The Paris Independent
15
January 20, 2024
PA R I S PA S T The cause of the accident was due to the rear truck leaving the tracks a distance of about 20 or 30 feet before the bridge was reached. There was a guard rail along the tracks at this point, and the car proceeded that distance with one entire truck and wheels out of place. This must have arrested its progress considerably, and when the coach began its passage over the structure, it must have been moving very slowly. The cause of the truck being derailed can only be figured out by the Grand Valley officials as being due to the amount of snow on the tracks at that point. On the bridge, the front of the car seemed to be raised up, and the kingpin pulled from the front trucks. This truck was left standing on the bridge when the car went over. According to exact measurements made, the front part of the car containing Conductor Beacom and those in the smoker fell a distance of 12 feet, while the other end, which was near the stone abutments, went over a distance of 7 or 10 feet. The car was badly smashed, and the roof was partially torn off in the fall. Broken glass was strewn everywhere, and many of the passengers received cuts from this source. The exact time of the accident was at 7:40. Conductor Beacom, who was encased in the narrow front vestibule, was, as a result of his position, the most seriously injured of those in the wreck. The exact
nature of his injuries is not yet known; however, he was one of the last to be taken from the remains and was removed by tearing the roof of the car away.
ribs. and was injured internally. The extent of Beacom’s injuries were not entirely known, and the two Injured men were kept at the Fould’s farmhouse during the night.
Fortunately, there was no outbreak of fire, an electric stove being The Grand Valley officials were on used, thus preventing such a the scene early and did everything possible contingency. possible top relieve the situation and attend to the wants of those The two unknown commercial men suffering. The predicament was a were the first to tear themselves nasty one, and with the extreme out of the dangerous fix which they cold and the shock following the probably did through one of the accident, the experience was by no broken windows. They quickly ran means of a pleasant nature. The to the farm of Mr. Samuel Foulds. outcome was a fortunate one in all not far from the scene and aspects. telephoned from there to Paris for assistance. In the meantime, there Heartfelt thanks to Mr. and Mrs. was a great deal of excitement at Foulds, Mrs. (Dr.) Lovett, and Drs. the scene of the overturned car. Lovett and Dunton, the Grand The women were in a state of Valley Officials and the frenzy, and the men were commercial travelers are due for perturbed, but withal however the the utmost and sincere assistance first to climb out. began given. Their efforts were untiring strenuously to release the other and well-directed, minimizing passengers from the car. At 8:40 what could have been a bad affair Drs. Lovett and Dunton of Paris to the greatest extent in terms of and Mrs. (Dr.) Lovett, a trained seriousness. nurse, arrived on the scene. Beacom had not at that time been A thorough examination of the car taken out. The women and children by the Grand Valley men, and those more or less injured, particularly the rear truck and were quickly taken to the Foulds wheels that left the track, revealed farm where there wants were no damage. There were no spread attended to. The men had up to that rails, no broken flanges, and time worked like Trojans and the everything was in good condition. worst was over by 9 O'clock. By The wheels simply slipped off the 10 O’clock all the passengers, with rails and continued alongside the the exception of J. S. Buckwell, of track until the bridge was reached Boston, and Conductor Beacon were on their way to the City. Mr. Continued on page 16 Buckwell sustained three broken
