Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-12-27
Testimony on the Mortified Ca
tastrophe.

From the testimony, now IN the county
clerks office, wegather this:
Abbott said Tenney told him to run up
the train and return for another load as
soon as he could; that he run at the usual
speed, about 20 miles an hour, did not
sound the whistle for breaks but shut off
the steam where he had done so on previ-
Gus trains that then he found that he was
getting nearer to the chasm than he was
aware Of, when he reversed the engine and
his brakeman put on the brake. AT this
time he was not running over eight miles
an hour, and the distance was about three
lengths of the train from the chasm at
the time he reversed when he reversed
the engine slid along the frosty track.
Major Tenney said nothing TO him about
runnin g after the train left the depot, nor
did any one else. He considered that
Tenney had the control of BIN in running
that train, and in starting he did UNDER
stand that Tenney was in hurry, and be
run quicker than he should have done if
Tenney had not made the remark about
hurrying up the men-a little quicker than
he chose to do, and than he had previously
run. Both engine and track were in good
condition.
Mr.. Tenney testified that when the train
was ready at Mortified depo, he did tell
Abbott to ring the bell and hurry up the
men, but that he had no control, and as
sumed none, over the engineer on the way
up. Locklin was his superior officer, and
he supposed he controlled the train. Ten
ney said he did not think the train was
going too fast until j. had reached about
halt way between elbow bridge and the
chasm. When he saw the Hopkins house
he thought the train would go off. He did
not speak to the engineer about it; the
time was too short for talk, and he jumped
as soon as he could find place after see.
ing the danger, landed less than one hun
dred feet from the chasm, and when ht
struck the ground he saw the car and ten
der go over. He thinks the engineer wal
absent-minded and forgot that the bridge
was gone. He may have told the engi
neer that he was to go back for anothe
load of men, but be did not remember.
Mr.. Locklin testified that he was assist
ant superintendent of the road and was OF
the platform of the car next to the chasm
that it was Abbott's business to run tn,
construction train that he-Locklin-hat
designated no person to act as brakeman
on the train though number of brakemer
were on the train; that he knew Abbot
was running too fast when the train passe,
the curve about sixty rods from the chasn
and then he gave signal to stop the train
There are two signals to stop, one by pull
ing the bell rope, and the other by swing
ing the arm by day and lantern by nigh
There was no rope attached TO the bel
and he therefore gave the signal by swing
ing the arm; that signal was not obeyet
and he supposed it was not seen. TIL
brake was put on at his end of the ca
when be gave the signal, the train thel
going 80 miles an hour. When about 81
feet from the chasm, he jumped, iudgin,
that the train was then going IL miles al
hour. He heard no whistle sounded to pu
on the brakes.
In so serious a matter, we have been
little reluctant to attempt an abstract Z
the most material parts of the testimon
OF the principal actors in this terribl
scene. lest injustice be done; but we thin
those most responsible must stand, upo
the balance Of the testimony, substantial
as this statement leaves them. No bunte
to stop the train, no bell rope for signal t
apply brakes, no warning whistle from th
engine. no effective signal or comman
taom anybody seen in time. Tenney hold
Locklin responsible for the train, Lockli
holds Abbott, and Abbott puts the respon
slbility upon Tenney.- Waltons Journal
We have read all the testimony thus ia
presented, and do not think the attempt /
put the blame on the engineer alone wi
hold. There should have been none bu
the engineer and his fireman on the engine
instead OF which there were three otbe,
persons, in direct violation of the rules .
the road, and of printed notices mt nm i,
the cabs of the engines.
T. 5. Since writing the above we bav,
seen the testimony of Willard s. Taft. on,
of those on the engine, and who had him
self remarked the day before of the dan.
ger to which they were exposed. an,
thought there was carelessness all round
and that the engineer was thrown off hi
guard by being hurried; and the whole o
his testimony confirms the impression tina
If ali other persons, had kept away from
Al