The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-03
East Arlington.

LAST ArnukNOns
FATAL ACCIDENT.
Saturday morning, June p, at three
past seven, while oiling the |
main shafting in Judson and Deming's
saw-frame factory, Fayette Shepherd of
this place was caught by the clothes on
the shafting revolving $50 times to the
in such a manner that both
legs were brokon below the knee, six
ribs were crushed in and the right arm
was amputated about half way between
the elbow and shoulder almost as
as though it had been done by
the surgeons knife. There were also in
ternal injuries of such a nature that
he died at five minutes past twelve the
same day. When found he was Invested
of every thread of clothing, even his
truss was found wound around the shaft.
He was fully conscious at the time he
was found and remained so until $50 or
10 a. m, when symptoms Of commissions
appeared, chloroform was administered
until the time of final dissolution, to re-
lieve mm from the terrible agony he suf-
fered. The exact cause of the accident
will ever remain a mystery, but it is sup
posed that the frayed ends of his frock
sleeve in some way caught on the shaft,
polished though it was. 1t has been
many years since an accident of anything
like so serious nature has occurred in
this vicinity, in fact the writer has been
able to learn of only two or three in the
memory Of anyone living. Mr.. Shepherd
was born in Fort Ann, n. Y, Feb. Goth,
1894, and consequently was 81 years and
four months old. At the time Of his de-
cease Mr.. Shepherd had lived in town
about IS years, and by his genial and
sympathetic nature had become en-
deared to all. There is hardly a family
in town but what bears witness to his
many acts of kindness and love in times
of affection and trouble, and now at his
untimely death each seems to vie with
the other in doing what they can for the
afflicted and bereaved family. A former
employer said: "When he left my shop l
did not see how l was to get along with
out him. He could be trusted any
where" A lady in neighboring town
said: when l heard OF the great sor-
row feltas though l must go at once,
as remember how kind the family were
to me in times past, when was in deep
affiiction.n Much mere of a similar ma
ture might be related. In the shop
where he met his death Mr.. Shepherd
Attu WOlhCu hOnlC lNtlNC vi nlUCth years
as foreman, and was considered invalua-
BILE by his employers.
On Linc0ln's call for nine months men,
Mr.. Shepherd enlisted in the 14th Yer
mont, and served until discharged for
disability. Since the formation of the
G. A. r. he has been a worthy member,
and for many years Chaplain of Post
Dudley. Mr.. Shepherd was always a
q rnFnt faT M and 1tttinor N
days of the Rechabltes, was prominent
member of the order. His brother says
he never drank glass of liquor. Mr..
Shepherd was member of the Congre-
gational church, and for twenty years
acted as sexton for the church here.
He also was at one time member of the
1. o. o. f., but two years since he took a
withdrawal card since, which time he was
identified with no branch of the order.
Mr.. Shepherd had three brothers and
four sisters, two of whom only survive
him, William Shepherd and Mrs. Ben
jamin Eastman all of this place. He
was married April 10, 1858, to Julia f.
Buck, by whom he had four childr EN-
three of whom with his widow survive
to mourn his loss. The funeral was at
tended from the Congregational church,
where the members of Post Dudley, G..
A. r., acted as guard of honor, attend
| ing in body. Members of the G.. A. r.
from Bennington, Dorset and Manches-
ter also were present, in all upwards of
forty, Relatives and friends were pres
ent from Rutland, Ludlow, Manchester,
Rupert and Bennington, VT, Schuyler
vile, Troy and Hoosick Falls, N. Y,
North Adams, Ashburnham and Will
Jamestown, Mass, and Winstead and
Seymour, Conn.
The floral tributes were many and ele
giant. On behalf of friends at Arlington,
Rev. Richard Soaring presented sickle
of roses, pure white centre shaded to
deepest crimson. Friends at East
Arlington pillow of forget-me-nots, a
beautiful star Of vari-colored flowers and
an elegant cross of roses. The alter was
tastefully draped with an elegant chain
of DAISIES. Friends from Bennington
brought some beautiful roses which
were tastefully arranged as a basket and
were placed beside the pillow of forget
me-nots on the table In front of the altar.
| The procession contained upwards of
sixty teams, and extended from the
Congregational church to point oppo-
site the residence of the late ShailoT
Hard. The Congregational choir was
assisted by the members of the Metho-
dist and also the Episcopal choir. A
special double quartette assisted the G..
A. r., in their impressive service at the
cemetery. Mr.. Shepherd was man Of
few words and transformations habits,
whose actions spoke far louder than
words and whose memory will ever be
held sacred by the many families whom
he has helped and assisted in tines OF
trouble and sorrow, and it is owing 10
these actions largely that so large a con.
course of people attended the funeral.
His last words were, 81 have tried SO to
| live that might,be- -n
80 live. that when thy summons comes to join
|
"Then 20 not, like the quarry Save at night,
Scourgest To- his dungeon; but sustained and
| sOothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
like one who wraps the drapery Of his couch
About him. and lies him down to pleasan
dreams" -ETVdni.
One of the Oldest residents here says
this was the 'argest funeral ever held at
the Congregational church. Since writ
ing the above, another of the old resi-
dents tells us that in shop not far from
the one where Mr.. Shepherd met his
death, another of the same name but no
relative, met similar death about 6C
years ago. E, r. Q.