Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-09
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.
One Man Killed and Another Fatally
Injured.

A dreadful accident occurred on the Mis-
sisquoi railroad near North Enosburgh yes
terday morning, by which fireman was
killed. an engineer probably fatally injured
aud number of persons severely hurt The
train was mixed, consisting Of locomotive
Thomas Flood engineer and Fred Hauver
fireman., two freight cars and one passenger
car, and left st. Adams at $50 a m. George
Stockwcll was the conductor. At point on
the road about half a mile this
side of North Enosburgh there Is
temporary side track running some
sixty rods to the bank of the
river where there is gravel pit. This
track is not at all substantially constructed,
not being permanent affair, and the grade
is very steep The switch is located at turn
in the road and can be seen from only short
distance. On this occasion the switch was
turned and the train, instead OF following
the main track was of course turned
upon the temporary track leading to
the gravel pit Engineer Flood at once
reversed his engine and jumped for his life,
but was terribly hurt, having both legs bro
ken and his skull fractured just over the
eyes. His injuries arc probably fatal. In
less time than it takes to tell the story the
train plunged down the steep descent. The
locomotive and forward freight car lcaped
into the river, which at this point is about
thirty feet deep, and Fireman Hauver was
carried with them. Some time later his body
was found between the engine and the ten
der, his head being considerably bruised.
AS the locomotive went over the bank
the rails spread and one OF them broke,
and the passenger car and the remain
Ing freight car were thus saved or the per-
sons on the train, but three, fortunately,
were hurt. Superintendent Thomas Deal
suffered cuts on his left leg and the side of
his head A. w. Woodwork of Enosburgh
Falls was badly cut about the head and E..
Lemay received cut under one eye. 1t was
fortunate and narrow escape for all. Fire
man lIauver belonged in Stanbridge, 7. G.,
and was unmarried
As to tic cause of the accident, there is
little doubt but that 1t was occasioned by n
switch purposely misplaced. Not long be-
fore the train arrived at the spot the track
walker reported the switch as all right. 1t
was properly set on Saturday night and there
had been no occasion for changing 1t but 1t
is said that the imprint of a mans hand was
seen on the frosty switch rod alter the acct
Dent Suspicion points to an individual who
was seen in the vicinity of the switch about
90 minutes before the train was due at North
Enosburgh, and it is supposed that he
threw the switch over and locked it. purpos-
lug to throw the train on the gravel track
and bother it little, never thinking what
terrible consequences might result.
Arrest OF II Nan Suspected of Causing
the Wreck.
ST.. ALBANs, VT, Nov. 5.-Edward Ellis,
suspected of wrccking the train on the Mis-
slsquoi railroad this morning, was arrested
this afternoon, at Richford, and confessed tc
using the switch early this morning, bu'
claims that he left it all right. The evidence
is strong against him.
The Train Wrecixcr Makes a Comics
sion-Ihc Engineer Dead.
Edmund Ellis, who was suspected of mis-
placing The switch near North Euosburgl
on Monday, was found at Richford late Mon
day afternoon by B. j. Kendall and w. G.
Benton Of the Falls. 1t seems that Ellis was
a brakeman on the South Eastern, and had
been in the habit of riding from Richford &c
Euosburgh Falls, where his people lived. on
the Missisquoi train, without pass. After
repeated warnings he was last week put OIL
the cars, and it is supposed that he turned
this switch simply out of spite. lie had
key which fitted the switch, and he was seen
by several parties in that locality, Just few
minutes before the train was due
moving hurrcdly away. Moreover,
hand was found on the frosty switch rod and
| of Al tho cu,itrh II nnnpnrnf
that Ellis skulkcd into Rchford, whence h
had gone TO Sutton Flats u. Q thinking t
get into Canada but finding the way cut of
even there, he returned to Richford on {
freight train and was arrested. Tuesday
morning lie confessed that he turned thu
the switch, but claimed that when he heart
the train whistle he thought it was the grave
train, and that the switch should be thrown
over on to the gravel track to let them in
lie had hearing at Enosburgh Falls, a
which examination was waived and he wa
committed TO Jail without bail for trial at thu
April term of the county court. lie wa
taken to ST. Adams and lodged in Jail, b.
Sheriff lIabcrt. Ellis is hut 10 years old.
Engineer Flood died Tuesday morning
Besides the fracture of legs and skull he wa
otherwise hurt so that his recovery was wei
nigh impossible. For some time before hi
death he was unconscious. His remain
were properly cared for bv the railroad OIL
cials and taken to ST. Albans on n specia
train. Flood was 80 years old and leaves
wife.
The Messenger gives some additional de
tails of the casualty. 1t appears that Hauvci
| the fireman, was killed by a blow on tn
head Some of his teeth were knocked on
ard be was bleeding from the ear. Til
blow was either sufficient to kill him, or els
it stunned him so Gs to render HIM helplcs
and he was unable to save himself fror
drowning. llauver was "a years old. Iii
body was taken to Stauhridgc Station. L. q
on special train Monday night
| Richard Butts, an express messenger o
| o. dcnsburgh, was riding on the engine. A
| they approached the river he jumped, bu
not in time TO save himself from going int
the water. He rose 10 the surface and swal
ashore, receiving no bruises save slight on
on the knee.
In addition to the two gentlemen mention
cd as having jumped from the car s'eI
another man named Pelkic, from Glen su
ton, =. O., jumped and received broke
leg. Thu water at the scene of the uccldci
is some 90 feet deep, md the wrecked englI
was only just visible bencath the water. III
bank 10 very steep and the grade of the gray
track is also steep, SO that the descent I'M
the river was at fearful speed, although II
brakes were ON.
. Ellis takes matters very coolly,and see me
TO care little about his arrest Only once d
he show any feeling, and that was this NOR
ing when he confessed to Mr.. Gross. /
broke down then and seemed very pcnitcn
He claims no intent TO work such fearf
havoc, but just what he did mean to do isr
quite clear.