Connecticut western news., 1900-08-23
PATRICK FITZGERALD KILLED.
On The GIN F.. Railway.

On The c. N. F.. Railway.
 A very sad accident occurred in this village last Saturday afternoon whereby Mir Patrick Fitzgerald, s farmer, in stantly lost his life. Mir Fitzgerald's farm is about one mile east of Union depot. Just before 8 p. m. MT Fitzger aid started to walk to this village. His house is situated on the south side of the Central New England railway and a driveway leads from the house across the track to the highway at the top of Bennett's hill. Instead of following the driveway Mir Fitzgerald followed the shorter route. which Is a foot path across the field to the east entrance Of the railway cut at the top of the hill, intending to enter the highway at the Bennett Hill crossing, so called. He had passed about half way through the rock cut when the passenger train from Hartford. due at Canaan at 2,47 p m, entered the cut. MT Fitzgerald step- ped aside to let the train pass. After the entire train, as be supposed. had passed he stepped upon the track again. But the train was making 8 flying switch md the rear passenger car was following about two car lengths behind the rest of the train. This rear car struck Mir Fitzgerald m the back. threw him down between the rails, and passed over his body, the brakebesm crushing him to death while the right leg from the ankle to the knee was msngled by the wheels of the car. Mir Ftzgersld's death was instantaneous. W. J. Oliver was the brakeman on the car, and he says he did not see Mr Fitzgerald until the car struck him. Both sections of the train wore running at a rapid rate because the train was behind time. The train was in charge of Conductor Shook and Engineer Savage. When the train reached the station the fact was report ed that man had been killed at Ben- nett Hill, but none of the trsinmen knew who the unfortunate man was A number from the village went to the scene of the accident, and at last Daniel Sweeney identified the body. The body was left on the track for an hour or more until Medical Examiner Camp could be found to view it and give per mission to remove it to the late resi- dence of the deceased. A telegram was immediately sent to Mir Fitzgerald's son and daughter, John and Lizzie, at Valley, Nebraska, and they arrived in Canaan at g. 30 o'clock Monday morn ing.
 An examination of Mir Fitzgerald's rsmains showed that the spine was broken in two places, the head crushed. the right leg mangled and cuts and bruises ou different parts of the body.
 Patrick Fitzgerald was an industrious and frugal man and although he had met with many losses and reverses he had accumulated snug little property. He was born in Ireland, March, IT, 1882 and early in life came to America, and had lived in this town fifty years. Before the Connecticut Western Railroad was built he owned a number of teams and drew ore from Salisbury and Amenis. to the furnaces in East Canaan. Twenty nine years ago he bought the farm which he has since occupied. and at different times he erected all the buildings which stand on that farm. He was a good manager and brought the farm up to a high state of cultiva- ton. Bis advice was often sought, and he had served two terms as one of the selectmen of this town. He is survived by wife, three sons and two daughters, John of Valley, Neb., James and Ed ward of Canaan. Miss Lizzie Fitzgerald and Mrs William O'Brien of Canaan. He leaves also number of grsndchil- dren.
 The funeral of Mir Fitzgerald was held at St. Joseph's church on Tuesday at 10 &. m. High Mass was celebrated by Rev Fra Ramon. The interment was in the Catholic cemetery north of this village. The bearers were Patrick Egan, Thomas Butler, Patrick Riley, Morris Horsn. Daniel Keefe, John Kane. The respect for the deceased was manifested by the fact that one hundred or more teams followed the remains from the church to the ceme- tery.