, 1865-08-25
THE HGUsATONIC TRAGEDY.


BnlDoEronT, Ans. p, lSG5.-The following
is the verdict lu the Housatonic Railroad acct-
dent, made public to-day.
This verdict goes to the Superior Court now,
snd 1t Will be the office Of the State Attorney
to prosecute the guilty or culpabte parties,
Coroners' Juries having, under the Connecticut
statutes, no authority OF power to punish or
determine the extent Of guilt Of the parties
whose acts have caused tic death Of any per-
son or persons, being restricted 10 simply In
qnirtng into canse.
THE VERDICT.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, S.. BRIDGEPORT, Aug.
1s, 1sG5.-The undersigned Jurors, being duly
empanneled and sworn to enquire OF the
cause and manner Of the death Of Mrs. E. O.
Wskeman, Mrs. Henry Lamberton, Mrs. Ma
rim Tborne, Mrs. Sarah Esan. Mrs Charlotte
Cable. Samuel Gro fat, Vim. Memott, Thomas
O'Bricn, George ". Mansfield md Samuel B.
Dcmmlns, do Ind the sa1d persons came to
their deaths on the 18th md 18th days Of
August, 1865, they being passengers on the
HonsatonIc Railroad, about four miles north
Of Bridgeport, in consequence Of q collision
between the locomotive Fairfield and the reg
ular morning passenger trim from Bridgeport
to pftts1leld, aaid passenger trufn having over
taken a disabled freight train near Tr1lmbull
Church, was backing toward Bridgeport, and
in connection with said freight train at the
time OF collision. The passenger train left
Bridgeport ut fifteen minutes before II q. H.,
and tho locomotive Fairfield about fifteen mill
utcs later, and the locomotive was sent out
on ttlal BIZ Mr.. Andrew Wi1sfow, muster me-
chanic Of the Housutonic Railroad, and was
under the charge Of Edward n. Lyman, engf-
nccr.
Tie collision occurred at curve in the road
a. II
train was In charge of Mr.. Fl. L. Plumb, con.
ductor, who was accompanied by Mr.. Chas.
Hunt, President and Superintendent OF the
road. The Instructions ttosn NJ. Winstow to
the engineer. Lyman, were either to go 4
short distance up the road or to 90 four or
this point. The jury ind among the printed
regulations Of the Housatonic Kaf1road, with
which the master mechanic and all conduct
ors uhd engineers were furnished, the follow
ing:
Eut +. Station Agent 1s required to hand the con-
luctot Of e1ca tfnfn memorandum Of The time Of
departure Of thc preceding train. II trains arc
stopped On the road the conductor nust always send
signals in each direction, and the eondnetors Of
tr.tn must % send signals 10 warn the approaching
I'D; Ta. T.. A rcd Ras BY Day and rcd 1an.ern BY
w.n On engine Other than that Of tegnlas train IS
to follow and In case regular train Il divided into
two or norc distinct trains, iags WI be ksps "
white flag dis played upon M engine Is signal
that IN extra trin ia soon to pass In an opposite
Ruis e. In al cases OF doubt. take the side track.
The Jury ilnd that regulation No. IL was
| violated by Mr.. Andrew Winslow, master
| mechanic, and Edward R. Lyman, engineer,
| by omitting to place fag OH the preceding
! train, they having the entire control OF the
locomotive Fairfield. We also lind that rcs,l-
! 1oit M ri
| Hunt, President ind Superintendent Of the
road, and also by 3lr. Henry l.. Plumb, con.
J tlnctor Of the passenger train, by oniitting to
send signals In each direction when the train
was stopped..on TIC roud, 1t being the duty Of
| said conductor to insist npon strict ati-
hcscncc to tie regulations, Notwithstanding
! The presence md directions Of his superior
ofllrer. We nlso lind that Rule No. 26 was
violated by all the above named parties: Had
! not these proper nna 6atntaTy regulations
| been lisregnrded these terrible results would
not hare occurred In con; consequence Of tlte
cautions BY thc officers and employees
Of The road ten human lives have been
| sacrificed. We, the undersigned Jurors, there
fore having considered the evidence given to
| us, do, on ol1r oaths, say Mrs E. o. Wakeman
A1ra. Sarah ESan, Mrs. Henry Lanberton, Mrs
mott, Thomas O. 'BrIcn, George W. Mansfield
Samuel =. pemmfng and Charlotte Cable
came to their dealhs from collision on tht
lIousatoDic Kaliroad on the 18th day Of An
gust, 1865, between passenger train and III.
locomotive Fairfield, which collision occurred
IN consequence OF the culpablc negligence and
want Of proper care and caution ou tho par1
Of Charles Hunt, Presiaen. and SupeFintend
cut, Henry L. Plumb, Conductor, Andrew
| Wtnslow, Master Mechanic, and Edward L.
man, Engineer, on said railroutl.
! DWIGHT MORRIS, Foreman.
james E. Dunhan, Sa1nuel .. Sumner, Vim
W. Hoiconlb, Lery Il. Ilubbel1, James a
Banks, L. My1on Slade, r. Topllinsou, Win
! Way, George W. OlMstca1.