Biddeford, ME Train-Sleigh Wreck, Mar 1870

Fatal Railroad Accident at Saco, Maine.

SACO, Me., March 12. As the 12 o'clock train from Boston for Portland was passing a crossing in this city this afternoon the engine struck a sleigh containing J. J. Sawyer of Buxton, Oliver Tracy, agent of the West Buxton Woolen Mills, and H. Partridge of Saco. Partridge escaped unhurt, but Tracy was killed almost instantly and Sawyer was fatally injured.

SACO, Me., March 12. Mr. John J. Sawyer, the man who was so badly injured by the railroad accident yesterday, died last evening. An inquest will be held tomorrow.

Boston Journal, Boston, MA 14 Mar 1870

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March 14th, Oliver Tracy, the proprietor of woollen mills at West Buxton, and a gentleman of respectability, with Mr. John Sawyer of the same town, and Mr. H. Partridge of Saco, attempted to cross the track of the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth road, at the crossing east of the station at Biddeford, in a sleigh drawn by two horses. They saw the train approaching about fifty feet off. The horse succeeded in getting over the track, but the sleigh was hit, and Mr. Tracy was instantly killed, and Mr. Sawyer considerably injured. No blame can be attached to the employes[sic] upon the train.

Annual Report of the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Maine By Maine for the Year 1870, page 23

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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!