Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-05-21

summoned Jury Of Inquest to examine into
the circumstances of this deplorable calamity.
The following is the list of the Jury. The
Inquest sat in the afternoon at the depot =
Henry Sleek, foreman, Frederick Lockwood,
Z. w. Stuart. L. L. Bebee,
Thomas Warner, J. w. Hubbell,
Charles Mallery, Frederick Bradley,
D Charles Fitch, Dr. j. q. Barber,
Frederick Belden, S. E. Olmstead.
The investigation was commenced at about
O'Clock The following comprises the most
important testimony -
Capt Ira Ford, sworn-Saw the train at
a.litlle after 0 o'clock live near the road ::
stepped on to the fence saw that the ball
was down, draw open, and speed Of the train
not stopped ; tried TO make an alarm, and
thought that either the fireman or engineer
saw him ; the whistle sounded about five
seconds before the train went in think the
speed was not greater than usual for the
train think the engineer did not notice that
the draw was open until when within $50
feet Of the draw one short, loud whistle was
blown at that distance from the draw did
not hear the whistle previously did not hear
the bell rung, and il it rang, did not notice it
estimated their speed at 20 miles per hour
would not say it was neglect on the part of
the engineer do not know the engineer; the
bridge was completely open at the time of
the accident thinks the train could be stop
ped between the depot and the bridge it
takes about two minutes to unkey anu open
the draw, and from three to four minutes to
lower the ball and open the draw it is about
a half of mile from the depot to where the
signal can be seen; two sounds OF the whistle
are the signal for breaking there was out
one sound OF the whistle, sharp and short.
Mr.. Hdrford, sworn-ls in charge of the
draw bridge the signal had been down tf-
teen minutes, and the draw was wide open !;
had started 10 shut the draw Capt Blxly,
of the ste amer, called out to me to open the
draw lowered the ball and laid it on the
bridge did not hear the train coming, and
was just closing the draw ; the ball con-
tined down after the steamboat was
through wanted to get "A sail boat with two
persons through before the train passed the
Il ain was due, and Two or three minutes be-
hind when the boat passed, but he did no;
hear the trains his orders from the Compa-
ny were to give the boats the pref renee /;
did not hear the whistle sound an alarm, but
the whistle to break up was given Just before
the train went on to the bridge was looking
at the train when 1t reached the tower the
whistle to break up was just before the train
reached the tower was SO much excited
that cannot tell whether the train was run
ming faster than usual or not was little
alarmed about myself to lower the signal
and gel ready ~ start the bridge takes a
minute and half; if hear the train coming
| do not open the bridge for the boat the
boats do not ask it to be done think the
depth Of the water from 8 to 10 feet the
depth OF mud, he has been informed, is %
feet did not hear the train at all saw the
train bt fore heard it Mr.. Sanborn, Road
Master, gives me my instructions witness
has been on the road a year has no printed
instructions relative to the opening of :he
draw for boats he has a time table he
sometimes has detained vessels little for the
train the ball was down yesterday before
the train came to the point where the ball
could be seen the ball was down. he should
Judge, ii to Is minutes did not look at hi;
watch. but as near as he can Judge it was
that length Of time saw a man Jump of tn,
train on the north side thinks he was the
fireman he jumped off Just before the trail
went on the bridge.
The Engineer was the next person exam
med. He was visited for the purpose by th'
Jury of inquest, at his room, opposite the De
pot Owing TO the smallness OF she room, tn
reporters could not be admitted. The evi
dence OF this witness is. therefore, taken iron
the minutes Of the Clerk Of the Jury.
Edward W. Tucker, Engineer, examines
Has been on this road (lhs time) abou
two months received my Instructions fron
printed time card from Mr.. Simonds th
train was running at the rate Of about l
miles per hour whistled for the brakes t
be applied Just the other side of the bridge
where we first see the signal, and am cerlai
that saw the ball in its place cannot b
) deceived; did not look out Of the window
e but put my head entirely out SO as not 20 b
= deceived; can see thu signal Just before ge
. ting to the bridge that crosses the highway
alter getting through the bridge the sign
!. goes out of sight; don't think there is anythin
' | could have mistaken for the signal; am ju
j, so certain that | saw the signal up as al
: that am alive at present; have no direction
4 to look for any other signals to indicate tn.
n the draw is up or down; sounded the whist
e the moment | saw the draw was open, an
e reversed the engine; think the brakes was n,
= applied; il they had been think the ira
0 might have been stopped as the engine is
G powerful one the engine might have gone
S and the breaks would have been strong enoug
d to have parted the couplings of the cars; ha
: no directions from the conductor; was behir
r time about eight minutes; never read the p
!. pers while driving the engine; never trust
the fremcn don't know il there was any o!