The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-05


wives and children dspsndsnt on them for support.
Some Others were slightly hurt whose names could not
be sscertained
CoRONER's INQUEST ON THE BODIES.
FRIDAY-FIRsr DAY.
az on s Sos q % t sss =
O'Clock on Friday morning He sat In the private once
Of Messrs Fayle Gray, and in short time the follow
ing gentlemen were summoned ON the
Chester Adams foreman James Goodwin iona Good
win s. Beckwith, G. n. Beach, R. Tracy h. Most,
A. N. Clark, Dr. G. 8 Brown, j. II. Hocomb, A. g. stil
After few observations the Coroner proceeded to
cord the annexed : -
Patrick Munhal deposed-I had to look after the fires
Of the boiler when the engineer otherwise engaged
twenty years old my duties principally to bring
wood and coal McDuy attended during dinner hour yea
in good order have been here eight or nine months and
assisted the engineer for three weeks only yesterday
afternoon, after came from dinner, about four ave
minutes before the explosion said to the engineer Is
there enough water in the boiler - and he replied,
have just taken of the pump and there are two steady
per- up to eightytwo pounds, and knew that
If at eighty five it would blow off, have told him before
TO let down the dsmper left him with foot outside
the door, he could not have gone steps before the
explosion; going into the cellar for COAL and
blown down have known it to to ninety when the
pump on used to wait till steam got up past eighty
and then told him. when told McCune that the steam
was he replied that he had just taken of the pump
for dinner but he took off the pump when back;
the pump put directly after the engine started
utes or twenty minutes after ONE he used to put pump
usually every fifteen or twenty minutes the pump
worked well, none better the engineer said AcCune
duty all the time from dinner; l him; did
rot him neglecng his duty; him speak to an
able bodied man for moment that was ALL at the time
last him did not that he went to look after the
engine there other persons about there between
the hours of and two, but myself and the engineer
steam for two or three barrels full before the explosion
McCune was talking with some one but he had gone
away before the explosions McCune was standing near
the door when got the last barrel full the engineer
told anything about the boiler saw the body
of the engineer lying the platform, about five
feet from the door of boiler house, was under the plat
form the bricks and timber fell around me- thought
my legs broken should have been killed had not two
pieces of timber protected me- had got in few shoyels
full of coal when explosion took place; insensible
for time; the first body saw was that of McCune
BY Jurormd accune tell YOU when you tod s him
swer-No, sir he would not give me such an answer
eighty pounds the usual amount Of steam required
when it got higher he let down the damper did not
stop to him do yesterday, should have been in
eternity with him now; he had to put and take off
pump very often-sometmes every ten, other times If
teen minutes the power required by the whole
part of the machinery being in motion; do not know
that McSune ever put an extra weight on ane
down by letting on pump or letting down damper he
would not allow it go higher unless the pump was on,
when he would sometimes let it up to ninety; the
last time saw him alive was when he told me he had
just taken OF the pump
thirtyeight years old; business has been to keep
steam the pipes for heating the building and at
he s lime was when for dn
the boiler all right and Marshall and the engin
took it in charge them when left the pump was off,
though had been just before; left good fire OF
wood and coal under the boiler yesterday between II and
the gauge ran down to sixty and up to eighty as
net weight e
put the valve of this boiler the steam blows oil be-
tween eighty and ninety have known McCune for the
two | hay been here
very e he had not been drinking before he returned
yesterday have not him drink for two months he
not accustomed to drink enough to show it; have
him drink than one glass; he would show
it if he drank to excess he never told me about his
drinking; the height Of steam at O'Clock could not
TELL II up TO eighty just before put the pump,
fifteen minutes before Il when the pump was put on 1t
to- the 1 Thought ,e os
this has taken its place. never heard any com
plant against the boiler; was in Main street when
the explosion took place. and when got down here it was
Gardiner L. Grant sworn-I am 27 years of age; have
been in the employ Of this company four and half
years. nearly all that time in the machine shop; since
year last January have been foreman OF the machine
the boiler was in the centre Of the shop at the time Of
the explosion that would be thirty feet from the boiler
did not notice the height Of steam saw the engineer
in the engine room; him In the boiler room in
the afternoon, half hour before the exploson have
heard him say that this boiler made steam very fast
quicker than the other, and it hard work to keep
up steam" have at times thought him careless and
on have told him of it because thought 1t dangerous;
have noticed 1t much the the old one;
told him 50 on tine e 0a a. S
gauges of which there three to see how things were
going have seen the steam up to 80 never up to
95 he pump yesterday in good ORDER heard COM
plant against the pump the pump had been out of order
shoud have informed of by the engineer it
against the pump have not examined for three days.
have never McCune under the influence of liquor
when at his work. he careless than he should
hsvo hecn for of
remarked among the workmen in the shop; he was an
!rishman pretty good engineer II ne minded his work;
sklful engineer; in all respects think he was not
a suitable to have charge Of that engine; he was
rather apt be venturesome have spoken to Mr.
Faye relative his carelessness, time since when
he about leaving; don't remember the date the
boiler did leak the engineer has told that the
boiler very good first rate one' have heard
George Stone and several Others whose names do not
remember speak of the carelesness Of McCgne George
Stone in the machine shop when the accident occur
red, but he not hurt; could not testify to there
being than ninety pounds Of steam on to the inch
at any time have noticed the steam blow off several
times but know at what height rarely hear
it where work. have heard some express fears about
the engineer since the putting up of this boiler.
The jury then adjourned at 12H, to meet again at
2P.M.
EVENING SESSION.
The Court met pursuant to adjournment in the after
On notion committee consisting Of Jas. H. Hol-
comb John r. Tracy and Mason Gross appointed to
take the testimony of William D. skinner, who too
much injured to appear before the Coroner and also to
take the dispositions of such other PERSONS whose est
mony might be Of importance might be unable to at
tend.
Mr. Beekwith, juror, suggested the improperly of
having any Of the firm present during the examination
of the witnesses they would undoubtedly feel diff
dence giving evidence in their presence His sugges
ton favoraby received, and an ntimaton to its
effect was given to Messrs fayle Tracey.
Lorenzo H. Pomeroy sworn, deposeth-1 am thirty
three years age business here is to supernend
the building Of the freight cars have been in the
poy of the company two years last August with regard
to the boiler not sufficiently informed to speak;
have heard persons express an opinion to
the boiler have heard Mr.. Cancss the foreman Of the
blacksmith's shop, say he thought the engineer
good one and he had an opportunity to know much
about his merits any one, his forge only
some twenty feet from the boiler have heard Mr..
Hancock the foreman of the planning and saving, who
/ remember McCune saying that he left because he
got but 81 SO per day during McCune's absence
did not suit he could not keep more than half the ma