Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-07-13

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE RAILRoAD.-An ell
Derby widow, named Catherine Ferries, while
walking upon the track of the Boston and Wor.
cesaer Railroad, nearly opposite the brick build
ing on the BloOmingdale road. on Saturday
morning last, at about quarter before nine
O'Clock, was knocked down by the cars Of the first
morning train from Boston. This is the place
where the cars separate, part of them proceed.
ing on the other track to the Western depot,
and the engine and the remainder of the cars
keeping on to the Boston and Worcester depot.
One of the brakemen, seeing woman upon the
track, shouted to the top Of his voice, but was un
able to make her hear The brakes were imme-
diately applied but it was impossible to stop the
train, the guard on the end Of the forward car of
which struck Mrs. Ferries upon the head, break
ing in her skull, and throwing her distance of
twenty feet, of course killing her instantly. 1t
is supposed she was watching the train upon the
other track, not thinking that portion of the
train, which separated at point just beyond was
coming upon the track on which she was walking.
Mrs Ferries was about seventy years of age,
and resided with her daughter, Mrs. Brown, at
No. II Plymouth street, whose husband was kill
ed upon the Western Railroad about three years
ago. They formerly resided in Springfield, but
had lived in this city since November last
Mrs Ferries set out that morning to walk to
Shrewsbury, and had got as far as the locality de-
scribed above, when she was overtaken by that
melancholy casualty.
The excellent and gentlemanly conductor of
the train, Mr.. Foster, and the other other off.
cials on the train, did everything in their power
to have the accident avoided and, as will be seen
by the verdict of the coroners jury, no blame can
be attached to any officers Of the road for this
melancholy result.
We cannot avoid saying word in commenda-
ticn of the humane and gentlemanly conduct of
the new agent of the road, at this place, Abram
Firth, Esq. who was on the ground in few mo-
ments after the accident, and ordered everything
to be done which coincidence and sympathy with
the daughter Of the deceased, who was in poor and
destitute circumstances, could suggest for the
disposition Of the remains, and their proper at
tirement for the grave, and having them decently
inferred at Springfield, her former residence,
where her daughter will proceed with them, to.
day, by the especial arrangement and provision Of
00Ar Ath3 anu III oSSOAAoASc WIN ASOliuk anu
wish of the bereaved daughter.
Mr.. Firth entered upon his new position al
agent of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, OF
July LIST, and the manner in which he has dis
charged his duties has added to his previous rep
utation for energy, zeal, and fidelity to his obi
cations, always doing more, rather than falling
short Of his duties, when opportunity is afforded
for the performance Of humane or charitabl,
act, in connection with his official responsible
ties.
An inquest was held over the remains of the
deceased, on Saturday, by Jonathan Day, coro.
ner, with the following jury ~. B. Dexter, Jr,
foreman E. Leonard Brigham, A. W. Wright
Ahaz Bassett, Calvin W. Angler, s. D. Cook
The result of the inquest was in accordance with
the above facts, as follows -
"That the said Catherine Ferries came to he,
death at forty-two minutes past eight o'clock, A.
| M. July lltb, 1857, while standing upon the
track of the Boston and Worcester Railroad
about one half mile distant from the depot in
this city by being struck the head by the guard
| Of the forward passenger train after it was de-
tached from the Albany accommodation train.
| which left Boston at 645 A. NJ, and is due at
Worcester at 6.45 A. M. And the jurors afore.
said, upon their oaths aforesaid, do say that no
blame can be attached to the Worcester Railroad
corporation, Or their employees"