St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-08-22
The Stage Accident, and other Things.

Mr.. CdledOnjdR There are So many
reports of the cause of the late stage
accident. and having been here most
of the time since il happened. and seen
most of the passengers. and the place
where it occurred. | am satisfied that
nothing more or less than an orerlodd
was the cause. Think of eighteen pco-
pie. and perhaps a ton, or Il ton and a
half of baggage. on one of those enor
nous old fashioned coaches. drawn by
six horses. and to be held back. down
such Il hill 10y two. The road is a little
descending for some distance before
reaching the hill proper, down which
making the pitch over the brow, in
stead of Stacking up to a walk, the load
crow ded on to the two wheel horses.
and although the driver did all in the
power of man to do. the speed could
not lie slackened, and down the hill
they went till on turning the corner.
the coach was upset with the sad effect
already reported.
Some movement is being made to
saddle the blame and damages upon
the town, but think it will be an up
instead of a dorm hill job to do it. |
have known the road since it was built.
perhaps thirty or more years ago, and
| never saw It so smooth and good in
every respect as it is now, entirely
tree from water bars" OF stone, and
very smooth and hard. All the claim |
have heard is, that it is too narrow, and
too short turn. They say the road
for fifty rods is only nine feet wide.
The road is laid out the usual width.
and rounded up in the middle with wa
ter course each side and perhaps the
wheel tracks are only nine feet wide
The tuIn is short, but is as it was laid
out, and has been travelled for years.
a few years since, as three young
ladies We're descending this same hill,
10y the breaking of Il hold-back the
horse was frightened and run, and at
the same turn threw them all out.
breaking the arm of one, a hole in the
skull of another, and the other was ta-
ken up scnscless. All however. recov-
elcd. Accidents will happen, some
times through carelessness, and some
times otherwise. Some say the pole
strap broke, in this case, but from what
they all say nothing gave way, and this
strap was broken when the coach cap
sized.
Some lawmakers near by saw the
team coming down the hill, and knew
the holses were beyond the control of
the driver and hastencd to the tated
spot, but did not reach it till all was
over. They told me that when they
got there the nine outside riders were
lying face down among the stones.
nearly coy cred with trunks, seats, Sc,
which followed them from the top.
Every thing was still as DEATH: not ii
scream. not a cry, nor sound from any
one. With assistance, which soon ar
rived. the wounded were removed.
The ghastly sight of young Keerl. whose
head was literally smashed between
stone and trunk, and bis brains scat
tered about, first met their view. Then
Mr.. Butler was got out. supposed to be
dead. but revived somewhat, but died
before being removed from the convey
ance. while in the act of kissing the
pictures of his two little sons. The
rest were conveyed to different places.
on beds, ladders, doors. SC, and every
thing done for them that could be done.
Miss Reeves died the next morning.