St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-06-21
FATAL ACCIDENT.
Fred Hale Falls from Moving Train
and is Instantly Killed.

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Fred Hale, son of Amos P. Hale of
this place, while returning from trip
to Woodsville in company with Joseph
George, fell from the platform of one of
the cars of the night express from the
South, due here at 2.O4 a. M, Sunday
morning, and was instantly killed.
The accident occurred near the north
end of the first covered bridge this side
of Passumpsic, where his body was af-
terward found. He was % years of
age and unmarried. George is about
10. Both belonged in st. Johnsbury
and were employed at the scale works.
The circumstances that led to the
accident, gathered from Georges story
and from the reports of those who
were early on the spot, are substantial
ly as follows During the preceding
evening Hale and George drove to
Danville after cider. They returned
here and took the 9.42 train south for
Woodsville. Arriving there, both in
dulged in liquor. George claims that
he was not drunk though he admits
that he drank both beer and whisky.
Hale, he says, drank beer but not
stronger liquor to his knowledge. Both
bought number of bottles of liquor,
however, at Isaac Georges tavern, ac-
cording to young Georges statement,
and started for home on the night
train. After leaving Passumpsic
George says they heard the conduc-
tors cry of "St. Johnsbury," and both
went out on the rear platform of
the car, each stepping to opposite
sides. The train was moving rapidly
and just how long he stood there
George doesn't seem to know, but
when he turned Hale was missing.
SuppOsing he had gone into the car,
George went back but failed to find
him. Meanwhile the train was APP
preaching St. Johnsbury. Conductor
Wheeler was notified of Hale's disap-
pearance and on arriving here tele
graphed to Lyndonville the facts in
the case, that he had taken on at
WOOdsville two men who were drunk
but peaceable and that one of them
was missing.
| Orders were returned to send a
hand-car down the track in search of
the body. There was wild engine
on the line at the time that delayed
matters somewhat, and by the time
that came in the 3.15 night mail was
due, but us soon as possible men start
ed in search of the body. 1t was found
face down, lying just inside the bridge,
evidently in the same position as when
Hale first struck. The men returned
and notified the town officials, and Sc
lectman Carpenter in company with
DR.. III. G.. Newell went down and re-
moved the body, returning with it to
st. Johnsbury. Hale struck on his
face, the chin and forehead receiving g
the force of the blow, and he was COM
pletely doubled up. In his pockets
were found two bottles of whisky and
one cent. George says he thinks he
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at one time during the evening while
at Woodsville.
Rumors of foul play were early
afioat and Sheriff Sulloway interview
ed George, holding him an hour or so
and the states attorney put him
through thorough cross examination.
1t was evident enough that the facts
as above stated covered the case and
that there was no ill feeling or trouble
between the two men. George was
held for drunkenness Monday, found
guilty and fined $5 and costs.
Funeral services were held over the
remains of Fred Hale Tuesday, Rev.
John Ward officiating, the burial be-
ing at Lyndon. A short time ago
Hale joined the Knights of Honor, thus
securing an insurance on his life of
$1,000 which goes to his mother. The
members of the order attended the fu-
neral in body and a mum Der of them
acted as bearers. Young Hale's pa
rents are worthy and respected citi-
zens of this village and are grief strick-
en- over the sad ending of their son.
1t appears that Woodsville has for
some time been sort of wholesale
rum shop for St. JOhnsbury. In this
instance two young fellows, one a mi
nor, found no trouble in procuring all
the liquor they had money to pay for.
Others have gone down on similar er-
rands, bringing back supplies for their
friends. The question has repeatedly
been asked since this accident, if there
lis no protection for st. Johnsbury
against such Outrages. With all the
temperance legislation that has been
enacted both in Vermont and in New
Hampshire, is there no way by which
some of these laws can be made to ap-
ply to the WoOdsville rum dealers 1t
was less than a year ago that young
man from Barnet was killed on the
road, rum jug being found by his
side after the accident.
Academy Notes.
The senior class passed a very
pleasant evening with Mr.. and Mrs
Jonathan Ross Friday evening. Prizes
were given to two boys, first prize
for the best specimen of sewing and
the second for the poorest. The girls
also displayed their musical ability by
whistling Yankee Doodle, or rather