Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-09
THREE FATAL ACCIDENTS
R. R. Richardson of South Bur
lington Killed by Runaway Team.
j. n. Parkhurst Of winooski Receives
Shock Of Electricity and Joseph
Bombard Of Colchester Dies from
Injuries Sustained in . Fall.

An unfortunate series Of accidents in
South Burlington, Tuesday afternoon at
o'clock. eliminated in the death of Road
Commissioner Robert II. Richardson OF
that town. William Maitland was thrown
from his team in the collision between his
vehicle and that of Warren Hayes and
suffered a broken rib. This collision be-
tween the teams of Messrs. Hayes and
Maitland was preliminary to all that fol-
lowed. Seeing Mr.. Maitland's injured con-
dition. farmer named Russell. who was
returning from Burlington with load of
grain went to Maitland's assistance and
tried to aid him to climb into his wagon.
While thus engaged Russell's horses
which were unattended became frightened
and ran away. Some 30 rods ahead Road
Commissioner Richardson. tried to stop
the frightened animals but was dashed
to the ground, both wheels Of the heavily
loaded wagon ran over his chest, break
ing it In and causing his dealt 10 minutes
later.
Mr.. Russell carries on the Chauncey w.
Brownell farm in South burlington. He
feels deeply grievcd that his horses should
have caused the death of Mr. Richardson.
Robert X. Richardson was born in South
burlington some X years ago and had al
ways resided there He leaves a wife and
one son, aged II years, one brother,
Charles Richardson Of South Burlington,
and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur G. Crane OF
Burlington and Miss Anna Richardson of
New York city.
The dead mans wife and son started
Tuesday morning on tho New York ex
cursion and telegram was sent to them
at Troy calling them home and telling
them of the death of Mr. Richardson.
JOHN II. PARKHURSTS PECULIAR
DEATH.
John II. Parkhurst, senior clerk at the
store of w. T.. Mcbride at the corner Of
Main and Allen streets in Wnooski met n
peculiar death at the store Tuesday.
AT about $50 O'Clock Mr.. Parkhurst and
Mr. Mcbride went to the cellar to close
up for the evening. While there Mr.. Me
Bride called Mr.. Parkhurst's attention to
new incandesccnt light which had just
been connected. While Mr.. McEride's at
tention was drawn to another part of the
cellar he heard Mr.. Parkhurst cry out:
81 am dead | am dead, / am dead"
Turning he SAW Mr.. parkhurst fall with
the electric lamp and about a foot of the
cord in his hand
prs. Hill and Shoehan were called and
quickly arrived and after an examination
pronounced the man dead Two slight
burns were found on Mr.. Parkhurst' 6
right hand one OH the thumb and the
other on the foretinGer. The burns give
rise to the theory that the incandescent
light wires may have been crossed by arc
light wires. as an expert electrician who
was on the spot said there was not
enough voltage in the incandescent light
to prove fatal. Another theory advanced
was that Mr.. Parkhurst died of heart
disease. he having been troubled with
that malady for some time. He had been
absent from the store for two DAYS on ac-
co INT Of illness. but returned yesterday
morning apparently as we'll as usual.
Health Officer T.. A. Burdck and Select
men Frank Carpenter and Frank Big
wood were summoned and had the re-
mains removed to Mr.. Parkhursts home
on Plat street to be propared for burial.
II is not known whether an autopsy
will he held or not that being left to the
discretion of the family. Mr. Parkhurst
was formerly merchant in this village.
but for the past year has been clerking
at the store where he met his death lie
is survived by wife and five children,
Mrs. Simon l.. Platka Of Burlington.
Charles Parkhurst of Chicago. Ill, and
Misses Lillian, Lottie and Irene The flu
neral arrangements have not been com
pleted