The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-18
mR. cRomwELL's DEATH.
Particulars OF the Tragic Accident
In Auburn Monday.

The Lewiston journal gives the following
particulars Of the accident by which Col.
Cromwell, deputy collector Of internal reYe-
nue., lost his life;
Col. Cromwell had been In Lewiston since
Friday, and late on Monday started out for
a ride with Jas. A. Gibbon, driving a mare
belonging to A. I. Neal Of Lewiston. They
coursed around town for time and then
drove into Auburn. Just where the mare
started or just how, is not definitely known,
for no one saw the beginning Of the acct
dent. Mr.. Glbbon was driving. II Is thought
possibly that the mare struck her heel
against the cross-bar, or was startled by
something by the roadside. When they
turned the upper corner Of Elm street tow
ards Main, they were going furiously, both
hanging to the reins with all their strength.
Down Elm street towards Main, the descent
is sharp and the road Icy. The mare was
going at a breakneck speed and the few who
saw the accident felt that nothing could
save them. The sleigh slowed around the
corner, nearly opposite DIR. Peables'. toppled
over, and with great crash, pitched the
two men out into the lattice work Of the
small tree near the roadside and the fright
ened horse passed on. 1t was the incident
of a moment. The crash and grinding ofthe
sleigh soon passed out Of hearing and the
residents Of the houses near by, fastened TO
the assistance Of the two men.
Mr.. Cromwell lay upon his face. He had
struck the lattice work OF the tree and had
torn it aside, passing 1t and sliding a short
distance along upon the Ice. Blood was cov-
ering his face and hands and clothing, and
flowed out In dismal pool upon the snow
and ice. The cash was horrifying. 1t ak
tended well up from his forehead, and frac-
tured scalp and skull-the brains fairly ooz-
ing forth. He did not speak. In fact, he
never rallied in the least from the moment OF
the accident to the time Of his death, half
an hour later, making no sign and speaking
no word. His clothing was torn. his hands
scratched and his face bruised. Mr.. Glbbon
was thrown upon the other side of Mr.. Crom-
well, passing, in fact, quite over him. Some
thing directed mis- course from direct coils
ion with the tree or the electric light pole
and saved his life. He was able to rise; 10
call for assistance, and when 1t came, TO give
directions and to assist At first the ladies in
the neighboring residences gave about all the
assistance. Sufficient help was soon sum
moned, however, and Col. Cromwell was
taken In charge, and In one OF kimballs
coal teams that was passing was taken TO the
Elm House Dr. Sturgis was called. He
rendered all tne assistance possible. Col.
Cromwell died In about half an hour.
His death occurred In the sitting room Of
the Elm House. The wound at the back OF
the head was the source Of a great effuslon
of blood. This wound was sewn up by the
physician. The right eye was horribly cut
and swollen. A long cash and fracture ex-
top Of the skull. He made no signs Of
suffering. Mr.. Gibbon was walking about
the re0m during the first OF the scene and
gave some directions. He left. however,
for Lewiston In care OF friend and TO
notify John Cromwell OF Lewiston and other
morning he had not known Of the death OF
Col. CrOmwell-the fact being kept from him
owing to his nervous condition.
Mr.. Gibbons injuries, although painful,
are not serious. His arm Is broken, his nose
badly crushed and his head cut. l.. z. Hun
toon passed the night with him and says that
he was extremely nervous and In much pain.
He asked frequently II they had heard from
Cromwell, and he was told that he was easy
accident, which IS the most accurate
to be obtained. He says that they
left @. p. brakes cigar shop about half an
hour before the accident. They drove over
to Auburn and around town. He was driv--
ing. They had come down High street and
turned to Elm street, and Ia making the
turn the mare struck her heel against the
runner and started on the leap. lie held as
best he could. The pitch of the hill down
past the Pickard estate Is sharp. CromweN
grabbed the relns from him and they beth
held to them. The ride was short, but twas
terrifying They turned the cOrner'TSith the
sleigh on one runner. A row Of small trees
is along the east side of Main street One OF
them with lattice work Is close by the side
of an electric light pole. He himself was on
the right hand side, or the side nearer the
curb-stone. He pitched out, striking for
tunately upon his side and face and escaping
the tree aud the pole. Cromwell pitched out
over him, striking either tree or pole. IL
was all in an instant He assisted Cromwell
into the coal team and did all he could; The
horse ran into Lewiston and was caught.