Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-28

Nioicht Dchtn OF Ltttle Bessie Lord.
The deepest gloom has poryadcd our entire com
munity since Thursday last, in consequence Of a
shocking and fatal accident which occurred rs the
Rev. Dr. Lord and little Bessie were returning
from short drive into the country In the fore
noon Of that day, with the horse and buggy VI his
neighbor and friend, Rev. G. S Smith, Mr. Lord,
accompanied by Charlie and BESSIE, aged eight
and five, respectively, went 10 the farmhouse ~
Mr. William Maloy in the 81 Horn Of the Moon
neighborhoOd, overlooking Wrights Mills on the
East, for the purpose Of leaving Charlie to spenda
few days at the farm with daughter Of Mr.. Ma
10y, who had for many years been an inmate of
the Doctors family. Returning a little past noon,
as they came down the rough and almost prccipit-
Gus road leading to Wnght's Mills, and some thirty
rods above the house Of Mr.. James Thayor, the
horse, without sign Of warning, or any perccpti-
bic cause commenced kicking and running vio-
lently down the hill. Mr., Lord gathered upon the
rcins, and excrted himself to the utmost to bring
the frantic animal under control; but az the
carriage careened from side to side Of the
stony and narrow way, he was thrown TO
the ground, falling upon his side, and was
dragged for some rods, little Bessie meanwhile
having dropped to the bottom Of the carriage for
the force Of that ndomitable will and physical
power with which Mr. Lord is so well endowed,
the horse was finally refined up beside the road
and brought under control As he recovered his
upright position, and came into the sight Of the
frightened little girl, she looked appealngly at
| him, and cried out, " Save me, papal" The ten
dorinstincs Of the father led him In that critcalmo-
ment to loosen the reins with one hand and reach
! a. IA Fsa.N. IL.
irenzed horse felt the slight easement upon the
reins, he started with fresh violence, drawing the
reins through the remaining hand Of the driver,
and the framework Of the scat catching the child
ont Of her fathers hand thus retaining her in the
carriage, a. tho now unchecked horse plunged Vi
olenty down the hill. At the house Of Mr.
| Ihaycr, some twenty rods or more distant, there
occurs an abrupt turn in the road, which the
horse at his rate Of speed, was unable to make;
40 he dashed over pile Of timber and a stone
wall, down m embankment into the open meadow
/ below - the carriage uisettng, az the fearful
\ plunge was made, and dashing little Bessie. with
great violence. 10 the earth, amid the coarse rub
/ bsh Of tho place. moment suniced TO Iaise the
I little sufferer and bear her TO the hospitable
house Of Mr.. Thayor, scarcely three rods distant
but hardly was this accomplished before the fran
I tic father appeared upon the scene, and took in
all ts terrible significance at a glance. l,rs
Woodward and Macomber were speedily sum
moned together with other members Of the fam
ny-Mrs Lord being absent at Hanover, in at
tendance upon a sick daughter. Many other SYM
pathizing friends repaired to the scene, and all
that human skill and sympathy could afford was
at hand, but, alas how powerless are they all in
the presence Of death
The accident occurred at about half past twelve
Tie little sufferer fingered, doubtless in an entirely
unconscious state, though more or less sensitive
to the efforts Of the physicians, until four clock
when she finally ceased to breathe. The injuries
were pronounced fatal from the irst-yery little
pulse having been discovered, excep, such as was
produced by stimulating applications, The skull
was found 10 be broken into several pieces the
lower jaw broken upon both sides, terrible
wound upon the hack Of the head, with several
other Commissions about the head, face and upper
portions Of the body With the little frame so
crushed and mangled, It could but be a happy re-
lease when her suiterng> were ended.
just how the Injuries we're inflicted even the
eye-witnessos are by no means positive and
hardly agree In opinion Mr. Thayer, who saw it
ALL thinks the heels Of the horse came in contact
with the child's head as he made his fiual plunge
over the wall; others, that tho wheel struck the
back Of the head, forcing the skull with fatal yio
ence against the earth timber stones 1t all
being the work Of an instant, and that instant so
crowded with peril, no human eye could take it in
or tongue describe it,
When all was over, the lifeless little form was
laid in the bosom Of the broken-hearted father
and tenderly borne to his desolatcd home May
/ al In liz ufptf f.,p
Messing another such sight or scenel But where
was the mouter-she whose presence in that fear
ful hour was second in Importance only to that Of
/ the Divine Comforter Far away, aud preciuded
from reaching home, by regular train, until the
next day. This fact being brought to the knowl-
edge of Governor Smith, without moments
hesitation, and with eonsiderate tenderness that
will never be forgotten by this people, he ordered
her brought by a special train from White River
Junction-whch was done in little more than
an hour and half running time, reaching here at
nine o clock Here let us draw the curtain upon
/ scene and grief which no stranger can iathoml
/ Saturday morning, loving friends gathered to
commit TO the dust the earthly remains of little
| Besse-the pct lamb Of the flock, aud great IA
yorite with all who knew her. Touched with the "a
dance Of Immortality she was even more beauti-
fnl than in life, and her little casket was buried
| in the choicest flowers which nature and the hand
OF human affection could provide Again the
| tender arms Of father aud brother bore forth the
sacred treasure, and committed it to its kindred
dust and beautiful children came and robbed the
grave Of it, gloom by covering it with their floral
offerings
! In the day Of such a crushing affection we
lssow that words are vain, and human coincidence