The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-10

never was on more than one train on which the engine
was reversed; apprehended danger when heard the
whistle and knew We were approaching the draw
William Z. worthen sworn, testified fonows-t re-
side In New York; civil engineer; this morning.
got out at Daren apd got the engine to how av
the signal couh be from the draw as the signa
came in sight the engineer called my attention to it, and
noticed the place. then kept my eye upon the signal
until lost sight o. it, then rode beyond the depot till
1t came in sight again. then noted the point ut which
we lost the view of IT. got off the engine went to the
draw. measured by counting the the rails length of each
rail being eighteen feet and found the distance Is fol-
owsI is lS4 lengths Of rail- feet from where the
signal first up to the draw the signal is then
in sight from that point, 1,al4 feet we then lose
sghtof it till to the crossing which is S64 feet
distant from the draw 1t is then in view for distance Of
ITO feet then come in sight of the signal and the
BRIDGE at distance Of 504 feet from the bridge draw
all this was measured by length of rail- the starting
point s 300 feet from the draw at this distance the sig
nal so plain that could not mistake for anything
ese the first object that obscures IL running the 800
feet, is chimney of white house, the rails being wet
makes difficult to stop train think this fact would
have no effect in making train of the track the
signal had been observed at the crsssng he could have
stepped the engine at distance of 800 feet from the
draw If it had been going at the rate Of ten miles the
hour think would be possible after you camein sight
of the draw to stop the train every brake was on
think fifteen miles would be safe of speed turning
the curve have had experience in the running an
engine have been able to Judge the distance at which
train could be stoppsd from experiment. every brakeman
being at his post.
Questioned by Mr.. Whistler, Superintendent Of the
road OIL want to know whether from your OK xperience
after the man had the signal $500 feet from the
draw when 1t first seen that ball could be dropped and
moved out of place. opened before the train
reached It.
EVENING SESSION.
Daniel Hoyt, sworn, says-I live mile south Of tha
pace heard the whistle Of the express train blow on
Friday morning last; it single one; saw they were
going at great speed looked for but could ball.
just before she went over, the whistle blown twice
ttoot-just like that; knew just where to look for
the ball. don't know that they have put up new ball;
they were going faster than usual can't tell at what
rate of speed satisfied in my mind before she
passed, that she was going into the stream.
VIM. H. Seymour, of Norwalk, sworn. says-I have
knowledge who said the conductor had any
knowledge Of the engineer the general the
day Of the accident.
Alfred Chichester, of fNorwalk, sworn, says-Ivs about
twenty Eve thirty feet from the road the curve
should think the train going rather faster than
usual did not hear the whistle before the train to
the depot; heard whistle the bridge, and soon
after that heard the crAsh have them pass the
crossing without ringing the be that morning think
should have heardit; should think the usual rate Of
speed was twenty miles per hour.
Mass Meeting at Norwalk.
PUBLIC FEELING IN REFERENCE TO THE LATE GALA.
MITY-hEMORIAL TO THE LEGISLATURE, ETC.
The citizens of Norwalk and vicinity requested to
meet On the bauk, near the west end of the railroad
ON "' MONDAY AFTERNOON. 80 f'''
sympathies Of the citizens of orwak with the friends and
relatives of the deceased and Of adopting memorial to
in session for srnoent Ia IN nreyant the
Of similar accidents in future
All who feel interest in the safety of the travelling
community requested to attend
Norwalk, May 7, 1853
In accordance with the above netice posted throughout
the city Of Norwalk calling meeting Of the citizens Of
to express their views in relation to the late
railroad calamity and to adopt calculated pre-
vent the occurrence Of similar catastrophies large
Der of persons assembled elevated piece of ground
overlooking the fatal wbrdge There the wrecks Of
the cars srewed upon the bank Of the river and
low water the smoke pipe of the engine and part of the
tender could be above its surace-sient but
pressive witnesses of that recklessness which the
valuable lives of forty -four human beings had been sacr
fced.
The meeting organized by the appointment of Hon.
Stephen Smith Chairman the aSser Of the Presi
dent Hon. Charles Bisse The following Vice Presidents
and Secretaries were then appointed -
Vice Presidents.
Thos. B. Butler, 7. L. Peck,
Asa Smith, Ebenezer HILL
Thos. Robinson, DR.. II. Z. Sammis
Stiles Curtis, W. H. Benedict,
o. 8. Ferry, W. +. Quintard
VIM. S. Lockwood, DR.. John N McIAne,
DR.. Ira Gregory, Charles Issacs,
Geo A. Davenport, Jacob II Van Zandt
Charles Sherry, w. A. Smith,
Dr. Samuel Lynes, JIM Rose,
Noah s. Day, Z. B. Hews, eenWi0n
Thomas c. Hanford, Mr.. Stearns
Secretaries
Joseph F. Foote, Charles f. olmsted,
o. P. Quntard, C.J. Gruman,
Geo. W. Smith.
Mr. Joseph F. Foote, of the secretaries, read the
following resolutions which unanimously adopted:
Whereas, great public calamity occurred ON Friday
last at this place. SURPRISING all others which, in this
State have proceeded It, by which many most estimabe
lives were lost to their families their Kindred and the
society in which they lived clothing in deepest mourning
the hearthstones Of New England and our country.
Therefore,
Resolved That we tender to the relatives Of the de.
ceased wherever they may be, our deepest sympathy
and express fervent hope that they fod, each
and every Of them consolation in looking to that Being
before whom it becomes us all to bow in humble recogni
tion of his power.
Resolved That we leave entirely to the coroner's ury
to find upon whom rests the sad responsibility of the late
casualty chief duty being to bring before the egsa
ture the necessity of eecuay providing for the
Resolved That memorial be prese nted to the Legs
latuie of this State in session, praying for tho
actment of such laws SHALL far human foresight
can prevent the recurrence of similar accidents
Resolved That copy of these resolutions, with the
mortal annexed be transmitted to the Legislature and be
printed in several of the newspapers of this State and in
the New York papers generally.
The meeting was then addressed by DIR. Hul Of Nor
walk, who spoke in appropriate language Of the careless
of the officials employed upon the road. He also
expressed his deep sympathy with the friends and rea
| tves OF the deceased
Dr. Mead Of Norwak next addressed the meeting. He
spoke substantially folio wsI well aware that after
c..t of
just occurred the question is asked, who is to blame
whenever accident of the kind happens You cannot
look at yonder witness of reckeseness pontipg to the
bridge) and ask that in this will take upon me
to say that consider the company who have employed
by whose careessness the lives Of fellow citizens
endangered greatly TO blame. This morning, on
looking the paper saw the testimony Of the Super
ntendent Of the road who states that the engineer,
about two years ago, employed upon the road