Somerville's Worst Day

James Darcey was a down-on-his-luck veteran, getting by doing odd jobs around Somerville. It was at William Smith's house on High Street, while cleaning the well, that the rope he was suspended from snapped and he fell twenty feet, shattering his left leg above the ankle.

11 July 1880, New York Times

Two men managed to get another rope down to Mr. Darcey, which he fastened about himself. He was hauled up and taken immediately to Dr. Hunt, who administered morphine, but could not set the bone. Dr. Hunt suggested they try the poor-house - but the overseer was not in, and no one present was able to make out a permit to have Mr. Darcey admitted.

They next tried the jail - but since no crime had been committed, the Sheriff declined to admit him. Mr. Darcey, being a Roman Catholic, begged to be taken to the Catholic hospital in Newark. The money was raised for the train fare. but no one was willing to go with him, and Dr. Hunt discouraged such a long trip.

One of the town councilmen tried to get Mr. Darcey into a hotel, but the proprietor refused him because he was "only a tramp".

Five hours had passed since the accident, and James Darcey was in great pain. He was finally admitted to the poor-house, where the limb was set. But the incredible heat of that July day, combined with the exhaustion and delay in treatment, was too much for him, and he died two days later. He was just 50 years old.

The Irish Brigade

By the way, if you haven't figured it out, this incident occurred in July 1880. Mr. Darcey was a Civil War veteran who had been wounded in a charge of the Irish Brigade at Chancellorsville.

The citizens of Somerville were justly embarrassed at the treatment he was given, calling it inhuman. According to the New York Times, the Catholics of Raritan arranged for his burial in their town.