The Portland daily press., 1871-09-01
MASSACHUSETTS,

MANCHESTER, N. H., Aug. 31.-Col IT, w;
Riddle, the Treasurer of the New Eugiahd
Agricultural Society, has made arrangements
with the railroad companies for ne transpor-
tation of passengers to the great Far at Low
ell which is to commence Sept. 9th, at reduc-
ed rates. The entries of stock are extraordlh :
arily large. The exhibition promises 10 be one
of the best ever given in New England, and II
estimated that LOG, 900 people will visit Lower
during this great agricultural festival.
Eastern Railroad Disaster-Fourth Day.
Ex msnat.on Of the Engineer OF the
Pullman Train. ....
Boston, Aug 31.-Asbbel S. Brown, sworn:
Reside in CharlestOwn; occupation, engineer
on the Eastern railroad; been in its employ SIX
years; run the Pullman express train, which
leaves at eight oclock. Was on train August
18th; think 1t was 8.25 o'clock when COLLISION
occurred; start at sos from Boston. Alter the
cars were ready to start conductor gave the
motion to go. Mr.. Lunt depot master; then
came alongside the engine in hurry and says
to me, Look ont for the Sangus Branch tram
1 said, all right. 1 then started, and the hrst
stop made was at Prison Point; started and
then stopped at Boston and Maine crossing;
started from there and run to Mystic river
bridge. The first place saw light as sig
nal of danger wYS swung from a tram going IN
an opposite direction; L whistled for brakes;
brakes were applied and we came nearly to
stop; knowing the danger had my tram under
fuil control; whistled off bIakes, run little
ways and saw a second signal swung in middle
of the track; soon after saw the red light on
pole at Sangus Branch was hauled down, and
train that was ahead of me crossed switches to
Saugus Branch; after switches were set the
light was run up and as ours was up and anoth-
er going up, this gave me the right Of the road !;
no reason to suppose there was another train
within six miles of me; run along, and the first
signal of danger saw was after leaving Over
head bridge. There I discovered two lights
looking me in the lace. WITNESS was effected
to tears, could hardly goOn). Immediately re-
versed my engine and whistled for brakes;
having done all in my power to stop mr. train,
made preparations to leave my engine think
ing she would run into the rear end OF that
train, and when got within four or FIVE rods
jumped off; was thrown on to my face aud was
scratched little; got up as quick as l could.
My first thought was whether my fireman got
OIL or not; went up to my engine; she was
blowing off steam so could not see into my
CAB; as soon as she got rid of tue steam looked
INTO my cab and called the fireman's name; got
no reply; went round to the other side of train
near where l Jumped off to see if could find
h'm; think met him when coming back, and
asked him ii he was hurt; he said no. Then
went 60 the train to render all the assistance
could; while there saw man trying to get out
OF the window; helped him out on platform; ;
then saw another man at the next window
helped him out, then recollect helping wo.
man and child from under the tram; next
thing heard Was that my baggage master was
hurt; went into car and asked him if he was
hurt; he ans wered he was. Went to my en-
CINE, got axes, jack-screws, bars, & and help.
ed get out the baggage master. Stay ed round
IL or hours then went down on to Mr.. Con.
verse engine, Rock port, and stayed with him
bali or three-quarters of an hour; got coat OF
him, washed my face aud then went to the
ruins; stayed there half or three quarters of an
nOur; heard that a train was going to Boston;
having done all could do went home; rhink
1t was 1870 when L entered my house; the at
mosphere was cloudy; looked like rain; some
foggy. Knew nothing of any train after leav-
ing Everett that did not have 20 minutes start
of me; did not expect any train ahead; was
running not over twenty miles per hour when
passed Overhead bridge; no one was with me
on the engine but the fireman; jadge the rate
OF speed when jumped was going at the rate
OF tea miles per hour; color OF lights were
white; saw no red lights; saw no lantern bt ing
so near on to that train and coming so sudden:
knowing that train was there, my attention
was turned to something else, that is to stop
the train as soon as could; reversed my en-
CINE because they were a short distance ahead
Cross -examined.-Did not receive my orders
before starting except what was said depot
master; did know the Beverly train was
behind time; know it was one-half hour be.
hind time; L don't know that ever had any
instructions in regard to a train that went
ahead OF tralu; could not tell what condition
the weather was; Do recolect noticing signal
seeing signal lights that night; could not tell
the rate of speed before reaching Prison Point;
should Judge fifteen miles per hour; was de-
tanned at Saugus Branch and was properly no
tned alter leaving the knOw-nothing; do not
get on extra speed after leaving Everett; in
creased rate OF speed but not as much as usual
alter leaving Everett; did Lot run SO fast on ac-
count OF fog; always make it practice to run
careful; the smoke from the stack did not in
teriere with my sight; head light was in good
condition; first point can see Revere depot il
Just as engine leaves overhead bridge; saw no
tram ahead between Chelsea depot and
bridge; my rate of speed was increased on
straight line of track; did not try to make up
lost time that night; was going through Revere
at the usual rate of speed; round the curve my
speed is twenty miles an hour; do at times run
faster than at Others; expect a train ahead to
give me warming; have made no threat that il
a TAIN was in my way L would run them
down; been on road six years, connected with
an engine; do not know what kind of brake is
used on the train; caunot judge whether the
brakes was put on or not; do not consult any
watch when l am behind time for the reason
that if am behind there,is not muchichanc of
getting ahead of time; always compare watches
with the conductor. Am positive it was tie
Saugus branch that twas to look out for; can
positively swear that there was no train in
sight on the straight track that night; know
wing that the Beverly train had start of
twenty minutes OF me and thinking they were
leaving Revere when l was starting had no
anxiety about it. 1t was my duty to look out
for a signal light at Revere; do not expect a
light there without there is danger. There was
light there. ~. rs.
VIM. F. Simonds sworn and his testimony
was corroboratve of engineers evidence 1t is
not generally understood there were five trains
delayed at the Saugus Junction when the late
accident occurred. The outward Saugus tr ain
was waiting for the inward Saugus taain, de.
tanning the Beverly train, which was followed
by another Saugus train, which delayed the
Pullman train. After Saugus train had pass
ed, the engineer OF Pullman train supposed the
track clear, and hence the sad result