Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-05-04
A Sad Accident.

William Wilcox, one of our most es-
timable young men, and an expert
draughtsman, met with a sad accident
at the Hunt crossing just below the
Soldiers Home, soon after midnight,
Wednesday morning, that nearly cost
him his life. He is son of N. o. Will
COX, and resides with his mother on SAT-
ford street. He has been employed in
the architects Office of w. G. Bull I'M
til lately, when he has been doing work
for Franklin Scott of North Bennington.
1t is his custom to go over to the North
village in the evening, after days work
at his profession, discuss the plans and
return, sometimes at late hour, and
thus save time. In so doing he has fire.
quently walked during this pleasant
spring weather. Tuesday evening he
walked over, and on his return, by the
highway, with large roll of drawings
under his arm, he approached this vii
lage not far from twelve o'clock. AS he
crossed the red bridge, west and near the
crossing where the accident occurred,
he heard the sleeping train backing into
the station. He came along to tho rail-
road. In stepping across the track he
tripped ON plank or splinter that
stuck up, and fell, striking on his fore
head, was partially stunned so that he
lay where he fell. He heard the train
coming and with almost a superhuman
effort, he endeavored to get out of its
way. 1t appears that he succeeded all
but his right foot, which was run over
and crushed. This restored him to full
consciousness, and, as the train passed
along without stopping, or the engineer
seeming to have seen him, Mr.. Wilcox
began to look abJut for assistance.
Here comes in the heroic part of the &C.
currence. The Soldiers Home was
about one-third of mile away He
Immediately began his painful journey
on his hands and knees, towards it, at
times calling for help. When he
reached the stone culvert, near the
watering trough, he cut a willow, and
with it improvised, with handkerchief,
tourniquet, and succeeded in stopping
the flow of blood. When he was one
hundred feet or so below the fountain,
his cries for help aroused Maj. Coffey,
who, with others, went at once to his as
sistance. Mr.. Wilcox was taken to the
Home hospital and cared for. Medical
assistance was speedily summoned. 1t
was found necessary to amputate the
leg, which was accordingly done in the
morning, at point about one-thlrd the
way up, between the ankle and knee
joints. The surgeons were Drs. Rogers,
Bennett and Wilcox, and the patient is
doing as well as can be expected under
the circumstances. No doubt his pres
ence of mind and knowledge of what to
do saved his life; and all through the
night, after as we'll as before the opera
ton, he showed that he was of that ma
terial of which heroes are made, and
there is only the hope expressed that he
will again be around soon, as he is pop
ular with all who know him.
He carries an accidental insurance of
$4,000 and is, fortunately, a member of
Walloomsac Lodge N. E. o. P. whose
Relief Committee was around as soon as
possible and promptly provided trained
nurse, besides providing for his every
comfort during his recovery.
1t seems singular that the engineer of
the train, with a bright headlight in
front of his engine, should not have OBJ
served him, lying as he was so near the
track, and on crossing of the highway.
This is not the first time Mr.. Wilcox
has tripped on this obstruction, and it
would appear that the planks should be
spiked so that no one else may be caught
in a like or similar manner.