Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-01
Terrible Rallroad Disaster.

one Of the most horrible railroad accidents that
has occurred in Vermont for years Happened to
the New York express train on Wednesday, the
23d ult., about midnight, near South Wallingford,
on the Harlem Extension railroad. The train left
Rutland thirty minutes late, and, on account Of
the extreme cold weather Superintendent Burdett
feared that they might break rail, and gave the
conductor orders not to make up any time The
train proceeded at low rate Of speed, but when
within fifty rods OF South wallingford station, the
engine broke a rail, throwing the rear passenger
car, and the Wagner sleeping car, behind II. from
the track. The passenger car followed the road
bed, but the sleeping car was thrown down the
embankment some fifteen feet high smashing
the car, and setting It ON fire from the stove.
There were nine or ten persons in the car at the
time. The car was burned, and the remains Of
several persons were found. The remains Of two
those Of c. H. Bissell, proprietor Of the sherman
House, Chicago, and his son, Willis II.-wcre
identified. Mr. Bissell was the first TO escape
from the car, but his son, who was caught in the
debris called for help, and he returned to assist
him out, and 1t is supposed that he was sunocated
before reaching his son. Mr. Bissel senior, was
about forty-fye years Of age, and was widely
known rs a prominent hotel man lie was ON his
way 10 New York, 10 negotiate q loan for furni-
ture for the sherman House. His son, aged sew
enteen years, was accompanying him. Mr.. Bissoll
leaves wife, mother and two sisters one OF them
the wife Of Wilbur =. Story Of the Chicago Times
The remains Of Mr.. Bssell and his son were taken
to Nergeunes for ntemeut The injured are:
Hon =. +. Woodbridge, Of vergenncs, injured in
ternally; A. NJ Gilbert, Of the firm Of A. VI Gil
lurN A q 81.
face; Mr. Pitkin, of the firm Of pitkin, Brother &
Co, Gas filters Hartford, Conn, bad scalp wound,
and II is feared he is internally injured; Francis J
Iierney, Montreal, scratched and bruised, and his
wife seriously injured about Tie head and face
Mr. Chipman Of Montreal bruised An unknown
man, who refused to give his name, was consider
ably hurt, but went on to Albany Several Of the
train men were more or less Injured, among whom
were Conductor Wilder, Conductor Moody, Of the
sleeping car, and the colored porter The passon-
gers in the sleeping car were in their borths and
lost all their clothing and valuables. They were
kindly supplied with clothing by the passengers
in the other cars, who stripped themselves Of every
unnecessary garment to alleviate their suffering
Superintendent Burdett, and Drs Pond Of Rut-
land, and Whipplc, Of Dandy, were promptly on
the ground, and did an in their power for the
comfort Of the injured.
Mrs Ella Bssell, the wife and mother, passed
through Ratland, on Saturday, ON her way to
Nergcnnes. Very few women have had more
hearts turned toward them than Mrs Bssell. The
thoughts Of millions, as they have read the de-
tails Of that unfortunate event. have instnctiyely
reverted to her. Mrs Bissell was accompanied by
her uncle, Lorenzo Bixby, and wife, Of Kalama-
zoo, Michigan Mrs. Lorenzo Bixby happened to
he stopping with Mrs. Bssell in Chicago, at the
time they received the dispatch announcing the
fate Of husband and son. They left that day,
Thursday, at quarter past five in the afternoon.
dispatch from Albany to Mr.. Nahum r. Kings
ley requested him to meet them at the depot Mrs.
Bissell and party left the ear and went into the
waitng-room at the depot. She appeared very
pale and calm. She had not Yet been informed
Of the condition of the remains Of her husband
and son, it having been feared it might unfit her
for the journey Mrs. Bissell remarked. "rhis is
dreadful. am all alone now "