WATERFORD BOY
KILLED
AT ST. THOMAS
BOTH LEGS CUT
OFF ABOVE KNEES
Thomas A. Merritt, aged 17
years of this place, was run over by No. 37, M.C.R express at St.
Thomas on Saturday night about 8.30 o'clock and had both legs taken
off. He died about 11 o'clock.
Tom left here on Saturday
night to visit his uncle, Jesse Brazier of St. Thomas. He was found
by a switchman who went to turn a switch.
His body was lying on one
side of the rail and the severed legs on the other side. Tom asked
the switchman if he would please tell him what was the matter with
him. The man told Tom he was severely injured.
Tom then told his name and
where he was from, but would not state how the accident occurred. It
is supposed that he jumped off the train while it going at a good
speed and struck the switch, which knocked him back under the train.
The trains at the point where he was killed run at a rate of about
25 miles an hour.
Both legs were cut off above
the knees and his hip was bruised and head cut. His condition when
he reached the hospital was such that the physicians attempted no
operation.
He remained conscious until
just before his death, but did not appear to be able to remember
anything. All he could tell was his name and where he lived.
A message was received on
Saturday night of the sad news. His uncle, Thomas D. Merritt, took
the first express to St. Thomas, but arrived too late to see him
alive.
The remains were brought to
this place on Monday afternoon and were met at the station by nearly
all the members of the public school, who feel much grieved at the
sudden and sad death of one of their number.
Mrs. Pook of London, Tom's
mother, was telegraphed for and arrived here on Monday, accompanied
by her husband. It was indeed a terrible shock for her and one which
she feels very keenly, he being her only son.
Tom has made his home in this
place with his grandmother, Mrs. Brazier, and his uncle, T. D.
Merritt.
He was a bright boy and well
liked by his schoolmates, was a regular attendant at the Baptist
Sunday School and seemed to take a very active interest in the work.
The funeral was held from the
residence of his uncle on Tuesday afternoon. The services were
conducted in the Baptist church by Rev. Dr. Murdoch, assisted by
Rev. Chas. Deacon, Ph.B., the church being crowded.
The members of the Waterford
Public School marched in a body. It was a service never to be
forgotten by the young people of this place, the accident having
befallen one so young and a friend to all.
Many beautiful flowers were
placed upon the casket, among them a wreath and anchor by the pupils
of the Public School.
The interment took place at
Greenwood Cemetery.
