Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-29


/ took him by the arm and told him that he
must go out. He stepped out on to the plat
form of the depot the same time did. This
was the rear end of the second car, being the
first passenger car. walked along to the for
ward end of the same car, and started the
train or signaled the train to start. He again
stepped on to the rear end of the same car
from which he had stepped Off The engineer
went right on. | had lost my points, in think
ing about this man, and what l should do
with him. | had forgotten that was to pass
Mr.. Holmes at Hallowell. 1t occurred to me
after | had started that / was to pass MIR.
Holmes at Gardiner as usual. l came to my
senses and thought where | was wrong, and
was going out to stop my train, but some OF
the passengers caught hold of me and asked
me some questions in regard to the arrival OF
the train at different stations. did not sue
coed in getting out. The collision took place
soon after. Heard no whistle. forgot to
pull the bell rope as have been in the habit
of running freight train where we have no
bell rope. The next thing knew | was ly-
ing on my back on the floor of the car. Cars
were crowded solid full many were standing
up. Am not used to running heavy trains
with many passengers. Soon got out of the
ear and went along side of the train. and
when got to the forward end of the train
saw the baggage master and told him to take
flag and go ahead towards Gardiner to warn
the freight train which was late. Asked some
of the passengers if they had seen anything
of either the engineer or fireman, and then
went to the engine to look for them. Brake
man came along and asked me if he should
go to lIallowell. told him to go and tele-
graph Mr. Lincoln that we were off the track
and all smashed up. Then got over the
wreck from the west side and saw them taking
out Mr.. Berry from under the baggage car.
Mr.. Berry was then dead. Then inquired for
fireman and went back and looked after him.
Asked some one if they couldn't take him to
a house where he could be cared for. Pas
sengers said they would take the car and
shove it up to Hallowel. One man said he
would 60 ahead so as to keep the track clear.
They started with the car with the fireman in
it. Then went back to see what | could do
for Mr.. Berry. He was taken in a boat to
Millikens wharf; went up there and got a
horse and wagon, put him into it and carried
him up to the IIallowell House. Carried
him into the room and laid him on the table,
and asked Mr.. Hill if he would send for the
Undertaken; a man was Immediately sent for
and came, and directed him to do all he
could. Mr.. Snow came in and did all he
could to relieve me.
Could smell liquor in baggage car and other
cars; saw none; if there had been a keg
there don't think | should have noticed it, the
cars were so full. The man with whom had
trouble appeared to be intoxicated. Have
been conductor on road for three years, on
freight train mostly; took mixed train 9th of
June. Was brakeman for four years previ-
ously. Am not apt to be excited in case of
trouble. Had a larger number of passengers
than ever before. Had taken no liquor dur
ing the day; am not in the habit of drinking
intoxicating liquor. Do not use it except
ordered by physicians. Always compare
watches at end of route with engineer before
starting. Berry was not regular engineer
of passenger train. He said nothing about
stopping at IIallowell. Was not running at a
rapid rate of speed when collision took place.
If the engineer knows of any danger ahead
it is his duty to stop, regardless of the orders
of the conductor. | distinctly told the en-
gineer at Augusta that we were to pass the
dummy at Ilallowell. | consider the position
Of conductor superior to that of engineer.
At quarter to one o'clock, the jury ad-
journed to P. NJ.
AFTERNOON.
The examination of witnesses being re-
sumed, Mr.. Merrill again took the stand. He
said he was asked to drink on the afternoon
of the accident. but refused. Saw no liquor
on the train.
Charles NJ. Evans testified Am engineer
on the accommodation engine. Was on the
train at time of accident. Been engineer on
train over two years. The testimony of
this witness was substantially the same as
that given by the conductor.l In addition
he said that knowing the up train was late he
spoke to the conductor about it, and they
agreed that the accommodation had, accord
ing to the rules, the right Of way. When he
saw the engine approaching, he sounded
brakes, reversed the engine and pulled her
wide open. The next thing he found him.
self in the gully among the rocks and alders.
On returning to the scene he set to work
getting the wood away and putting out fires
in the engines. The approaching train was
the length of about five cars distant when
first discovered. Mr.. Berry whistled brakes
on his engine. The engines came together
in from three to five seconds. Mr.. Berry
was a careful and nice man, temperate in his
habits. Mr.. Merrill has the reputation of
being a steady man; never heard that he was
a careless man, or that he drank.
Mr.. Merrllwas called for the third time. Had
been conductor on trains for three years and
had never before had any trouble. Had been
cautioned by engineers, and had freely con-
suited with them.
The testimony here closed and the case
was given to the jury at quarter past three
O'Clock.
The jury returned the following verdict:
STATE OF MAINE.
KENNEBEC IS.
An Inquisition taken at Hallowell within
said county of kennebec on the ~ and 2Sth
days of June in the year of our Lord one thous-
and eight hundred and seventy-one before
VIM. ii. Libby, Gentleman, one of the Cor
oners of said County of Kennebec, upon the
body of Daniel Berry there lying dead, by
the oaths of Eliphalet Rowell, Henry Chase,
William Wilson, John S. Snow. j. B. Thorn
as and Simon johnson, Yeomen, good and
lawful men, who being charged and sworn,
to inquire for the State, when, how, and bv
what means the said Daniel Berry came to his
death, upon their oaths do say, that the said
Daniel Berry of Brunswick, in the County of
Cumberland, came to his death on Tuesday
the 9th day of June, instant, at about 5.l5
p. NJ, in consequence of wounds received in
a collision between the mixed train which left
Augusta for Portland at o'clock p NJ, with
the Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner accom-
mediation train leaving Gardiner for Augusta
81 &c tha IA &C.