The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-07-22
The Bright Young Man Claimed Be Draft Clerk the

night that the crossing is marked by
the usual sign and that the lights OF
an approaching train could easily be
seen.
News of the accident was received
in North Bennington by Mrs. Nattf
son shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday
morning. She was awakened by the
repeated ringing of her telephone bell
and when she finally recognized her
call and arose to answer she was in
formed that her husband had been
| hurt in an accident at JohnsonVille.
I'm order that the shock might not be
too severe she was told that the in
| Jury was not serious. AIRS. NATL
son Immediately dressed and going to
the home of her next door neighbof,
| William Mayhem, awakened the occu-
pants of the house. II required but
a short time for Mr.. Mayhem to
awaken William p. Green, chauffeur
| for eX-Gov. John G Mccullough, who
| lives on the same street, and arrange
for the transportation of himself, Mrs.
Mayhew and Mrs. Madison to Troy.
Mr.. Madison had, however, passed
away several hours before the party
reached the city.
When the arrangements were being
made to take Mr.. and Mrs. Mayhem
and Mrs. Madison to Troy it was al
so planned that they should be ae-
companied by German ID. Madison,
father of the young man who died as
the result of his injuries. The elder
Madison, however through a misun-
derstanding did not make the trip in
the motor car. He took the first cleo
trio car south as far as North Hoosick
land made the remainder of the journey
to Troy in the Hoosick Falls motor
bus.
Mr.. Green returned to North Ben
nington with the automobile leaving
Mr.. and Mrs. Mayhem and Mrs. Mat
tison at the hospital. While at the
hospital he visited the three living
victims of the accident. Papers and
Fay were not in a condition to give
any details of the accident but Young
Mayhey, who had apparently not ex-
perienced any shocking effects was
able to converse freely and seemed
to have the details of the collision
we'll in mind. Young Mayhem told
Mr.. Green that he saw nothing of the
train until the locomotive was directly
upon them and that there was no
blowing of the whistle or ringing Of
the bell.
Young Mayhem told his father that
after he found himself lying against
the fence he first called for Burnie,
then for Papers and, when he received
no response for Phil Fay. Fay who
was in the ditch answered but said
that he did not know where he was.
Mayhem helped Fay to his feet and af-
terward found Papers. BY this time
the train crew was running back TO do
what they could for the victims of the
accident.
All three of the young men in the
hospital stated yesterday that the
whistle of the locomotive did not blow
as the train approaching the crossing.
AT the point where the accident oc-
Cured the track runs at an angle with
the highway and just before reaching
the track there is a small hill which
obscures the track in the direction
from which the train is coming. There
is a heavy down grade on the rail
road and trains running toward Troy
travel through this section without
steam. There was therefore no ex-
haust from the locomotive to warn the
automobile party that the train was
approaching and in addition the
engine of the automobile was unusual
ly noisy. These circumstances, the
hill, the comparatively noiseless
train and the Gathering motor of the
automobile undoubtedly combined tol
bring about the accident.
Several persons from this village
and from North Bennington visited
the scene of the accident yesterday.
Most of those from North Bennington
went by carriage but a number from
this village made the trip by automo-
bile. Outside of the motor the auto
mobile was so completely smashed
that but few of the parts can be used
again. One of the axles and the
wheels were apparently jammed I'M
der the locomotive and carried a dis
lance of over half a mile. Parts of
the machine were strewn along the
track for many yards. II is remark
able that with a portion of the auto
mobile under the running gear of the
locomotive that the train was not de-
rallied. Apparently the automobile
was not half way over the track
when struck by the locomotive for
much of the wreckage was driven
through the fence on this side of the
track. One of Mr.. Mattison's shoes
was picked up beside the track.
Burnie Spencer Mattison was the
youngest living son of German ID.
Madison and was born in North Ben.
nington 2S years ago. From the time
that he left school he had been EN-
ployed, with the exception of brief
periods. by the Stark paper company.
Some three or four years ago he was
appointed superintendent of the
State line mill at SOdom and was
holding that position at the time of
his death. He was an energetic, en-
thusiastic young man of kindly,
generous disposition and large
circle of friends will learn of his I'M
timely death with sincere regret. I
The bereayed family and relatives
will have the heartfelt sympathy Of
the community.
Mr. Madison was united in mar.
riage between seven and eight years
ago TO a daughter Of William c. Hour
an, a Bennington grocer. Two sons.
six and two years of age, other than
the widow survive. The other mem
bers of the family are the father.
Herman ID. Mattison, superintendent
Of the Stark Paper cOmpany's North
Bennington mill. one brother. Harry
Mattison. living at Meadville. Pa.
and four sisters. Mrs. Harrie G
White and Mrs. Fred Warner of