St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-12-20
AppdtiiNg CdIamitv.
CAR WITH 80 MEN PEECIPITATED


Vt. Central reached US We printed it,
hoping that further information would
relieve it of some of lis horrors. We re-
oret to say that the worst is more than
corroboratcd. 1t was the most fearful
and fatal accident that ever occurred in
our state. and one of the worst that New
England ever suffered We collect be-
low detailed account of this horrid
butchery, taken from the Burlington
Times and other papers, and given main
ly by eyewitness:
The disaster occurred at the Harlow
Bridge" so-called, which is on the line
of the Vermont Central railroad, about a
mile and half south of Mortified. 1t
SPAWNED a chaSm through which Doc
River runs, some 800 feet in width. and
its abutments were about GO feet in
heiehth, the middle pier being about -
feet. This bridge was burned on Sun
day morning last, and since that time a
heavy force OF mechanics and laborers
have been employed Ill erecting a trestie
work for temporary Use durln@ the re-
building OF the bridge. About one hun
drcd of these men dncd at the North.
field House at 1880 p. III. Wednesday.
and Immediately after proceeded by Il
train consisting of an engine and one pas
senger car to the bridge, Il mile and 4
half distant, up heavy grade, the car
behind moving backward.
by some Uncomfortable iorgeltulneSs or
unaccountable hallucinatiou the en.i-
neer, Frank Abbott, proceeded at an I'M
usual rate of speed. lie was reminded
of his strange mistake by his fireman, but
not until too late to avert the terrible
consequences. for the car with lis freight
of some ninety men was prcclpltated
from the abrtment of the bridge into the
ravine below, a distance OF sixty feet.
The tender broke from the engine and
instantly followed. The scene after the
disaster can be better imagined tlian de
>cribed. Fifteen dead men, with more
than rs many others suffering from
wounds more or less severe. lay IN one
heap, seven OF whom were under the ter
der, and OF those who escaped some were
saved by lcaping from the ear windows
after they had perceived their danger.
The number of casualties l., appalling
and embraces fifteen killed and twenty
five injured, three OF whom have since
died. The casualties consist OF broken
arms, Ices. and hands, di>locations. cuts.
burn. and bruises.
One chroniclcr says that is the centre
OF the car struck the bank of the prcci-
pice. it broke INTO three pieces, thr root
sliding ahead the forward half q; the
bottom fell seventy !tet in;o the river bed.
About % men wrrt spilled out in L pile
on 4 shelving rock twcntylivs feet heow
the track. The rear halt Of the car tell
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