Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-07-27
Shocking Railroad Accident.

On Thursday evening Of last week intel
licence was received by telegraph ola shocks
iry accident on the Vermont and Canada
Railroad. in the explosion of the locomotive
a John Smith" the instant death oi two per-
sons. and fatal injury to the third. The
even, occurred near Colchester, when the .
train was running at full speed, on part Of
the line warranting this rate Of running. An
explosion was heard, sounding like the dis /
charge of cannon in near proximity, and
instantly the engine and tender were thrown
great distance forward, at an angle from
the track, landing thirty feet from it. The
engineer, FRrNcH, of Mortified, formerly
Of ~ H., was not TO be found until the next
day, when he was discovered crushed under
the tender N about two feet of water His
death undoubtedly was instantaneous. The
fireman, SHAW, son of Thomas Shaw of
Mortified, and grand son Of Isaiah Shaw of
Roxbury, had several of his limbs broken,
and was badly bruised otherwise, OCCASION
ing his death OH Friday. In the baggage
car there were four persons, none of whom
were injured by the explosion; but on pass
! ing over the wreck of the track made by the
engine, the car was thrown upon its side
and dragged some distance. Conductor
RIcuARp &. BRusH Of Burlington was
thrown out of one of the doors, caught under
the car, and shockingly mangled by being
dragged between the car and the ties. His
body was fou nd IN the forward truck of tho
first passenger car, and SO completely dis.
figured as to be recognized only by paris 81
the remaining clothing attached. OF the
three other persons in the baggage car, two
! only were injured slightly Baggage-mastei
e True, and the peddler-boy Saunders, both Of
I. this village. The passengers all ESCAPED
unhurt. As vet we believe no Certain
cause Of the explosion is known. Mr.. Frencl
n was an able engineer, and calm and care
l. lul man. lie was running this engine, how
ever for the first time, and it is barely pos
e sihle that there was some peculiarly abou
> 1t which he did not understand. The en-
&c CINE has always ranked among the best OF
the line, and we learn that the wreck in
Z dicates nothing to explain the ocour-
- renee The boiler is still sound, except a
- the frc-box, through the bottom Of which
J. the explosion passed 10 the oarth--conse
quenty none were injured by the stenm.-
a. A thunder storm was passing at the time
IF and the suggestion has been mqde that III,
re explosion was due to the lightning, although
= it was remarked at Milton station, shor
:, time before the explosion, that the steam
- was high Mr. Bush has long been connec.
e ted wnh the road as a Conductor, and many
L Of our readers will remember hun as port
\, ~, fine looking young man-lrank, alllble
1t ever radiant with a smile, aud commanding
ID the confidence of everybody at ;he frs
8, glance. lie was much beloved by all hi
/, associates on the road, aud highly esieemc,
= wherever he was known. The funeral o
t young Shaw was attended at Mortified OF
q Sabbath morning, and of Mr.. Bush at Bur
- lngton on Sabbath afternoon, by a larg,
G number Of the officers and employees Of the
e. Central and Canada roads, and great con.
courses Of people. The remains of Mr.
, French were conveyed to New Hampshire
r attended also by several of his late associ-
2 atcs; aud we observe that This mournlul
occurrence has been further appropriately
marked 10y draping the engines in mourning.
Truly, as correspondent of the Boston At
las remarks, though it be said thai "corpor-
auOns nave no suuIs, ms occasion mas
/ proved that the hearts of railroad mon throb