The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-01
LOCAL AFT AIR S.
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Ne LATE DISASTER ON the HARLEM RAILROAD.


vs.dsss Of sAs jury Conserving tho CoHaae-
s,r a the Sew Haven Train.
Before Coroner ODonnen.
Esstsrday Coroner ODonnsl held inquest upon the
AZ Of John lawson, who died 1t the New York Hos
III few days ago, from the effects Of injuries
we'd in the late collision between the Harlem passenger
inland the New Haven freight train, both on their
b 10 this city. At ten O'Clock the Deputy Coroner
OHsslon, succeeded In procuring jury Of the fol
visg men, 70 make an impartial inquiston into the
zee Of the death Of the deceased
stephen Taylor, John Wilmarth,
"a p. Smith, g. D. Skiller,
E Lsipsic, w. A. Foster.
L. Leland,
10 these gentlemen Coroner O'Donneu made = short
lrsss upon the duties that incumbent upon them
ring the nquisition. He said that It would Be their
~ ssrlessy to inquire into all the details Of tho
ent from beginning TO end. 1t was for them to know
Asthsr the rules and regulations applicable to the
xlsm Railroad were properly observed-whether any
anne could b attached to either train for such ne
eet The recent number Of fatal accidents occurring
raroads demanded at their hands in this case tho
ugh examination OF all the facts connected with the
ss which important that he felt quite satisfied
Aat Thy would give it al their attention.
Theirst witness examined WAS
yshiB. Elliot who, being duly sworn, deposed and
ksid-hat be resided at Greenbush, N. Y; am en-
noyeby the Harlem Railroad
= What capacity 4. superntendsnt.
Segulson Of the roadY A. Yes, SIR
O. N far does your line extend from New York; A.
O "A it your duty t. have the supervision Of this
o Wat men have care of the linsf A. Flagmen,
O. lat MOI the business especially Of these to
That ntsccients can occurf A. Yes.
q. What 1.-THE particular duty OF fagmen9 A. Their
iatO o trnc n
give wMninof the approach Of trains
O. These lgmen are stationed wherever you suppose
Q. AT WI intervals along the roads A. There are
NO partcul intervals it depends altogether upon the
Q. BetwS New York and Harlem how many Hagmen
were statca along the road the morning OF the
ekientf Al think there were four-one at Ninety-se-
cond streetne at Eghty.sxth street, one at Seventy
sinth strickland one at Fiftieth street.
T. Then tese four fagmen were above Forty second
O. Are tie four Hagmen sufficient to adopt precau-
onay meures to prevent accident along this part Of
the roadS 4. We think
2. In cse any interruption may to ap-
preaching rainy A. Yes; but my answer will require
An explanation on my part.
CoroDer-Well, state your explanation
move distractions from the track such pieces Of rock
that occasionally get on the track.
. ID there an arrangement between the Harlem and
New Haven Railroad companies to permit the New Ha-
ven Railroad to run their upon the Harlem track
pss. tss Ssx hsvsn Railroad share the spon.
shy Of placing agmen along this part Of the road A.
9 Then you have the entire control and management
Of the roadi A. Yes.
q On Wednesday morning last there was collision
D. Were vow informed Of thsY A. Yes.
g. When were you informed Of the facts A. About
O. Where we're you informed it happenedp A. The man
that told Of the accident could not say its
act locality but FASTENED along the road to the neigh
borhood Of Fifty eighth street. where found the New
Qa twain and AUH fvotu ~yoak hnin had
into one another two Of the New Haven had been
thrown of the track and one engine was all broken.
g. The train that into the New Haven train where
did it come from? A. From White Plains
G. What time did 1t leave White PainsG A. Its regular
time for leaving this place ID o'clock.
O. What 10 the usual speed Of this tran9 A. The time
table speed is about % miles per hour.
moving 4 the time Of the Collision, could not say
@ What DISTRACTED the New Haven train2 A. It was
ebstructed by one Of our freight trains being oil the
O You have : aagmaD stationed 1t this points A.
Yes, sir l
q What wssths duty Of the aagman at Eighty-sixth
q What time did the Harlem freight train get Of the
tsaehf understood it got Of about the hour Of TX
O. AT what time did you understand the collision to
have taken place between the Harlem train and the New
that t. about four hours after the impeachment occurred s
10 the New Haven freight train.
@ Did SUFFICIENT time intervene between the time the
give sufficient warning to approaching train, and
more particularly to the White Plains one A. Our sig
nal did take back the signals after the impeachment
g. What regulations were adopted in cautioning ap-
preaching trains in time CT dangeS A. The orders
Mat the conductor Of the train Is to give the necessary
O. this order had been carried out could it be pos
sibc that the collision would have occurred A. 1t is
not hardly possible or probable that it would
O. Is It probable at all A. think not; our orders
are that lights shall be sent at night at least half
Ter possible, so a. to be sure to stop II.
Q. By Juror would lke to know whether II IL the
DUTY Of Hagmen to give warning to trains that train
has Just previously gone before them9 A. It the
duty Of Hagmen TO show green flag to approaching
train when train has passed just FIVE minutes previ
Coroner-The New Haven Railroad is subject to your
rules and regulations along this part of the roads A.
O And they have nothing to do with your aagmsn9
Was it the business Of the New Haven train to warn
your train hs approaching one) Of the obstruction?
Ia il the duty Of all trains at night to carry lghti
A Yes they ought to carry red tail light, as We call
@ Do you rely this light in ease Of dangers A. No;
have frequently the sendback lights the nagmen
merely auxiliares IL il the duty Of the conductor to
O. Does this rule apply to the New Haven road as well
IS the Harem' A. It Is imperative ON all conductors
81 The regulations are such that conductors are OBJ
to send back with red kghtsf A. Yes and they
ust also know that they positively go back with these
xhts not merely send the brakeman back with light,
bat that his duty is duly performed that
|Eident may to an approaching train OF cars.
william E. Worthen being duly sworn, deposed and
sid-I reside in the city Of New York; am vicePres
dent Of the New Haven Railroad.
O. When did you hear Of the collision9 A. On the
|norning of the I'D.
O. Where did you hear 1t had occurred9 A. Somewhere
kn the neighborhood Of Fifty eighth street.
O. Did you hear the evidence Of Mr.. Elliott A. did.
O. Do you agree with him in his evidence to the
pective regulations Of each company this roady A.
40 agree with him in portion Of III when New Haven
xain stopped from any either road on
he Harem road Immediately send back word to that
fleet to approaching trains Tag is sent back in the
bay time, and a light at night.
Q. Who sends back this warning9 A. Our conductors.
How far back Is II necessary for the conductor to
bend back warningS a. About half mile; but If the
pe Of road is straight 1t is necessary send far
O. Do you know how long your train checked at
Ms place? A. No. sir.
O. When train Of yours is obstructed, do you depend
pom the flag men of the Harlem Railroad to send back
arningS A. No it is the duty Of conductors to do