The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-22
A DISASTER.
-Four Men Killed Outright on Massa-
chusetts Grade Crossing
MARROW ESCAPE OF TWO OTHERS.
Engineers Deny Responsibility
of the Horror

WILLrAMsTowN, Mass, July 2S-Foui
men were instantly killed whilc crossing
Che Fitchburg railroad track, about two
miles from this place, yesterday after
noon. A party of six men in a two seated
covered carriage, while returning 10
North Adams from Bennington, VI, were
struck by a west bound express. Two OF
the men--Clarcnce Prindle and Edward
White, both of this plaoe-escaped by
jumping. The killed are: Oliver Dudley,
Nelson Trudeau, Peter Roche and Tatro,
all of North Adams.
The accident occurred at grade cross
ing known as the "Dugaway." As the
men approached the crossing n freight
train was passing eastward. They waited
until the caboose of the freight train had
gone by and then started TO proceed, ap-
parently not seeing the west bound train
which was advancing at express speed
The carriage was directly across the
tracks when the engine struck it. Prindle
and White had just time to jump, thereby
saving their lives The other men, with
the carriage and one of the horses at
tached, were hurled into the air and came
down In an indescribable heap. Dudley
was the only who breathed after the acci
dent, and ho expired after q few briet
gasps The Others lay as they fell, among
the broken and twisted remnants of the
carriage in which they had been driving.
The mangled carcass of the horse lay a
little to one side, while beside and still at
taehed to IL by the harness stood its mate,
uninjured.
signaIIed by the Freight.
The team drove to within n few feet OF
the crossing and stopped TO allow freight
60 pass. White jumped out of the wagon
and attempted to board the train, but fell
Just then the freight engine began TO give
short whistles.
Prindle, who has worked on the rail
road, knew that was a danger signal and
warned his companions against proceeding
until both tracks were clear. They laughed
at him, however and no sooner had the
caboose Of the freight passed than they
whipped up their horses to cross the tracks
Prindle was alarmed and begged the
men to stop. They continued on theil
way, but no sooner had they gained the
tracks than the passenger train, which had
been hidden from their view by the freight
cars, dashed into them. There was a
short, blood-curdling cry, terrific crash,
and feur men were hurled to death.
II was the worst accident that has oc-
Cured in this vicinity In many years, and
both Pownal and Williamstown wero
greatly excited over It.
1t appears that absolutely no blame Mt
taches to the railroad company William
Blake, who resides within q stones throw
of the accident, and who heard the crash,
Is positive that tho engineer of tho pas
senger train whistled at the proper dis.
tance from the crossing.
Prindle distinctly remembers the warn
Ing whistles, while the other survivor
could not be found this evening, and
nothing could be learned at Williamstown
concerning the families of the dead men.
Close Call For PrindIe.
Prindle's escape from death was re-
markable. He lost both feet In q railroad
accident some time ago, and how he
jumped from the wagon to safety Is
mystery.
He appeared dazed when interviewed,
and could scarcely realize the terrible
fatality, but he told his story in a straight
forward manner, and it agreed with that
Of other witnesses
AS soon as possible the train was stopped
and several people rushed to the scene.
The bodies were taken out from among
the wreckage, and borne to the baggage
car and thence to the Pownal (Vt.) sta
tion, half q mile beyond. Later they were
taken In charge by Undertaken Comisky
of North Adams, and removed to that
place.
1t Is stated that both engineers whistled
and rang the bell at the proper distance
from the crossing, but that these signals
were either not heard or were disregarded
by the men in the carriage.