"For over an hour that train laid here, the poor emigrants, seeking for water at every point not daring to leave the cars for fear of being left-the wells in the vicinity of our office only two, were energetically pumped for an hour-one of them by a woman, to give the suffering men, women and children water.
"The sick man died, a Mormon elder, formerly from Illinois. Some $18 was contributed by the emigrants and the bodies left for burial. The husband of the sick woman begged the Conductor to give him his baggage and let him take his wife and five children off the train. He heartlessly refused and the train passed on. The woman died soon after and the body was left at St. Johnsville (about 12 miles from Fonda).
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| Final Spot. Aaron and Michelle Clark pose at the main intersection on the railroad tracks in Fonda, New York– where Ezra James Clark died. Aaron is four generations removed from the deceased missionary. |
"The management of the Railroad should take cognizance of these things. This is not an exceptional case only as far as the deaths are concerned. Every emigrant train on this road is run on the same principle. No care–no water– no accommodation. It is high time these things were remedied. Civilization, Humanity, Christianity and Justice demands that better care and accommodations should be provided all passengers on railroads especially an abundant supply of water in every car in hot weather. We believe an indictment could be obtained against that conductor for the death of that woman."
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