The following is text from an Aug. 10, 1888 article published in the Natick Bulletin after two women were tragically hit and killed by a passing train in Natick:

One of the most shocking accidents that ever happened in Natick was that of yesterday afternoon on the Saxonville branch of the Boston & Albany railroad, and by which two young ladies lost their lives. The Saxonville train is due at this station at 3.35, and had left Cochituate and was running at full speed, when near Patrick Sweeney's the engineer, Seth Ellis, noticed two ladies walking between the rails on their way to Natick, carrying a single parasol spread over both their heads.

The whistles were blown, and taking no notice, it was blown a second time and steam reversed. Parties who were working near the meadows waved their hands and shouted, but neither observed the signals of warning, and the engine struck them, throwing them each side of the track.

The train came to a standstill within a short distance of the accident, and the employees picked up the bodies and conveyed them to the baggage car, and Dr. Manuel, who was on his way to Cochituate, was summoned to their assistance, but found that life was extinct, death having been almost instantaneous.

The bodies were conveyed to the Natick station, where  they were recognized as Ellen and Mary Meagher, sisters, who have been employed as domestics in the families of Natick. The injuries of Ellen, the oldest, were found to be a fracture of the skull, almost identical to that of her sister, and injury to limbs and ribs. The result of the examination shows that death must have been instantaneous. The girls are well known in the town, being always seen together. Ellen was about 30 years of age, and her sister is 27.

The latter was employed in the family of Frank Healy until within two weeks, and her sister at the boarding house or Tymon Mitchell. Both were at the time out of employment, and were stopping in Felchville at the Ocean House, and were on their way to Natick to make a visit.

They have no near relatives in this town, and only an aunt in this country, who resides in Gardner, and whom they were intending to visit next week. They leave a sister and two brothers in the old country.

No blame is attached to the engineer, as he did all within his power to warn them of danger, the whistling attracting the attention of people not only in the immediate vicinity, but also in the village.

Medical Examiner Hobbs was summoned and viewed the remains, when they were given in charge of Undertaker Everett.

 

The article is a part of the Morse Institute Library collection.