History of Gardner, Massachusetts/Casualties
Casualties.
In 1802, Seth Heywood was found dead by the road-side, between Leominster and Westminster; he had been to assist a man in driving some cattle, and, in returning home, it is supposed, he felt unwell and stepped out of the road and died. He was a young man, dearly beloved and greatly lamented by his friends. His age was 25.
In 1818, David Wilder was killed in consequence of a tub of gravel falling on him while he was at work in a well; the tub was drawn up by a windlass; those working at that, turned it so fast, that the tub went over after it was drawn up. His age was 30.
In 1820, Joseph Clark, Jr., died in a fit. His age was 33.
In 1822, William Fenno died in consequence of falling from his wagon while going down the hill, about a quarter of a mile east of the center of the town, a little below the road to Westminster. On examining the wagon, it was found that the linchpin went but a little way into the axle-tree; it was supposed, on turning around, as one wheel went over a stone, the pin came out, and on going down this hill the wheel came off, causing the accident. He lived two or three days.
In 1826, Jonathan Martin was found dead in his house, being left alone for a little while. Jonathan Bancroft was found dead in a pasture, while on a visit to his son; as he was going from the field to the house, he died, (as was supposed) in a fit. His age was 76.
In 1831, Asahel Brick died in a fit. His age was 47. Harriet, daughter of Abijah Hinds, was drowned in a clay pit. She was 7 years of age.
In 1834, Capt. Ahio Temple died suddenly in his bed. His age was 70.
In 1835, Benjamin Howe fell from a ladder attached to the high beams in the barn; he had nearly reached the top when the ladder swayed, and he fell to the floor, injuring him so badly that he died the third day. His age was 52.
In 1837, Daniel Gates was so injured by the upsetting of his wagon, (near the house of Amos Ray,) that he lived but a few days.
In 1842, Winslow Davis was wounded by falling from his wagon, causing his death in a few days. Amasa Leland was killed by a timber falling upon his head while taking down his barn. His age was 49. Silas, son of George W Davis, while sliding from a hay-mow, came forcibly upon a pitchfork, which entered his body causing his death. He was 10 years of age.
In 1844, Mrs. Joel Cowee died suddenly in her bed. Her age was 54.
In 1845, Horace P., son of David Bickford, was drowned. He was 5 years of age.
In 1851, Andrew Beard was found dead in his bed. His age was 79.
In 1852, a child of George Howe died in a fit. He was 2 years of age.
In 1855, Levi Richardson was found frozen in Mr. Ballou's mill, in the north part of the town. His age was 53. Hubbard Kendall was killed by the falling of a tree. His age was 65. Miss Merriam was found dead in her bed. Her age was 69.
On the night of the 7th of March, 1855, a shocking murder was committed in Gardner. The house of Miss Miriam Kneeland and Mrs. Sarah K. Phinney, was entered, by breaking a window while the occupants were in their beds; the murderer with malice prepense, and without any provocation, maliciously murdered those two innocent persons by striking them on their heads with a cudgel. The instrument used was a chair-post. The murder was not disclosed until the next day evening. This affair so agitated the town, that there was but little business accomplished for a week; there was great exertion used to ascertain the perpetrator of this invidious deed. The Selectmen offered a reward of $500, to any one who would detect and bring to justice the assassin.
A young man by the name of George Stacy was apprehended and tried before a Justice of the Peace in Gardner; the evidence was so much against him, that he was committed for a further hearing before the Supreme Court, at Worcester. The Grand Jury found a bill against him, and the case went to the Trial Jury, but their verdict was not guilty.
Their funeral was attended at the meetinghouse the next Sabbath by a large congregation; Rev. A. Stowell preached a sermon from these words:
"They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided." 2nd Samuel, 1st c., 23d v.
The congregation was so large that part of them repaired to the town hall, where Rev. J. C. Paine preached from the text found in Proverbs, 4th, 27th.
"Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy feet from evil."
The subjects of this murder were daughters of Timothy Kneeland, whose name has been mentioned among the early settlers of Gardner. Miss Kneeland was 85 years of age, and Mrs. Phinney, 75. For a number of years they were the only occupants of the house. They were humble and exemplary Christians.
In 1856, Mrs. Lorenzo Cheney died in consequence of being burnt; a fluid lamp was broken setting fire to her clothes, and burned her so badly that she lived but a few hours. Her age was 48.
In 1857, Hammond Hardy, aged 21, was frozen so that he died. George W. Davis, aged 68, was drowned.
In 1859, a son of Lyman Fenno, four years of age, fell into a shiner-box and being too small to get out alone, was frozen; he was not discovered until death had completed its mission. A son of Mr. Flinn, two years of age, was drowned in a well. A son of John Hyde, four years of age, was drowned.
Small Pox. There were four deaths from small pox in 1854, and two in 1855.
Suicide. There have been seven deaths by suicide within the last fifty years.
Only one resident in town has been known to arrive at the age of one hundred; a man by the name of Chapel, of English birth, died in Gardner, about the year 1820, aged 103.
Since 1830, there have been 782 deaths; 11 between ninety and one hundred; 48 between eighty and ninety; 139 between fifty and eighty; 153 between twenty-five and fifty; 88 between fifteen and twenty-five; 343 under fifteen.