Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-30

VI AOSoAon3 WASAS sAO OAtICAC 0CRtA
of filing is 10 feet, under the embank-
ment at this point there is box culvert
three feet square, that now remains I'M
changed, and as perfect as it was the day
it was built, twenty years ago.
The area of surface drained by this
culvert is about half mile in length,
with an average width Of about one fourth
of mile, the side hill from which the
water drains has very moderate declivi-
ty, the usual flow of water will pass
through six inch pipe, while the capa-
city of the culvert is at least thirty six
times as large.
The most critical examination was
given to this locality on section 2, the
culvert examined and found unimpared
and perfect. On the upper side of the
embankment, the collection of foodwood
brush, and rubbish, would clearly indi-
cate that the mouth of the culvert had
been INSTRUCTED, stopping the flow of
water, and raising the water above the top
of the culvert then making a sudden
break through the embankment of earth
and timber work that had taken the
place of the original embankment, since
the October freshet.
We find that every possible precaution
had been taken by section men upon the
road during the interval of the passage of
the freight train at this point about mid
night and the time of the disaster half past
five a. M, and that men had twice passed
this point. We fined that the temporary
struc tures used on the Rutland road in
making such repairs as are common on all
railroads were strong and secure, over
which trains may pass with safety at the
rate of 30 to 40 miles an hour, as we have
seen them subjected to such test.
From the most careful examination and
investigation that we have been able to
give this matter, we must come to the
condition previous to the storm, and tina.
during the storm, which was one of
great severity, all the caution had been
exercised that human forecast could de-
mand.
We believe that the accumulation of
water was held back at some point above
the culvert in section 9, and that when
breaking away, carried with it large
amount of rubbish. Completely obstruct-
ing the opening of the culvert, till the
water was raised several feet above the
top of the culvert, as the evidence still
exists of such extreme height of water.
1t is due to you Mr.. President, and it
is also due to the business public who
have occasion to use the line of the Rut-
land road, to state the fact that the road
has been in operation for a period of over
twenty years, without break or injury at
the points of the late disaster, or upon
other parts of the road, you had every
reason to look with confidence to the sta
bllity and safety of the road at the points
in question.
The undersigned have made careful
examination of the condition of the road
bed, and track throughout its entire
length, are warranted in saying that we
find them in all respects, first class
road, and the civil engineer signing this
article, takes pleasure in saying that he
finds the condition of the road bed and
track, from Burlington to Rutland dis
lance of CT miles, in every respect equal
to, and in as good and perfect condition,
as are the Hudson River and New York
Central roads, roads that are known and
regarded as model roads in our country.
We also find that the road from Rut-
land to Bellows Falls distance of 50
miles in safe and good condition. The
company are now replacing some of the
iron rails, and will soon place this part
of the road in the same perfect condition
as that part of the road from Rutland to
Burlington.
1t is evident that the condition of
your entire road, previous to the October
freshet, would compare favourably with
any Of the first class roads ia the country,
the points where the road received injury
are now being repaired and placed in a
permanent condition.
r. f. PARKER,
Railroad Commissioner of Vermont,
w B. GILBERT,
Civil Engineer.
STATEMENT OF MIDDLETON GOLD
SMITH, NJ. d.
On Thursday last the Springfield,
Mass, Republican contained the following
statement which was greatly erroneous,
with the exception of that part in refer
ence to Mr.. Fields legs projecting over
the end of the mattress, but which is
fully explained in Dr. Goldsmith's state
ment and also the erroneous statement
in other particulars is fully answered:
An account of the Rutland railroad ac-
cident says:
"When Mr.. A. r. Fields friends
reached him eighteen hours after the &C.
cident, he had had no nourishment but
cold water, and when some beef was
asked for that beef tea might be made for
him, his friends were told that there was
not a pound OF fresh beet on the noun
tain. He lay reclining upon a mattress
too short for him, with his legs projecting
over the end and resting upon the floor.
one of his legs being terribly bruised and
uncovered. His was but a sample of the
condition of the others. Necessaries
might have been procured from Ludlow
and other points, but although there ap-
peared to be desire on the part of Off
cials and their medical man to make the
sufferers comfortable, yet there was man
ifestly great lack of knowledge of what
was wanting and how to do it."
STATEMENT.
/ was present at the Summit Station
during the day of the accident, and al
though not in charge of the wounded, I
saw them all and examined several of
them. Your information that the wound
ed had no proper food is incorrect. They
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