PARIS PAST

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

Fortunately, there was no outbreak of fire, an electric stove being used, thus preventing such a possible contingency.

The two unknown commercial men were the first to tear themselves out of the dangerous fix which they probably did through one of the broken windows. They quickly ran to the farm of Mr. Samuel Foulds. not far from the scene and telephoned from there to Paris for assistance. In the meantime, there was a great deal of excitement at the scene of the overturned car The women were in a state of frenzy, and the men were perturbed, but withal however the first to climb out. began strenuously to release the other passengers from the car. At 8:40 Drs Lovett and Dunton of Paris and Mrs. (Dr.) Lovett, a trained nurse, arrived on the scene. Beacom had not at that time been taken out. The women and children and those more or less injured, were quickly taken to the Foulds farm where there wants were attended to. The men had up to that time worked like Trojans and the worst was over by 9 O'clock By 10 O’clock all the passengers, with the exception of J. S. Buckwell, of Boston, and Conductor Beacon were on their way to the City. Mr. Buckwell sustained three broken 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.

The Grand Valley officials were on the scene early and did everything possible top relieve the situation and attend to the wants of those suffering The predicament was a nasty one, and with the extreme cold and the shock following the accident, the experience was by no means of a pleasant nature. The outcome was a fortunate one in all aspects.

Heartfelt thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Foulds, Mrs. (Dr.) Lovett, and Drs. Lovett and Dunton, the Grand Valley Officials and the commercial travelers are due for the utmost and sincere assistance given. Their efforts were untiring and well-directed, minimizing what could have been a bad affair to the greatest extent in terms of seriousness.

A thorough examination of the car by the Grand Valley men, particularly the rear truck and wheels that left the track, revealed no damage. There were no spread rails, no broken flanges, and everything was in good condition. The wheels simply slipped off the rails and continued alongside the track until the bridge was reached

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There, the coach became unbalanced, the front part raised from the truck, and the whole tumbled into the valley with a crash. Considering the distance the car fell, the injuries could have been much worse. It is extremely fortunate that no fatalities are recorded

The wrecked car is still lying upside down where it fell. The company will reopen the service as quickly as possible. However, at present, as an official stated this morning, their primary concern is the welfare of those involved in the accident and that is the main concern at the moment

Dr. Marquis, at the request of the Grand Valley Company, left this morning to attend to the injuries of Messrs. Beacom and Buckwell transferring them to the city.