Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-24
PLACING RESPONSIBILITY.
Freight Crew Rushing Cattle TO Boston
When MniI Wn. struck.


st. Adams, Jan. 2O-The probable
responsibility for the head-on collision
at South Royalton Friday afternoon
appears to rest with the freight which
was running extra and did not keep
out of the way Of the northbound pas
senger. The mail train. No r, left
South Royalton exactly on time while
the cattle train had only II minutes
when 1t passed Bethel to get to South
Royalton and take the switch, whereas
at least IL minutes should have been
allowed. II appears the freight lost
some time after leaving Roxbury
which was enough to cause the col
lision.
Tho report that the mail train left
South Royalton ahead of time IS
denied and it is further stated that
the time shown between Sharon and
South Royalton would not have per-
mitted the mail train to hafe left there
before 2:30, the scheduled time of de-
parture.
The latter had proceeded q half-mile
out OF the South Royalton yard when
It encountered the freight loaded with
cattle from the West which We're be-
ing rushed to Boston to be shipped to
England. Most OF the stock was of
fancy breed and many were killed. The
trains met on q curve and Engineer John
Holland of the mail, being on the out
side OF the curve, did not see the freight
until he had almost reached It. He threw
on the emergency brakes and at the
Same time pushed his fireman, L. Larsen
through the gangway out on the ground
and followed himself as closely pos
1f-f., a
and he-is now under treatment here Mr..
Holland undoubtedly saved Jarsens HE
as there was not time to tell him TO
Jump.
Engineer Holland was caught by the
running board which was torn off when
the tank crashed into the cab and was
| taken out for dead but revived soon after
| beirS taken to q nearby house.
The head mail clerk, H. P. Arlington,
was thrown about 10 fect, striking
against the edge OF the asserting table
with such force as TO break his right arm
near the shoulder and infict serious in
ternal injuries.
Conductor G. r. Prentiss and Engineer
II, f. Bronson had charge of the freigh
while John ODav was the conductor of
the mail.
Engine No e12. the passenger locon1o-
| tive. was IN tho wreck Of tho New Eng
! land States limited at Bolton last yea
and also In another accident at Essex
Junction.
RAILROAD COMMISSION ON HAND.
South Royalton. Jan. 2O.-The State
board Of railroad commissioners got their
evidence concerning the head-on collision
| here n hand T--i,1o,. tb.,, ,,-ax.
at Montpelier Junction when word Of
the accident reached them. At the sug-
gestion of Commissioner Jackson Of Barre
the board proceeded to South Royalton,
to see the wreck before It was cleare
away.
1t is reported that the crew of the
freight train, knowing they were TAX
ing a chance IN reaching here before
tho mail pulled out, were on the lookout
and were thus able to jump with great
er safety than the men on the mail. who
supposed they had a clear track ahead.
No meeting orders We're issued but Il
was the duty of the freight to keep out
OF the way as It was running extra.
The injured cattle were not released
from the cars until action by the deputy
sheriff compelled tho men to act The
streets were filled with injured animals
a handsome steer with a broken leg being
an object of universal pity till finally
put out 81 his misery or the track
where he persisted in remaining
Reports to-day on the condition OF
Engineer Holland and Mail Clerk Arm
ington say that both are favorable and
the recovery Of Arlington. the more
seriously injured, is expected.
i