Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-27
Trolley Gar in
 Naugatuck River
PLUNGED DOWN BANK, CRASH.
 ING THROUGH ICE.
FIVE PASSENGERS ESCAPED
Conductor and Motorman, in Enclosed Forward vestibuIe, Were Drowned, Without Chance of Escape.

Seymour, Conn, Dec. 26.-A trolley car jumped switch on the route alongside of the Naugatuck river, a mile above this place, during today's storm, and. plunging down the bank, crashed through the ice, Motorman Fred Beard and Conductor Marcus Donovan, who were in the enclosed forward vestibule, being drowned. The i've passengers crawled out of the rear door. which protruded above the water and escaped with only slight injuries.
 Passengers Greatly Shocked.
 The passengers were Miss Alviida Peterson of Waterbury, MT. and Mrs. Charles Madison of Beacon Falls and two men who did not give their names. One was an Italian. These passengers were greatly shocked by the experi- ence and, dripping wet, they made their way up the bank and went to the home of John Fritz, near by, where dry clothes were furnished them. Later in the day they left for their homse.
 Charles Madison is superintendent of tained by the Connecticut company to furnish power for the trolley line be- tween Seymour and Naugatuck. He was accompanied by his wife and her sister, Miss Alvilda Peterson, of 41s West Main street Waterbury.
 Effort to Recover the Bodies.
 As soon as the storm would permit a wrecking crew went to the scene of the accident and an effort was made to raise the trolley in order to take out the bodies of the men who had died without the chance of escape.
 EmbanIoment Forty Feet High.
 The car was No. 2S6, southbound from Waterbury for this town, and &C., cording to the passengers 1t was not running very fast. The wind was bowling over the river and the snow filled the air. Conductor Donovan had gone into the motornlan's vestibule probably to help the motorman fin keeping lookout. This is the pre- sumption of those who saw him 20 into the vestibule. At the point where the trolley was derailed there is a turnout and then a curve. This ia nearly opposite what is known as the Duck farm, a place used for breeding ducks, and so called by the trolleymen as means of Identification. The. track Is laid on the embankment of the river. some six feet back from the edge. The is about forty feet high.
 Car Jumped the Frog.
 Mtct of the track between Seymour and Beacon Falls is close to the river and the ride to trolley passengers is interesting for this reason as well as Tor the scenery of the Naugatuck val ley. The snow had drifted over some parts of the track but 1t Is said that the rails were clear near the switch. As usual the conductor left the car be- ore the switch was reached to set the | 'lgnal light which protects the turn | put. He then entered the motorman's | 7estibule. An instant later the car | jumped the frog and went over the | bank. As the forward end of the car | vent crashing through the river Ice. l he passengers clinging to the seats | which had gone to another angle, tried | Q drag themselves towards the rear ioor. having thoughts of the nature of | ne accident. The car rested on the | sottoms with the rear quarter protrud | ng through the ice. With great diffi- | 'ufy the five passengers, assisting 'ach other, made their exit from the ear vestibule and reached the bank. | All were dripping wet Realizing that lothing could be done to reach the imprisoned motorman and conductor. hey made their way to the house of dr' Fritz, where they were cared for.
 Coroner Mix Notified.
 Motorman Beard was married and ged about 50. He was married but had 10 children. Conductor Donovan lived n Ansonia, was about 30 and single. IS soon as possible after the accident Vord was sent for assistance and rev with a car went to the turnout make an effort to reach the car and odies. Coroner Mix at New Haven Tas also notified.
 One of the passengers. an Italian. 7as seen here. He could not sneak luch English. but said that he was ot nurt much and got wet only to his