The Dodge Family Association

FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR EAST FAIRFIELD
August 5,1888
In the Matter of the Fatal Accident to RICHARD R. DODGE, on the St.
Johnsbury and Lake
Champlain Railroad, near East Fairfield, August 5, 1888.

RICHARD R. DODGE of Cambridge, who was a brakeman on the stock train from Swanton to St. Johnsbury, on the night of August 5, was run over and killed near East Fairfield. The testimony shows that Dodge was the forward brakeman of the stock train, and that soon after leaving Fairfield station he left the saloon car to go ahead so as to get ready to do some shifting at East Fairfield, the next station, which was the last that was seen of him alive. Upon arriving at East Fairfield he was missed and search being made, he was found dead upon the track some distance west of the station, his body being badly mangled.

At the point where his body was found the train which was on time, was running at the rate of about 12 miles per hour, on an up grade. It was very foggy on the night of the accident and it was the second trip which Dodge had made on this train. The train was being operated in a proper manner, and an inspection of the cars showed the brakes on all the same were in good order.

The Board is unable to obtain any evidence showing the exact cause of the accident and can only draw the conclusion that it was the result of some carelessness or misadventure on the part of the deceased.

By the Board,
Alfred E. Watson, Clerk