Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-20
SEEMS AN iMPOsslBlLlTY
That the Accident Could Have Happened
without Fatality,

Bellows Falls, Feb B.-The scene OF
this mornings railroad wreck presents
frightful appearance and 1t seems impos-
sible that any one could have gone down
with 1t and live The embankment is over
20 feet high, covered with huge ragged
boulders. The combination smoker and
mail car lies parallel with the track over
80 feet from the rails, right side up. with
a boulder weighing over ton inside. The
car turned over twice, dslodging the
rocks, and all falling together. This boul-
der crashed down through the roof and
the trucks of the passenger car landed on
the roof, smashing 1t badly, but not going
through. The baggage car lies still fur
ther away upon its side, completely de-
molished.
down the bank the lower end resting near
the smoker. while the upper end reaches
within ten or fifteen feet or the track,
right side up. having also rolled over twice
in getting there. The cars have hardly
anything of value unbroken.
The locomotive was No. 49, run by AL
Pratt, the oldest passenger engineer on the
road. He was running the engine the
night of the disaster at Brockway's Mills.
in 1878, when the whole passenger train
plunged Into washed out culvert, killing
three and injuring many passengers. He
was seriously injured then, and has had
many narrow escapes.
The engine dTivers did not leave the
rails, but the pilot, trucks and tender
wheels are all on the ground. The engine
ran some distance In that way. Mr.. Pratt
says THE train was running 35 or 40 miles
an hour down steep grade, and has to
run rapidly to make time. there being so
many stops. He felt the engine when 1t
struck the ground, reversed steam, ap-
piled the air brakes and used every en-
deavor to stop. He did not see the cars
go down. The train broke apart between
the tender and baggage car. When he
stopped he looked for the train, but could
not see it, as 1t was around a curve down
the bank and out of sight. He and his
fireman stuck to the engine till 1t stopped,
then went back to the cars.
All the people had gotten out except
Mail Clerk George L. Fletcher. who was
buried under the malls and debris, beside
,he wreck in his car. After some search
hey found him. then Pratt got a team and
vent to Ludlow to give the alarm and get
aurgeons. When the cars came down the
tank they came near striking the top Of
Farmer Vetoris FroSt's barn Mrs Frost
vas looking at the train and says she al
ways thought some train would come down
upon Their buildings. they stood so near.
All speak In the highest terms of the kind
Aess OF this family Their house was turn
I'd into a hospital until near night when
he severely injured were taken to Rut-
and.
train, William II. Steele of Rutland a
representative of Lampecht Bros. company.
bond dealers Of Cleveland, bound to
Springfield, Mass. bruised considerably
and who went TO Springfield tonight. j,
Arthur Cape of Mertden, Conn, selling
silverware for Rogers & SMITH, who re-
mains here Tonight, suffering severely
from contusions on his legs, and Ernest
Dickerman, of INTERCHANGEABLE, who took
the train ait Mount Holly for Boston
bruised somewhat, but not seriously, and
who has proceeded on his way. He went
with the engineer TO the farm house pro-
cured team and drove three miles tC
Ludlow. giving tn alarm and getting
doctors. He froze both ears, tho mercury
being down to 81 below.
Besides these, railroad carpenter T.
Barber of Rutland and five trainmen
made nine who went down. The train
men injured are as told In earlier de-
spatctas and they are getting along we'll
All were taken to Rutland this Afternoon
except Mail Agent Fletcher who ia at hi
home at Chester. He Is not seriously in
jured, burt Is suffering from slight bruise!
and was badly shaken up. The passeng
ers were all in the coach. but had THEY
been in the smoker some must have beer
killed.
Baggage Master Fred Blood of Rutland
was seriously injured about the head, bu
was able to be moved home. Conductor
Sections injuries will incapacitate hin
from work for a long Time but no ser
our results are feared. lie was sitting IL
the rear seat of the coach and when tn,
car struck he was thrown forward hal
way In the car and on the second lurci
to the rear door, which, shaken from III
hinges, few and struck his head. II,
landed In the front part of the car among
the debris Of seats and all moveables.
Mr.. Cape. when he felt the first crash
laid down In the centre aisle. grasped tn
base Of the seats on each side and hung on
1t seemed half an hour before he sot I,
the bottom and stopped, and ne though
of everything thar ever occurred In hi
life during that time. He found Mmsel
in q pile of everything IN the front end.
Orders have been issued by the radlroa,
officials to use the greatest caution Il
running all trains at all points until tn
severe weather abates.