Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-05-31
Local News
GUILDHALL.


An accident, resulting in the death
of Joseph Chase, of the firm of Rob-
ert Chase & Co., and Benz. F. Poole,
son of Jonathan Poole, jr., occurred
here at about six o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon. Mr.. Chase, for the pur-
pose of moving his barge above the
dam, had erected a capstan on the
New Hampshire side of the Connect
icut river, near the end of the toll
bridge, and attached the barge to i
by line. The barge is some THU ty
feet long and twelve feet wide, and
was designed for freighting straw and
potatoes to the mills at this place.
The current of the river is very rapid
at this place, the water being suffi-
GENTLY high to cover the dam, making
no break where il flows over. Upon
this barge were Mr.. Chase, Mr..
Poole +. II. Stuart, Rollin Brown and
Willie Poole, land fastened to the barge
by short line was small s&ift. AS
the barge was cast off from the shore,
it was quickly carried to the middle
of the river by the force of the cur
rent and was slowly drawn up the
stream by winding up the rope around
the capstan. AS the toward end
reached the dam the water broke over
it, the men at the time being on the
rear end. The force of the current
Immediately carried it under, but not
until Chase, foreseeing the accident,
had time to cut the skiff loose.
When TIE barge went down the &C.
cupants were at once swept out, and
all were struggling in the rapids. Mr..
Chase unfortunately became entangled
in q piece of line which was attached
to the barge. The men in charge of
the capstan seeing the accident let 60
the line which held the barge, and al
lowed it to float down the stream.
AS soon as the strain Of the line on
the capstan was loosened the barge
floated, but it was filled with water.
Mr.. Chase was then seen for the last
time struggling in the water below
the barge, and rs it foated down
stlelm it went over him, and held by
the line in which he was thus entan-
led he met his death. In the mean
time the others had made for the skiff
which in some way was caps;zed and
filled with water. All succeeded in
reaching it with the exception of Rol-
In Brown, he finding himself sinking
threw up his arms. Stuart seeing his
sign of distress, left the skiff to which
he was clinging, and went to his as
sistance; both went under once, but
rose again to the surface, when by
great effort they reached the boat, to
which they chung rs it foated down
stream. Franklin Poole at the first
sinking OF the barge went down, but
coming up, succeeded in reaching the
boat, but being seized with a fit of
coughing, and doubtless strangled by
The water, he fell from the boat and
sank to rise no more. His body up to
Friday morning had not been rccov-
cred, though diligent search has been
made for it. Chase was found under
the barge with the line wound around
one leg below the knee, which had
been drawn so tight as to plainly
mark his leg through his clothing.
Every effort was made to resuscitate
him but in vain life was extinct when
he was taken from the water. He
WAS under water some 10 to Is minu-
ties, and had in some manner received
a bruise, the marks of which were
plainly visible on his forehead. Those
who sought safety on the skiff, with
the exception Of Poole, were rescued
after having drifted about 80 or 40
rods down the stream in the current.
That any were saved from the perilous
position is the chief cause of wonder.
1t is generally believed by those who
witnessed the scene, that but for the
presence of mind and manly efforts of
+. Il. Stuart, Rollin Brown must
also have been drowned. Much credit
is due him for his noble conduct, and
the consciousness of having saved
the life of fellow mortal, is doubt
less sweet reward. This sad event
has cast gloom over this community
and the distressed friends of the I'M
fortunate men, have the deepest SYM
patty of all. Mr.. Chase is to be taken
RI Hoyarb;iI Mace for b,r;ol II:n
death is a sad loss TO our little village,
and he will be sincerely mourned by
large circle of frinds AMI acquintances.
Mr.. Poole, though not so generally
known, nor so prominently connected
with the business interests of the place,
will be equally mourned by the circle
Of his acquaintance, as he was of
kind and obliging disposition, and
had many warm friends. Mr.. Poole
was in the 9th year of his age, and
Mr.. Chase in his 41st year. Both
were unmarried.
The Teachers Institute for Essex
County will be held here Monday, June
9Th. For particulars see the announce
ment by the Secretary ofbe Board of
Education in our advertising columns.
A refreshing rain on Thursday night
with cooler air on Friday morning.
Spring work mostly done.
The trees have put forth their
leaves remarkably fast for the past
week. The forests are now nearly as
green as they ever are. The fruit
trees in this vieinity are now in bloom.