The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-08
AFATHER GOES INSANE.
William Bell Met Instant Death On the
Norwich Iine-Cecil Brown So Badly
Crushed That He Expired Sad
Scene By the Side of
the Dying BOY.

Webster, Aug. There were two ia
tal accidents on the Norwich and Wor-
cester division of the New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad today.
William Bell, aged SO years. a resi-
dent Of 20 Prospect street, and we'll
known in town, was struck by the pas
senger train known as No. GAS, due to
arrive at Webster from Worcester at
LBS o'clock, and instantly killed.
Bell commenced to work for Road
Commissioner James Dugan three
weeks ago, and was a man that Mr.
Dugan considered good workman
Bell and a number of others were en-
gagged at work at the gravel pit in
North Webster After dinner he had
set out with common wooden pail to
secure drinking water for the work.
men.
In returning, he started to cross the
tracks at the crossing just between the
houses of Dexter F. Gleason and
James A. Crawford. A number of lit
tie girls who were near by, realized the
danger of such a rash act almost in
the face of the train, and they shouted
to Bell to stop, but he did not heeC
them.
Hardly had he stepped upon the track
before the train was upon him.
The engine struck and violently threw
him to one side. The train was stopped
as soon as possible, and the victim vas
picked up and placed on stretcher in
the baggage car and brought to the
Webster station. He was probably
dead before the train had come to a
standstill.
~ 1t
orders when the fatal accident oc
Cured. He was not an eye witness, but
was on the scene a minute later He
hurriedly drove down town, and in
formed Maurice P. Glare, chairman Of
the board of selectmen, who gave or
ders that the body could be removed.
Mr.. Dugan then. drove to Bates shoe
factory, where John Bell; brother of
the dead man, worked, and returned
with him to the depot.
By this time the news had spread,
and hundreds floeked around the sta
ton, all trying to secure a glimpse Of
the dead man. AS the man was dead
y beyond doubt, it was not necessary to
call q physician.
The Spy man made a hasty examina-
ton of the body, which showed that
the right arm was broken and the
right leg fractured in two places. The
trunk of the body was bruised~a good
deal, but there were not any deep con-
tusions. There was a slight cut on the
back of the head. The clothing was
torn and covered with dirt. The actual
and direct cause of his death was
bad injury to the side.
The train that caused Bells death is
known as GAS among trainmen. G. w.
Cruickshank was the conductor in
charge, while Burt Holmes was the
engineer. What is peculiar about the
accident is that today is Mr.. Cruick-
shanks first run as passenger con-
duotor, and he has been running this
division for some time on freights.
william Bell was born in Ireland a
half century ago. About 80 years ago he
left his native land and came to Web
ster, and has since resided here. He
was considered q good workman. He
leaves a mother, Mrs. James Bell of
South Village, q wife, three children,
two brothers and two sisters
The brothers are John and George,
both of Webster. The sisters are Mrs.
Maria Tice of Prospect street and Miss
Fannie Bell, who lives with her moth
er in South village. The children are
George w. Bell of New York state,
formerly of Leominster, who married
the oldest daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
James Cocks; James Bell of Harris
VILE, r. l., and Mrs. Albert Musgrave
OF UIlCd, IN. /. he DOQy vas ISAlONCQ
to the undertaking rooms of Coleburn
by orders Of Medical Examiner Brad
ford Of southbridge, where the funeral
will be held.
The other accident was still sadder
on account of the victim being a mere
lad and that the blow has sent his
father insane. Like in the first ac
cident, 1t was the victims own fault.
A freight train partially made up
was standing In the yard at Daniel
son, Conn, when Cecil, the IL years old
son Of VIM Brown, who runs the llv-
ery connected with the Sprague House,
came along whistling in boyish,
cheerful manner, the thought not once
entering his mind that he would soon
be cold in death.
The freight hindered him from cross
ing and as he was in a hurry he did
not wait to walk down to the end OF
. the train and around, but started to
climb between the cars. The switcher
that was making up the train just then
Came down the tracks and backed into
the train, sending the cars together
with a crash. The boy was pinned be-
tween the cars and crushed.
He was quickly extricated and med
ical aid summoned, and with tender
hands he was placed in q more COM
Portable position. The doctors efforts
moved futile as internal injuries were