Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-02-05
The Accident at Madison
(From the Madison Democrat Jan. q


One of The saddest and most dis.
tres-ing accidents We have ever been
called upon to chronicle, occurred on
University Hill last evening. The
facts as we learned them are as fol-
lows: The evening most beautiful
one, party of young people living
in the city. mostly University stu
dents, went TO the University to en-
joy an hour or two in the sport of
''ridiDg down hill" 1t is sport
that is frequently participated in by
students and others. On this occas-
ion, the party consisted of eight or
ten young people, three young ladies
and party of young gentlemen es-
corts. Hand sieds coupled together
by means of plank had been pre-
pared. With lightsome hearts The
young folks repaired TO the chosen
hill. little dreaming that one of their
party must return 8 corpse. The
sleIghs usually start near the South
Dormitory of the University, and pass
downthe side walk which leads to the
south stiles. The descent is quite
steep, and on this occasion the snow
on The walk was Deatel very com
pactly, and of course the epeed was
very great. There are trees at in
tervals along the walk which rend, r
the feat more hazardous, but, though
often frequented by sleigh;ng parties
of this kind, we have never beard of
any serious accident occurring be-
fore, About nine O'Clock last evening,
it appears, couple of sleds, tasten-
ed as we have described, was started
with the following persons on board ::
Mr.. Fred. Conover and Mr. Hobsrt
Cook occupy ing the front sled, whose
business was TO do the guiding. On
the rear sled, which Was fastened to
the other by plank six or eight
feet long. were Mr. Charles Wlikin
and Miss Minnie Phelps.
The sleighs descended at o speed
that is indescribable, until four or five
rods OF the fence, whore two or three
descending steps in the walk made it
necessary to steer quite abruptly to
the left. 1t seems that there is q
tree quite near these steps on the
left and The party turned so short
to jumping off the steps, that the two
sleds were overturned, and Mss
Phelps was struck, we think upon
the right side of the face. Her low
err jaw and cheek wore broken in
several places and her head fright
fully mangled. Mr.. Wl.kin was also
badly injured On the right side Of the
head blood bursting from his ears
and his legs were badly bruised.
Both were totally insensibie when,
they were taken up ard being car.
| rled 10 the nearest house, Mr. HoWe's
just opposite the stiles, the young Ia
dy expired in about fifteen minutes
/ Mr. Wilkin came to in about half
hour, but was very much prostrated.
| Doctors Twitcbell and Brown
were summoned at the earliest posi-.
| sible moment, but they were unable
to do anything for Miss Phelps. Mr.
| Wilkin was kindly cared for, and as
soon as be was able, was borne to the
residence of MIR. Chynoweth, on
State street, and at last accounts was
doing as we'll as could be hoped, con
.siderng the severity of tho shock he
had received.
Miss Phelps was a niece Of His
Honor, Judge VIM. 2. Lyon, of the
supreme court She was = member
of the Sophmore class Of the Univer-
SHY, was about eighteen years of age.
Her parents reside in Delevan, WIS
consin. She was young lady OF
rare beau y and intelligence; the
very picture Of good heath, and her
sweet disposition bad endeared her to
all with whom she associated For
two years she had lived with her IN
Gle Judge Lyon, whose family is
nearly overwhelmed ~-w4th grief at
this. sse<-rrfd @lndescribabIe accident.