The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-11-20
Railroad Accidents.

Oh rluay morning last as the 9.iS
express train from this station was
nearing BOWS Crossing, il was thrown
from the track by a broken rail, and
the cars precipitated down an embank-
ment. Quite number Of passengers
were on board at the time the accident
took place, and the confusion occas-
Toned by the suddenness of the shock
made the danger more imminent than
it afterward proved. Messengers were
dispatched TO the nearest station and
assistance procured. The investiga-
ton of affairs showed that the extent
of the catastrophe had at first been
greatly overated, and though disas-
trous enough, might have been more
fatal.
Among those injured was Mr.. l. J.
Currier, of Woloott, who was so seri-
ously wounded that all endeavors to
save his life proved unavailing, and
he died in three hours from the time
of the accident. Mr.. Currier was
seated on some boxes in the express
ear conversing with express agent
keeler Ca brother of f. z. Keller of
this place), and when the car over
turned the boxes were thrown upon
him and inflicted the injuries which
resulted in his death. Strangely
enough, Mr.. Keller escaped with but
slight bruises.
Mrs. George l.. Waterman, wife of
our esteemed townsman and the Dem
ocratic candidate for Congressman of
the third district in the recent election,
sustained severe injuries, and now lies
in a critical condition at the residence
Of friend in Walden. Mr.. Water
man received intelligence of the disas-
ter at noon and FASTENED to the. scene,
but found his wife so badly injured as
to make her immediate removal to her
home impossible. The lady has suf-
fered greatly, but hopes are entertain
ed that she will be able to return home
by Thursday.
Miss Mary Trainor, the instructor
OF French and music at the LamoiIle
Central Academy in this village, re-
ceived several bruises, but her injuries
are not thought to be serious. She is
now at the home Of her parents in
st. JOhnsbury.
Mrs. Waterman and Miss Trainor
were on their way to st. Johnsbury
for the purpose Of attending the Cam
lila Urso concert which took place on
Friday evening. Both ladies have
large circle Of friends and acquaint-
ances, who extend their sympathies to
them III their misfortune.
Mr.. Frank Leland, Of johnson, the
mail agent of the train has been in
capacitated for present duty by slight
injuries. Mr.. }. d. Goodrich, of East
Hardwick, j. NJ. McPhee, OF Peacham,
and two men who names are unlearned,
from Cabot and Fairfield, were also
slightly injured.
This is the second accident which
has occurred on this section of the
Z. & O.. within two weeks. The first
of these was in the instance Of freight
train crossing the Pumpkin Hill tres
tie and being precipitated a distance
of ninety feet 10 the rocks beneath.
Had the train been a passenger, the
result would have proved shockingly
fatal. The former accident was caus-
ed by the giving away of rotten tim
bers in the trestle; the latter might
have happened on any well-regulated
railroad. The road is defective in
many places, and with the general
knowledge, of its dangerous condition
which exists, it is wonder that peo-
pie can be induced to travel on it at
all. If the railroad company have not
the means to put the road in order,
then they should either discontinue
their trains or put the management of
it into such hands as can and will make
it safe, and who will have a little re-
gard for the public's safety.
On the evening of the same day of
the BOWS Crossing accident, at II
o'clock, a western-bound freight train
jumped the track about q mile east of
this village. Several hours were taken
up in setting matters Alright, and the
next morning the damaged track re-
paired after fashion. In many places
where the ties have rotted away, the
spikes which hold the rails in place are
assisted in their functions by the inser
ton of small wooden pegs, and in fact
the whole job has much the appearance
Of boys play.
The company may be unfortunate,
but the facv remains, as is plain to
everybody who has taken the pains to
investigate, that the road 10 in most
dilapidated condition, and unless some
steps are Immediately taken for its i'm
provement, they must expect to receive
the justly-merited censure of the peo-
pie.
Sheriff SheYWin.