Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-29
Local ami State Mems.
vestigati0n Of the Cause Of the Railroad
Accident,

vestigation ofth Cause Of the Railroad
Accident.
The jury empanneled by Coroner William
Libby of this city, to investigate the cause
the unfortunate railroad accident OF Tues
" on the Maine Central, mile and half
low the city of Hallowell, ass embed yes
iday forenoon in the city building in Hal
veil. The names of the jury are as fol-
VS. f. Rowell, Henry Chase, Simon John
\, J. S. Snow, J. b. Thomas, and William
ilson. There were present in the court
IN: A. w. Wildes, Esq, Railroad Com
ssioner: Judge Rice, Darius Alden, and
unity Attorney Whitehouse. During the
.estigation, the witnesses were freely asked
estions by Judge Rice and Mr.. White
use. The witnesses were called and sworn
Coroner Libby.
John Holmes, conductor of the accommo-
lion train, said The last hour to leave
'rdiner is 5 o'clock. Left on Tuesday af
noon one minute behind time; run slow
til met with mixed train. Would have
de her time in twenty minutes to Halo
III. Soon after we came to ice house, / was
front end of car, looking out, and saw an
fine approaching. Passed through the car
Y notified passengers that a train was com
into us, and told them to take care of
mselves. Passed out of car and next
Pig knew found myself down by the wa
in the river. | looked up and saw steam
smoke and pieces flying in the air; went
tand looked to see if any one on the car
5 killed mr. hurt; first person that | saw
% was injured was fireman on upper train;
,uested the gentleman that was with him to
e care of him. Next discovered boot
h leg in it. Passed along and saw the
sineer, Mr. Berry, lying upon his back,
Id; examined to see if the leg was his, and
snd it was then searched for his engineer,
q found he was there and was safe inquired
brakeman to send out with flag to warn
SIGHT train; found that flag had been sent
already; brakeman on down train had
flied people up river of accident, and re-
,sted assistance. Went back to dummy
found two ladies on bank sitting down;
en- assistance came for them. Had no no.
to change time of starting from Gardiner;
no knowledge of train being on road;
u was ours, according to printed instruc-
rs; called attention of engineer to that
before starting. thine table was exhibit
to show that the down train was mixed
In and should keep out of the way of the
ommodation train. When other trains are
sning on our time we are always notified
superintendent or Assistant Superintend-
Despatch received from Mr.. Lincoln at
clock in forenoon saying that he could not
on to the train more than five minutes.
no official notice that mixed train was to
sc out of usual time, 80. When notified
Telegraph from Superintendent of change
pme, we generally repeat our instructions
IS to be sure that the notice has been re-
sed. / run my train subordinate to the
liar passenger trains.
levi l.. Lincoln, Assistant Superintendent
he Maine Central, testified: l have charge
Tunning all trains on the road. The trains
run by regular time table, these govern
SECULAR trains running on the road; in
,ctions are given in detail as TO passing
ats, on back of time table. Asked Mr..
Ery in the morning if he had time table,
he said mo, that's what / came in the
for; gave mine away" | took one
a the drawer, looked at the number to see
was correct, and gave it to him. lie asked
ais was a special train; l told him it was
that it was regular train. He said if
lad the table he knew what he was doing.
ked him how he happened to be on the
q said that Mr.. Ellis had changed him at
nswick, (Mr. Bean is the regular engineer
Che train, but was called off, always re-
Eled Mr.. Berry as one of our most careful
Have known him not to take a verbal
er from conductor as to passing point on
road. Mr.. Charles Merrill is regular con-
tor of the mixed train. Some time during
day he asked me if had any instructions
him. l said 'no, you don't require any
arp ruppuu rapular train =" bp slal
what time he should get away from there,
l said had advertised the train to be de-
II until 5 o'clock; he asked me something
lat passing Holmes, and said ''you may
Net away frsm here" and told some of
members of the democratic convention
/ could delay the train until 10; could
lelay longer than that, to make pass at
DWELL, and also to make connections at
nswick for Bath and Lewiston. Think
asst words said to Mr. Merrill were, "let
know if you are delayed so as to fail in
hing Brunswick, SO that lean delay the
is if necessary, and mentioned the time
This was not long before the train
led. / also said ''let me know when you
delayed" When l heard the report of
accident by telegraph, was in the office
operator said there was some trouble.
aid something about running into the
my. He got small part of the message
IIallowell, and could get no more. The
sage had but just commenced. While we
waiting, l remarked that they must have
running down to back off the turnout at
DWELL. After four or five minutes we
message that ''train had run into dummy
Y Hallowell, all smashed up, don't know
many killed" Signed, "Merrill." |
asked if Merrill was in the telegraph
p. Said "no, that Mr.. Stoddard brought
Message" 1t was the..duty of the mixed
to keep clear of the accommodation
then went out to send a train with
.tance to their relief Next news came
Gardiner, message from baggage master
~ that they had collided with dummy and
lg that he was in Gardiner with flag, l
sent message directed to S. X. Gilman,
olland, Hallowell, "We start from Angus
Hallowell, with train, see that nothing
IS this way" Took mattresses and tools
he train. Should have notified Mr..
hes if he was to change his time, never
crossed train without giving instruc-
in writing. When Mr.. Merrill asked
uring the day if there were any special
uctions, l replied ''No, you are running
sular train. You may not get away from
lsta until five o'clock" Read general
led rules that conductors direct attention
sgineers to special rules, and recommend
nat cnnductnrs and epyinpers adviSa IN.