St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-06-07
EdlCin p. Fisher.

Fell at his post, Thursday, March I
1867, while faithfully dischargiug hi
duty, Mr.. Edwin P. Fisher, of Boston
aged 20.
The mail train down, upon the da,
above mentioned, was approaching Man
chester, when a broken rail threw tn,
forward cars from the track As the dan
ger whistle sounded, Mr.. Fisher, wht
was brakeman and conductor of tn,
Boston, Concord & Montreal X. r. Co.
sprung to the brake of the car He sue
ceeded in checking the momentum, ant
was IN the act Of passing to the next cal
forward when the coupling broke, and
he was thrown upon the track under thc
wheels of the car. When found he wa:
confined by the wheel of the car which
rested upon his thigh, crushing it to g
pulp. Half an hour elapsed before the
car could be raised and Mr. Fisher re.
leased from his terrible position. lie
had received other injuries which he be.
lieved were fatal, and insisted upon being
carried at once to Boston, in the expect
alton that he might once more see be-
loved wife and child. Alas, the hope
was vain, for Notwithstanding the unre-
mittlng efforts of his comrades and the
physicians in attendance, he sunk rapid
ly, and expired shortly after reaching
Boston, and before his broken-hearte,I
wife could be assured that he was aware
Of her presence His remains were car
lied to Wells River, Vt, where they
were inferred with masonic ceremonies.
the following Sunday, in presence of an
immense concourSe of sympathlzins
friends.
1t is always sad to chronicle the death
of any young man, but there is much to
render this loss especially touching and
mournful. Left an orphan at an early
age, his life was one prolonged struggle
for improvement, both socially and in
tellectually. lie first entered the printing
office of the New Hampshire Statesman,
but left, after brief period, to commence
the career of newsboy upon the Boston,
Concord X Montreal railroad He con-
tlnued in this employment for some ears
and when old enough was appointed
brakeman and baggage master, with the
prospect of promotion when vacancy
should occur. After Il long and faithful
service he was about to receive the re-
ward of his long labors, when death in
tervened and buried him with his hopes
in the cold earth. Terrible as was the
manner of his death, his memory will
long live as one who sacrificed his OWL
lie TO save those of the passengers com
United TO his charge, for had he not dis
played 50 much promptneSs and energy,
1t is more than probable that at least one
Of the cars would have been thrown int
the river. During his long term OF ser.
vice lie endeared himself no less to In.
comrades upon the road than to the
many along his route who were daily ill.,
debted to him Tor gratuitous favors, al
ways cheerfulIy rendered. His kindness
OF heart was SO proverbial that it was
well remarked by one who knew hin
well, and travelled with him often, that
"Flsher never cOuid have an enemy in
the world, as he couldn't find fault, nc
matter how great the provocation." MOI
was this all, for the superintendent OF the
road has stated publicly and often thai
he was one of the best men upon the
road, thoroughly reliable and homes, il
all places.
1t is unnecessary to recapitulate his
many good qualities, for most of thost
who read this knew him as a good man
is known: as an atfectionate and indul.
gent husband and father as an active
industrious and honest man, and as the
truest of friends.
A story is told of soldier in a French
regiment who fell in battle about sixt,
years ago, leaving behind him the repu
tatlon of brave and good man. Tc
this day, when the roll OF the regiment i:
called, his name is the first upon the list
when the oldest sergeant in the corps an
swers, "died on the field of honor. -
What greater tribute can be paid to the
memory of our departed friend, when hi:
brother railroad employees are recalling
the "reminiscences of the past, than t.
have it said of him, "IIe fell at his post. "
May he rest in peace, while bis self-sac-
rificing heroism shall be an everything
burning example to us all.-New Hamp.
Shire Statesman