Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-06
The Collision.

A serious accident occurred at Montpelier juno
ton last Wednesday noon which, in nine cases
out of ten, would have resulted in considerable
loss OF life, but this seemed to be the lucky time
and only two persons were injured-one seriously,
the other slightly. The engineer of the Barre
branch train was unable to stop his train at the
usual place and 1t ran into the fast express which
was just entering the station. Those who are ac-
quainted with the arrangement OF the tracks at
the junction will see that the trains would meet
at an angle OF about forty-fve degrees, while
moving in opposite directions. The engine Of the
Barre train struck the forward car Of the express
and raked the whole length OF the train, stopping
partly under the rear car. All the cars were con-
sideraby stove up, especially the last two, which
were piled up on top OF their trucks. One steam
chest on the engine Vermont, which runs on the
branch road was broken in but otherwise that
train was not damaged. French woman in the
rear car was severely scalded on the face and
hands by the steam which escaped from the
broken steam chest but, after being brought to
this village and having her burns dressed, she
was found to be able to proceed to her destination
Meriden, Connecticut The real victim of the
disaster was Mr.. Charles McAllister, the we'll
known and much-liked Pullman car conductor or
that train. lie was standing on the steps, Jus
ready TO hand passenger from his car, when the
trains met and in some way his left leg wa
caught Just above the ankle and badly crushed
He was taken at once to the Pavilion and Drs
Chandler, Putnam and Kemp were summoned
1t was at first feared that amputation would b'
necessary, hut after consultation II was decided
set the broken bones, dress the wound, and try
to save the foot Mr. McAllstor bore the whole
painful operation like n hero, without taking any
anesthetic, and has since displayed wonderful
amount OF courage He has been carefully nurseC
and there seems to be every reason to expect tina
in due time he will be all right again. 1t turn
out that the accident was due to the fact that thu
pipes by which the air brakes are operated wer
connected with only two cars, while there wer
four in the train, and the track being covered
with light snow and the trains going faster thar
| usual on account Of being late the engineer wa
unable to control his cars. When the two extr
cars were added the proper person neglected t
couple the air pipes. Pending the investigation
conductor Bailey, engineer Pearson, and brake
man Moody of the branch train have been sus
pended 1t was cause of wonder to many VIII
viewed the wreck that no one was killed outright
| II the cow-catcher of the branch train had no
struck set of trucks first and so spent consider
| able of its force, 1t would doubtless have broke
through the side of one of the cars and the result
would have been fearful to contemplate. Their
was an unusually large number OF passengers o.
the branch train, the legislature having adjourne
| that morning, but they escaped with fright an
| a severe shaking up. A new train was made Il
with cars that had been used on the branch roa
and the passengers on the express proceeded o
| their way after delay of one or two hours. Tn
work of clearing the track required all the aftel
| noon and the express from Boston was delaye
| here until about seven o'clock.