The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-10


NErr.-The adjourned inquest in this case came
off Monday in the Coroners Office, when the
following evidence was adduced:
j. B. Rice, sworm-I am Conductor for the
st. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company; was on
the train on the morning of the Sd of July; got
to Lake Como crossing about A. NJ; the bell
was rung and the whistle blown, as is custom
airy; commenced giving the signal about eighty
rods before coming to the crossing; we were
going at the rate of about twenty-five miles an
hour; it is not customary to slacken speed at
crossings; was collecting fares and could not
see any instructions on the road; heard the en-
gineer whistle down breaks and felt something
strike the cars; the breaks were Immediately
put down; the cars run on about 200 feet on
the other side of the crossing; heard some one
mediately went back on foot, and found Capt.
Bennett lying on his back insensible; both
bodies lay on the other side of the fence, also
the horse and wagon was on this side: assisted
in carrying the Captains body to the nearest
house; thinks person coming down that
crossing could see the track either way: did not
think he had ever seen a crossing of that de-
scription before; has been running trains on
that road since the commencement and never
had an accident before.
Mr.. Gardner, SarOrn-Am engineer on the St.
T. q T. X. r., and have been since the oath
OF June, a year ago; was on the train at the
time of the accident; it is customary for en-
gineers to give all the usual signals before CON-
ing to crossing, and on this occasion gave the
usual signals; can see the crossing for about
half mile; can see teams up on the hill before
going down into the cut. but could not see them
In the cut; saw four teams on the hill as we
swung round the cut; slacken speed at cross
ings within city limits, but not at other places;
the cars were travelling at the rate of about %
miles an hour; saw no team coming on to
crossing; as struck the crossing, the horse
and wagon struck the fore end of the engine
at the same time; rung the bell to have the
brakes put on, and stopped the cars about 200
feet from the place of the accident. THE evil
dence the same as that of Mr.. Rice. Has been
running on railroad for ten years; never saw a
gate on railroad crossing; thinks that cross
ing as safe as any other on the road.
Mr.. II. Cashier sco,w-I am brakeman on
the st. T. q P. r. R.; was on the road the
morning of the accident; could not see ahead
on the track: it is customary at that crossing
for the engineer to ring the bell and blow the
whistle, and he did SO; put down the brakes
when the signal was given; the train stopped
about 25O feet from the crossing; saw a glimpse
OF something as we went by the crossing, but
could not distinguish what it was. but supposed
1t to be wagon. (The balance of Mr.. Cast
ners testimony.
Mrs. 4. Ryttag, stcO1n-l live six miles out
in the country; live near Capt. Bennets. and
was acquainted with him; came into town in
wagon with her little boy; was on the top of
the hill and saw the cars crossing before they
whistlcd; there were two wood teams beside
hers and Capt. Benefits; Capt. Bennett passed
he drove down the hill very slow, and witness
thought he was going to stop, but he went on
the road just as the train came mp.
DR.. Caiae, SoCOrn-knew Captain Bennett
was sent for to go to the scene of the accident
found DR.. Stewart in CHARGE made 4 casual
examination-the hand was badly lacerated,
the skull was fractured, and there had been
evidently conclusion of the brain; the injuries
were sufficient to cause death.
DI. Williams, sUOrD-1Am practicing physl-
clan; was called on to see the deceased the
Captain was breathing very heavily; had two
wounds on his head was pulseless and insen-
sible; the injuries on his head were sufficient
to cause death.
Dr.. lercais seco,m.-Am practising Physi-
clan and Surgeon; was called or to go out to
the scene OF the accident; was the first ply
siclan who arrived ut the house; made an OK
animation and ascertained the nature of his
wounds. The evidence of Doctor Vervais was
cOrrobOratlve of the other medical witnesses.
WUt0rd Wilson swO,n.-knew Captain Ben
nett lived about four miles from him; was in
front Of the baggage car at the time of the col
lision, going out home; saw Captain Bennett
coming down the moment before he struck the
cars Captain Bennett seemed to be in hurry;
think he saw him clapping his hands; saw the
engineer put on the brakes This witness
testimony cOrrOborated the evidence OF the
railroad officers
Wa. Styles srO,R.-IhiS witness was on the
cars but cid not see the accident.
The jury returned the following verdict:
1--WE find that Abraham Bennett came to his
cOminO.
the Passenger train of the st. Paul and Pacific
Railroad, and we also find that the engineer
and conductor OF said train, exercised due eau
ton in running said train, but that public safe
ty requires that the crossing be bridged; pro-
vided with a gate or tender, Or else that the hill
on either side be graded.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.-A fire broke out
Oh Saturday morning, about half past two
o'clock, in the school house attached to the
German Catholic Church on Ninth street. The
fire companies were on the spot soon after the
alarm was given, and succeeded, with consider
able difficulty, in saving the church The
Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company got first
on the ground, quickly followed by the Hope,
which got stream on the burning building,
combining the fire to the school house. The
Minnchaha then came up, but there was no ne
cessity for their services.
The Rev. Mr.. Maroqua, the pastor, was bad
ly burned, in trying to save the property Of the
church and his own. His hands and face were
scorched and his clothes burned. He has since
been doing well, and no fears are entertained
ofhis recovery.
1t is estimated that the whole loss will be
about 81, 900 or 81, POO. 1t is the intention of
the church to put up a new building of stone
in place of the one destroyed. No insurance
was had on the property, and there is some i'm
preston that it has been the work of an incen-
diary.
Row AT THE Observation-Disclosures dis
graceful row occurred ut the Athen&um on the
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