Sad Accident

New Hampshire Sentinel - January 6, 1881 - One of the saddest accidents of we which have known for along time occurred on the Cheshire road last Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death of Mr. Nelson A. Bartlett of this city, a young man universally respected and liked by those who knew him.  Mr. Bartlett was at his post firing the new ten-wheel locomotive “Massachusetts,” recently purchased of the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, which with the help of a “pusher” was drawing the last of the heavy freights which had to be turn that day, up the steep grade between Marlboro’ and Troy. 

When the train had got nearly to the” Gulf Bridge,” and while the powerful engine was exerting the full strength upon the heavy load to which it was attached, the pin which fastens the tender to the engine suddenly gave way.  The engine thus freed from its load, shot ahead with great speed.  Mr. Bartlett was standing partly in the engine and partly in the tender, and as the engine jumped away he was thrown down between the rails and under the advancing train.  The tender and two cars, we believe, passed over him before the train was stopped.  His right arm was crushed near the elbow, and his back was probably injured as he complained of great pain in it while he lived.  He was immediately brought to Keene and his arm amputated.  He only lived a few hours after the operation, although hopes of his recovery were at one time entertained.  He was conscious most of the time during the evening, talking with his friends at intervals.  He passed away quietly about nine o’clock.

One of the saddest circumstances connected with Mr. Bartlett’s death is the fact that his wife had given birth to a child only the night before the accident, and she could not see her husband or even be told of his injuries before his death.  Funeral arrangements were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon.  Mr. Bartlett’s age was twenty-six years.  Besides his wife and the newly born infant, he leaves a child about two years old.