Manchester Mirror, we
find the following particulars respecting the
accident winch occurred upon the Northern
railroad in Clnnan, n. H., on Saturday
afternoon;
AT the time Of the accident he sat near
the western door of the express car, talking
with his messenger, George flerfck, and
! Reuben futile Of Boston. Mr.. Rollins,
brakeman on the Passumpsc road, was in
the baggage part. The breaking of the axle
threw the baggage car off into the bank at
the side and tipped it over, and the next car
plunged into it aud was also thrown over and
round partly across the track, badly broken,
and another partly mounted over that, max
ing wreck Of iron and wood in narrow
cot, so that II now,seems a miracle how the
four men 10 the forward car escaped alive.
Cheney went out the side that the car tipped
upon, and was found among the ruins, mju-
red as before stated--how he got there,
whether he jumped or was thrown out, he
cannot say probably was thrown out. The
coupling between the tender and baggage
car gave way, when the wheels got loose
from the tender, and the engine went on I'M
damaged. Rollins was found inside of the
car with his leg broken; Sir. futile jumped
of and sprained his ANGLE, and, what is very
remarkable, Herrick kept in the car and was
thrown about, and climbed ont upon one side
of the car, after the accident. uninlnred
Mr.. Rollins belongs at st. Johnsbury his
leg has been set, and he IS doing well.
Fortunately, the Superintendent of the
road, Mr.. Slcarns, was present. lie sent
dispatch forthwith for Drs. Dixie Crosby and
+. K. Peaslee, of Hanover. They were mol
at home. but Crosby was found at West
Lebanon and taken along in an extra train
and arrived at Canaan about -four o'clock.
Beng found away from home and not hav-
ing learned the nature Of the injuries, he did
not bring his surgical instruments with him
and another dispatch was sent, aud in about
an hour aud half an engine came bringing
them. However, when he first arrived, Mr.
Cheney was too week Tor amputation. When
first told the extent of his injury, that has
arm must be taken of, and that it was doubt
ful whether he would survive the operation
he seemed greatly surprised, evidently hav-
ing thought that hs arm could be saved, bat
quickly replied with the utmost composure
save my arm it you can, bu. if not, save
my LIFE at the Same time expressing a wish
that the operation should be deferred TIL his
brothers, sisters aud friends could be sent
for. When informed that delay would be
dangerous, he instantly gave his assent, and
the arm was ampuiated. Just below the should
err Joint, at SIX o'clock, by Dr. Crosby, assist.
ed by DR.. Morgan of Canaan.
He was under the influence Of chloroform
and came ont of the operation better than
expected. Tho chloroiorHi made HIM sick
by spells all night, and he yomited much,
and was m great PAIN, particularly IN the arm
that was taken of, feeling as If 1t was still on
Drs Crosby and Buck, after he arrived
stayed with him sll night, ill Sunday morn
ing between eight and nine o'clock, when We
started for home. lie Is at the house Of Mr.
Pillsbury, an excellent family, near where
the accident occurred.
Mr.. Stcarns OF the Northern road has
spared neither labor nor money in making
Mr. Cheney as comfortable as possible, ard
every facility has been afforded 10 relatives
and friends to visit him.
. NJ blame is attached to the railroad There
was a large flaw IN the axle-iree, close up 70
the inside Of the wheel.
Mr.. Cheney's left arm wa. badly bruised,
but not seriously, and his face was very much
dlsligured."
On Tuesday evening last the last passen-
ger car Of the accommodation train on the
Central road was thrown from the track near
w~'~'h~-y ~ tho hreaking OF n rail. The
coupling gave way and the car went down
the embankment, rolling over twice, and lodg
ing on tic fence. The car was of course
badly broken up, only one seat remaining en-.
tire ;of thirty persons IN the car, twenty were
inJured-none fatally. Mr. Field, the Con
ductor, had his collar bone broken; one lad,
was injured internally, though it is hoped moi
seriously; and one gentleman had his nose
broken. We have heard of no inlurie:
more serious. The escape from death Is re-
markablo. The injured we're Immediately
attended to as far as possible by Dr.. Thaycr
who was on the train. The persons in the
other cars escaped unniured.
We add the names Of those most injured
10 wit; Mrs iIassam of Clinton, N. Y, for
merry Of Mortified, VT, wrist broken
Col Chamberlain Of Sianstcad, nose broken
Mr.. Teuney OF Mortified, bridge-master
badly bruised Mr. Field of Mortified, con,
ducior, collar.bone broken.