The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-05
webster. Mass. July stunning at

WepSter MASS, July o.-ftunnlns at
the rate of about 20 miles an hour, car
No. IA OF the Worcester and Webster
street railway collided with car No.
IS of the Webster and Dudley road,
just before o'cock yesterday fore
noon. and tvo persons were killed and
about 40 were injured, of whom. 1t is
thought, three cannot recover.
The accident is attributed to the ac-
tion OF the men in charge of the Wor-
cester and Webster car, i'm running by
the place where they should have
waited for the other. car. and Conduc-
tor William r.. Olney OF Oxford. who
was in charge of the former. has been
arrested. charged with manslaughter.
DEAD AND INJURED.
The dead are:
william Joint. New Boston. Conn.,.
40 years OF age.
Hartwell Robbins, North Grosvenor-
dale, Conn, s years.
Those most seriously injured are:
L. Z. MONT of Oxford, compound
fracture of both ankles and insane.
Mrs. Augustine Rabidoux, South
bridge, head cut and internal hemor-
rhage.
Miss Flora Serron. Southbridge. left
arm broken, large artery in left leg
cut.
SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
The accident occurred at a point op-
rosite the estate of the late w. s. Sla-
ter at East Webster. The cars started
from their respective terminals on
time, the Worcester and Webster car
having on board 104 persons. mostly
employees OF the American Optical
Company at Southbridge. who were
going to Worcester for a days out
ing. The Webster and Dudley car had
gathered only three passengers.
Passing through the scantily settled
district, the motormen are permitted
TO put on top speed, and each car was
under strong headway approaching
the locality In which the accident oc-
'curred.
In each direction there was a down
grade, and the momentum OF the cars
WAS increased as they swept the hill.
and they came together with a ter
rifle crash in the hollow at the bottom.
The Webster and Dudley car. being
lighter. was thrown upward by the
COLLISION to height which just cleared
the floor OF the other car. and 1t
plowed ite way through the crowded
seats. shattering the woodwork and
pilsrg the passengers into heaps on ev-
cry hand.
More than half the people in the Wor-
cester car sustained wounds, and as
soon as those who were not hurt could
extricate themselves from the wreckage
they began the work Of caring for those
less fortunate. DR.. Daniel f. Brown of
Brockton, who was on one Of the cars
was not hurt. and he did valuable work.
In 40 nfh nh
sicians who were summoned from Web
ster.
AID TO THE INJURED.
The work of relief soon disclosed the
fact that those who were hurt had
suffered mainly from broken bones and
bruises. and that among them man
Of about 40 years. who apparently was
fatally hurt. and a lad, who gave very
little sign OF life.
They were found TO be William Joint
Of New Boston. Conn. and the S-year-
old son of Trueman Robbins of North
Grosvenprdale. Conn. Both died soon af-
ter they were removed from the wreck.
AS others were taken out, some were
found 10 be injured about the head:
others had blood flowing from cuts on
various parts of the body.
Mrs Robidoux was bleeding profusely
from cut in the head, while the ejec-
tion Of blood from her mouth indicated
serious internal injuries. Mr.. Moffit OF
Oxford. who had sustained a compound
fracture OF both ankles, was found to
be raving from pain and excitement.
and his condition was pronounced very
serious by the doctors. Miss Flora Ser
ron had lost quantities Of blood from a
severed artery. and II was feared that
she could not survive the shock.
(xA aF
and caring for them was prosecuted
with as much speed as possible, and
meanwhile arrangements were made
with the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad for the transporta-
tion of the injured over the Norwich
and Worcester division TO the worces-
ter Hospital.
Some. however, were able to be taken
TO their homes. IL IL considered re-
markable that the fatalities were so
few, In view OF the speed at which the
cars came together. Both motormen.
although they say that the collision
could not be averted. rrrained at their
posts and the conductors on each car
stayed at their places.
CAUSE OF THE WRECK.
A. soon as the excitement had abatel
slightly. Il was learned that the wor-
ctffer and Webster car should have
waited on side track at East Webster
unt4 the Webster and Dudley car had
passed. Why this was not done. prob
ably viii be determined IN court. AZ H.
authorities OF the road have expressed
the reorganization to investigate the
matter rigidly.
A. soon ae the facts became fully
Known the authorities Of Webster de-
ctfd 10 take action in the matter and
Deputy Sheriff Maurice T Clare was
dispatched 10 place Conductor Oiney ~
the worcester car und q arrest. Mr..
Olney was found suffering from a cut