A Pleasure Party Run Into by a Train At Latham's Corners on the
New Berlin Branch of the Ontario & Western Railroad
December 31, 1898
A covered grocery wagon, containing seven young people from Mt. Upton on their way to New Berlin, to pass the last evening of the old year, was run into by the evening train north, on the New Berlin Branch, at Latham's Corners, about 8:30, Saturday evening. The horse was killed instantly, the wagon smashed and all the occupants injured, two of them seriously.
The injured were picked up and taken back to Mt. Upton by the train, where they were attended by Drs. Palmatier and Sarles. They were: Ray Chamberlain, who sustained a depressed fracture of the skull, and severe bruises about the head and shoulders; Susie Thomas, who sustained a fracture of the pelvis and severe lacerations about the hips; William Wadsworth, who sustained scalp wounds and bruises about the hips and shoulders; Nellie Sliter, who sustained severe bruises all over the body; Edgar Bass, who sustained a severe contusion of the arm and was generally bruised; Lida Rockwell, who sustained a sprained knee and was bruised about the hips; Robert Truesdell, who had a badly sprained ankle and other less serious injuries.
When the extent of the injuries were ascertained, Drs. Brooks and Phelps were sent for from this village. The message was received here shortly after midnight and the physicians responded at once.
Operations were performed upon Ray Chamberlain and Susie Thomas, who were the only ones in the party sustaining serious injuries. Dr. Brooks performed the operations, assisted by Dr. Phelps. Dr. Palmatier assisted in the operation on Miss Thomas and Dr. Sarles in the operation on Ray Chamberlain. Both of these patients are in a critical condition, but the chances are in favor of their recovery.
The crossing where the accident happened is about two miles from Mt Upton. The railroad and carriage road run nearly parallel for a considerable distance, the track crossing the road at a sharp angle. The team and the train were both coming from Mt Upton. The young people, with the exception of the driver, were inside the covered wagon and were singing and having a jolly time. It was severely cold and the creaking of the wheels on the snow and the noise of the young people, prevented the driver from hearing the train or the blasts of warning from the whistle, which were blown by the engineer when he saw the team. The horse was well out of the track when the engine approached. It was thrown a distance of thirty feet and instantly killed. The wagon was drawn some distance and the occupants thrown out along the track, fortunately none of them being thrown under the train.
The young people are of the best families of Mt. Upton and vicinity and the community is in gloom because of the accident.
Another Account
Our Mt. Upton correspondent writes: New Year's morning was a sad one for Mt. Upton. Many who had slept quietly through the night, were saddened by the tidings that many homes were in great sorrow.
A party of seven of our best young people, in a close covered wagon, was struck by the O.&W. train at Latham's crossing on new Year's Eve, and not one escaped without severe injuries. The horse was killed, the wagon demolished and Ray Chamberlain, the driver, taken up for dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hamilton gave all possible aid to the sufferers and Mr. Eugene Doolittle arrived at the scene in time to assist in placing them in the car which was backed down to Mt. Upton.
Dr. Brooks and Phelps of Norwich, Dr. Sweet of South Edmeston, and Drs. Palmatier, Sarle, and Ford of Mt. Upton administered to the wounded. They were: Ray Chamberlain, skull fractured, trephined by Brooks and Phelps; Susie Thomas, internal injuries, very serious, operation performed; Lila Rockwell, broken leg; Hobart Truesdell, ankle injured; Nellie Sliter, spasms from shock; William Wadsworth and Edgar Bass, badly injured, but extent undetermined.
Close sheltered from the driving storm, one observed: "We'll reach White Store before the train passes," when, like a shock of dynamite the crash came. Will Wadsworth's dog, which had followed unknown to the master, was licking the blood from his face, as he lay in the barbed wire fence. 'I'm all right!" Will cried, but when he attempted to walk he sank down. The dog reached home before the wounded, acting very strangely, and when the boys were brought in ran from one to the other with almost human sympathy.
This morning January 2, all are living and Ray Chamberlain has spoken. A New Year's gathering was at Charles Brook's where Susie Thomas was borne, yet every attention was give to the sufferer.
"Can you go back to Mt. Upton with the wounded," one asked. "I shall go" and he and the train hands did all in their power to help the sufferers. No such day of gloom ever fell on Mt. Upton as Jaunary 1, 1899.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Mt. Upton Accident
Condition of the Young People - How Accident Happened
Bainbridge Republican, January 11, 1899
The young people injured at Mt. Upton last week at the railroad crossing accident are improving excepting Miss Susie Thomas whose recovery is considered doubtful. Raymond Chamberlain, whose skull was reported fractured will survive his severe injury. Chamberlain was driving at the time of the accident and was thrown seventy-five feet. The Oxford Times gives the following explanation: "A blizzard prevailed at the time and neither the occupants of the wagon nor the engineer of the train could distinguish objects very far away. The first intimation the engineer had of the collision was a blow from a spoke of one of the wheels which entered the cab window, striking him in the face and making a severe wound. The horse was thrown to the left entirely over the fence and instantly killed, there not being left a vestige of the harness on him. With the exception of one side of the wagon body farthest from the engine, the remains of the vehicle could be gathered up in baskets.
No comments:
Post a Comment