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Note: NI302 From The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., July 24, 1940, page 1:
5 in Critical Condition in Crossing Fatality
A train-car crash at the Bailey Baker B. and M. crossing, three miles west of Stillwater yesterday afternoon killed Frederick Viall, 8, son of Line Foreman, Edward Viall, of 357 S. Main St., Mechanicville.
It sent Mrs. Eleanor Viall, 37, and six of the Viall's remaining nine children, and Christian Thrane, 13, of Arnold Ave., Mechanicville, to the Saratoga Hospital.
There the condition of Mrs. Viall and four of the Viall children were reported critical today. The Thrane boy was discharged last night.
Frederick Viall died instantly from a broken neck and fracture skull, according to Arthur W. Johnson, Mechanicville, Saratoga County coroner.
The injured: Mrs. Eleanor Viall, 37 - injuries to the upper jaw and head, chest injuries, badly cut tongue. Condition critical.
Eleanor Viall, 18 - Severe fractured skull, deep cut two inches long left side of forehead, cut through right lower lip, several teeth missing, abrasions right arm and leg. Critical.
John Viall, 13 - Multiple skull fracture. Evelyn Viall, 7 - injuries to the back, legs, neck and bruises and cuts of the forehead and body. Fairly good.
Robert Viall, 5 - fractured skull. Critical. Joan Viall, 3 - Cut on the right cheek, cuts and bruises about the body and legs. Good.
Thomas Viall, 18 months - Possible punctured lungs, other injuries. Critical.
Christian Thrane, 13 - bruises about the body. Discharged.
Enroute to a happy outing at Saratoga Lake, Mrs. Viall was driving the family sedan west, on the road from Stillwater Center to the lake, when it met the locomotive of the 10 car freight train on the crossing. The right front side of the sedan was smashed as it was tossed back into a ditch.
The train crew members were Engineer Samuel Mordick, 91 Oneida Ave., Troy; Fireman Howard A. Gooley, 95 Round Lake Ave., Mechanicville; Conductor Clyde J. Richmond, 146 Second St., Mechanicville; Trainman John J. Eagan, 238 S. Third St., Mechanicville; and Flagman Nathaniel Bass, Hudson Ave., Stillwater.
A call to State Police brought Trooper Joseph Sikora from the Lathams barracks first to the scene, followed closely by Inspector E. O. Hageman, Sgt. F. J. McDowell, Corp. G. F. Hurley, and Troopers Holohean and J. J. Sullivan of the BCI, Sgt. James Rose, Corp. Albert Rasmussen, and Trooper H. J. Burmeister of the Spa Barracks; Sergt. James W. Russell and Trooper W. H. Barfoot of the Troy Barracks, and other from S. Glens Falls.
They worked with Dr. Johnson, who began his investigation at once.
Dr. C. E. Betts, Stillwater, administered first aid, and followed the Burke ambulance, this city, and the DeMarco ambulance, Mechanicville, to the Saratoga Hospital. There Dr. Frederic G. Resseguie was assisted by Dr. Betts, Dr. Frederick G. Eaton, Dr. Richard D. Bullard, Dr. Malcolm J. Macgovern, all of this city, and Dr. John Purcell, Mechanicville.
Mr. Viall, employed by the New York State Electric and Gas Corp., was located at work, drove to the scene, and accompanied his family to the hospital in the ambulance.
There it was learned an immediate blood transfusion was necessary for Mrs. Viall. All of the line crew and office employees of the corporation in Mechanicville went to the hospital at once for blood tests. The blood of Office Manager A. S. King, Viall's superior, and Frank Brown, assistant office manager, matched. They flipped a coin, King donating the blood.
The three remaining Viall children were not in the car. Eileen, 14, was at home; Edward, 15, was swimming; and Mabel, 11, was vacationing in Schenectady. They are now at home, being cared for by Mrs. Viall's sister, Miss Mabel Kenney of Old Forge, and Mrs. Viall's sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Kenney, Cohoes.
The train, one of the few which passes the unguarded crossing, was traveling at about 20 miles an hour, authorities said they were told.
Drs. William VanDoren and G. W. Crissey conducted an autopsy on the dead boy at the funeral parlors to T. L. Cassidy in Mechanicville last night.
Coroner Johnson said today the date for an inquest will depend on the recovery of those in the hospital.
Viall did not want to leave the hospital last night. Finally pursuaded by friends, he refused to enter his home, and only did so after Ralph Spring, local district manager of the New York State Electric and Gas Corp., agreed to stay with him.
Note: Howard A. Gooley's sister, Leona, was married to George Joseph Lesson. Eleanor Viall and Christian J. Thrane were married on May 29, 1948.
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