Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-10-10

DEATH OF FORMER WESTMINSTER MAN IN
RAILROAD COLLISION IN NEW MExIco-HIs
BURIAL HERE.
[From the Morning journal, Albuquerque New Mex
ico Sept. 2lst.l
TWO HEROES, W. X. FISHER AND ALLEN BAXTER LOSE
THEIR LIVES TO SAVE THEIR PASSENGERS.
The south passenger train that left this city
yesterday morning at 80 came in collision one mile
south OF lsleta with a nOrth-bound freight train.
Engineer W. X. Fisher and Fireman Allen Baxter
OF the passenger train lost their lives but the passen
gers escaped. 1t seems that the passenger train
between Is and 20 minutes late in leaving the union
depot here and did not expect TO meet auy train until
their arrival at the junction. At Iseta three miles
this side of the junction. there side track, and
the conductor of the freight train evidently imagined
that he could reach the siding ahead OF the passenger
train. So far as we can learn he left the juno
ton right the time of the passenger train
aud without orders from the Dispatcher. Fish
err who was the engineer Of the passenger train said
he noticed the headlight Of the freight train but sup
posed it was at the junction. When the two trains
met Fisher had reversed his engine put down the air
brakes and, heroike, refused to leave the machine,
preferring to give up his life sacrifice than
risk his passengers. Poor Allen Baxter, brave fellow
that he was, stuck by his engineer aud tonight the
two are lying dead, but their memories will be cher
shed and their names go into history among those
who brayed death itself to shield others.
Baxter was crushed between the engine and tender
and was dead when discovered but Fisher though
terribly injured, survived for three or four hours
long enough at any rate to bid those who surrounded
him last goodbye. He never murmured with pain
nor wished that he might live, but like soldier
marched to the great beyond. He was 20 years OF
at work In Arizona, and another who is mayor OF
Creston, Iowa.
coroner's inquest is being held before Judge
Burke, and we may all rest assured that the party
guilty of this criminal carelessness will be brought to
justice. The Knghts Of Pythias, Of which order
Fisher was member, held meeting last evening
aud passed series OF resolutions concentrating
his worth as man and the brave sacrifice which be
made, and deploring his untimely death.
The sad intelligence of Mr.. Fishers death was i'm
mediatey telegrSphed to Byron o. Fisher in Arizona,
who hastened to Albuquerque and started for
GrestOn, Iowa, body brother.
met by Hon. Chas. Fisher, who is mayor Of Creston,
and his wife, and they started at for Westmin-
ster. They Joined on the way East by Mrs L.
f. Branard of Jackson, Mich, and Mrs. o. A. Taft
of Buffalo, n. Y. The mourning company arrived at
and met the mother, Mrs. q. G. Fisher, at the old
homestead. 1t only eleven months ago that they
all met at the place at family reunion, and the
one now dead was in life and health. The funeral
was held the following Monday at p. n. To the
a6oye-named children. who were present should be
ADDED MT. and Mrs. q. L. Pierce OF Putney Inc
two sons-in-law, Mr.. Brainard and Mr.. Taft, and
three grandchildren were absent. There we're beau
tuul horal contributions from friends IN AlouQuer-
que and CrestOn, also from Putney and Westminster
Rev. N. D. Parsons of Putney, assisted by Rev. J. l..
Sewall OF Westminster, conducted the funeral
vices. Appropriate singing under the direction OF
Mr.. Phippen Of Massachusetts, was rendered at the
house and grave. The grave was srewn with boughs,
vines and flowers, with the name "Will" made from
moss.
Mrs. c. @. Fisher is an old resident Of westmin-
ster. Since the death Of her husband, ten years
since she has passed most Of her time with her chill
dren, principally at Mrs. g. L. Pierce's in Putney
sue IL very active MEMBER OF the baptist chutch OF
Putney She was just preparing to go out West to
spend the winter with her children when this sad
message came. She has the sympathy Of all who
know her in this sad bereavement She is trusfu In
the Father of all and is lovingly sustained by devot-
ed and anectionate children. Mr. o. Fisher and Mrs.
Brainard return Thursday, Mrs Fisher going with
them.
All the friends express their thanks for the tender
sympathy generously manifested, both here and In
Albuquerque. In the latter place these expressions
were warm and universal and Mr. Byron Fisher was
assured that his brother would long be held In memo
ry both railroad man and for his noble and gener
Gus qualities as q citizen. p.
"A new road has been laid on the east
slope of the depot hill and is now being
worked, which will save much of the heavy
grade. As there iS considerable clay in the
hill it will require good coating of gravel
and sand to make hard road bed.
Mr.. Bonds new house is progressing
quite fast. Eleven workmen are employed
on the place with the intention of getting it
ready to occupy this falls
Mr.. M. s. Moulton having sold his house
to Mr.. Alvin Wright has removed to Boston.