Tragedy After Tragedy

Samuel Whidden and Sophia Vincent are descendants of the Nova Scotian Vincents thru George Vincent & Mary Higgins.  They had a daughter Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Whidden who married a young fella by the name of James Alvin West.

Initially, it looked like James was going to follow his father into farming, but, perhaps influenced by his brother George, James became a carpenter like him.

Shortly after marrying Elizabeth in 1879 at Great Village, Nova Scotia, the young family headed to Massachusetts to start their new lives.  They went on to have five children: Mabel E, Maud G, Jennie B, Walter A and Hiram E.

Sadly, at the age of 51, Elizabeth died on 26 Nov 1905.  Thankfully, all her children had reached adulthood, but losing a parent is not easy at any age. 

However, tragedy was to strike again and only four months later! 

Lynn Station Postcard 1908

James Alvin West was killed the 31^st of Mar 1906 at the Lynn Central Square Station.  

Truro Daily News - 14 April 1906

FATAL ACCIDENT - James A. West Struck by an Engine At the Central Square Crossing And Lived But Short Time. Accident a Severe Shock to Family and Friends.

James A. West, one of the best known and most highly respected residents of this city was struck and almost instantly killed at the railroad crossing in Central Square about seven o'clock last Saturday evening.  So far as can be ascertained there were no witnesses to the terrible accident, and just how it occurred is not definitely known.  Just after the north bound special had passed the crossing the gate tender heard someone groaning in the darkness and on investigation found Mr. West on the concrete about twenty feet from the crossing still alive, but unconscious.  The alarm was given, the unfortunate man was taken into the station and a physician summoned.  The ambulance was also ordered out, but before it arrived the order was countermanded as Mr. West had passed away, living but a short time after being taken into the station.

The accident was a particularly sad one and came as a shock to the family and friends of the victim who was thus suddenly taken away.  It was all the more sad, since death had but recently visited the home, the wife and mother have died only about four months ago.

The facts leading up to the accident so far as can be ascertained are as follows: Saturday evening shortly before seven o'clock Mr. West prepared to go out to attend to a few matters of business.  Telling his daughter of his intentions he left the house and after calling at a house in the neighborhood where he had business, started for the centre.  This took him across the tracks of the Boston & Maine Railroad at the Central Square station on Lowell Street, where he met his death.

The first published reports of the accident made it appear that there were two trains passing the crossing at about the same time, one north and one south bound, and that he passed behind one and in front of the other.  It has since been ascertained that the trains mentioned met at the Woburn station and that there was but one train, the north bound special passing the crossing at this time.  Owing to the darkness in the vicinity at the time, not only did no one see Mr. West as he came to the crossing, but it is apparent that neither did he see, or if he did, did not realize the speed of the approaching train, and being a very active man accustomed to the movement of trains at this point, attempted to cross the tracks in front of the rapidly approaching train.  Miscalculating its speed, he was unable to get across before it was upon him and he was struck by the cylinder head of the engine and thrown some distance, receiving injuries from which he died a short time later in the station to which he was removed as stated.  His children had been informed of the accident and were with him in a few moments, also his brother, George, who lives in Woburn, but was unable to recognize any of them.

James A. West was born in East Village, Londonderry, Nova Scotia in 1852, and was 53 years, 6 months and 3 days of age.  He was the fourth child of the late Freeman and Catherine West.  He came to Woburn about 20 years ago and was a carpenter by trade.  For the past 18 years he had been employed by the Youths' Companion Company, by whom he was highly respected and esteemed.  He was identified with the Methodist church, being one of its most active and earnest members, and for a number of years, until his resignation a short time ago, pew rent collector and treasurer of the Board of Trustees.  His taking away will be keenly felt by this society. He was a man of the highest moral character and strictest integrity, with high ideals of life, a hard and faithful worker in whatever he undertook, winning the love, esteem and respect, not only of his associates but of the community at large by his straightforward and manly life and deeds.

He leaves three daughters, Mabel, Maud and Jennie, and two sons, Walter and Hiram, and three brothers, George W., Thompson and Cyrus, in Massachusetts, and one sister, Mrs. A.J. Schleich of New York.  Funeral services were held from the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon Rev. Norman E. Richardson officiating, and the interment being at Woodbrook cemetery.  The services were largely attended, and the display of floral tokens was one of the largest ever seen in this city, completely covering the front of the pulpit platform.