The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-17
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY NOVEMBER IL, 1865

on from fourteen to fifteen hours a day; /
get thirty dollars month; l am seventy-three
during the day. and l don't need any;
at my post at the time Of the accident; Edward
0Brien attends the switch leading TO the table he
was there Wednesday at the time Of the accident
the train oil the track the switch leading the
turn table noticed locomotive come out from the
yard OF the turntabe about twenty minutes before the
accident, near as can recoect; when a locomotive
wants to get on TO the turn table the switch turned TO
let on did not sec 0Brien after the accident talk
TO him; him afterwards wringing his hands and
stamping his feet If he in great trouble he has
been that switch from six eight weeks: the tran
according judge, going at the rate of from
fifteen to eighteen miles an hour; / saw him short
time previous the accident standing pretty close TO his
shaniy; there are two switches in place and two
little further on; he was within fifteen twenty feet
from the switch at the time OF the accident.
THE BRAKEMAs's TESTIMONY.
12s Greene street. jersey City brakeman on the
New Jersey Railroad; 40 train when the acct
dent occurred there were two brakemen on the train
the baggage master acts as brakeman too il is quito
sufficient number for cars the time Of acct
dent should judge we were going at the rate OF from
twelve to fifteen miles an hour was on the front Of
the first passenger carr applied my brake
heard the whistle and the conductor applied the
baggage car cannot whether the brake in the
was applied not do not know Edward O'Bren; the
cause Of the accident the mspacement of switch:
do not think the accident would have been any less
rous il the cars had been running at less speed the
rails wet and was difficult to stop the cars when
the engineer blew the whistle of danger the third time
jumped OH; this was before reached the turn-tabe;
both brakes were down; heard the whistle as
the train reached tho switch; when jumped OF the
cars fell down; the conductor did not fall down when
he jumped Of
TESTIMONY OF SUPERINTENDENT OF REPAIRS.
John Herrck, being duly sworn, said reside at
No. 107 Union street, Newark; am Superintendent of
Construction and Repairs Of the New Jersey Railroad
Company part OF my business is TO employ switchmen
and 1agmen the Jersey road; have the supervision
of that part it is important that switchmen should be
good and careful men; know Edward O'Bren the
switchman; he has been in the employ of the road five
six years, more or less for the past year
ctr 60tn h,tx
for the purpose OF filling vacancies previous to that he
tackman, and at one time had charge OF gang of
switch six eight weeks, and regarded
by me as careful man he had TO at
tend to four switches within the space Of
one hundred and fifty feet he employed at his post
from about half past six in the morning to six the
evening" he had only five trains to attend to during the
whole days he receiving forty dollars per month
wages after engine had off the turn table it
his duty to put the switch to its proper position
on the main ss IA consider hts the re-
whether there any engine to go on off the turn
table at the time Of the accident; It is his duty keep
table, aboard the train at the time of the
ciden; should judge going at the rate of from
probably were going over sixteen eighteen; was
in the smoking car did not see Mr. Gordon; there was
no doubt in my. mind but that he was stand
ing on the platform at the time of the accident;
and the edge of the in coming into the smoking
took of his legs and carried the body forward do not
know whether the brakes applied not; saw
william Campbell, the brakeman, in the car few
minutes before the accident: saw Brien after the
accident occurred he was at the switches, and immc
datey afterwards went back to ascertain the cause
always do examined the switches and found them to
be all right said OBrien, how in the world did you
know he sweeping his switches with a broom" he
had placed the switch correct after the accident; dis
charged him and took his keys away; that Is rule
when employees neglect their duty to suspend them
discharge them; he bore good character, and when
put him there thought he was the best switchman
had got was satisfied he had neglected his duty;
would sooner trust him again at the switch than any
other
The investigation adjourned at half past ve until
nine o'clock this morning friday