Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-06

Seventh DHy of the COrOner's Inquest.


James Hickey, Aagmau at Caryville, was
called and testifed,-IIad been III that position
since one year ago last February; was on duty
on the night of the accident; saw both trains
pass, the accommodation at twenty minutes
past eight O'Clock; MY time Is regulated by the
Chelsea depot time, and docs not vary more
than one minute and half In Il week; regulate
it once a week; saw the express train coming
round the curve after the accommodation train
had passed; should judge the di tancc to be
thrcC-QuatterS of mile, after the Beverly tram
passed, the smoke from the engine settled down
so | could not see the tail lights fifty rods dis
tant; noticed it particularly, and felt alarmed
in regard to the safety of the trains, and thought
that the express train would OYertake the ac-
comm0datiou, but had no time to stop the eX'
press train by signal which would have done,
as felt authorized In doing so under the cir
cumstances; both trains were not In sight at the
same time, and were running at the usual speed
think NOwlandS train was at the crossing when
the Pullman was at the side bridge,
Henry ID. Hall of East Boston was next
called and teStifed.-Am an engineer in the
freight department., and have been on the road
nineteen years; was asleep in the depot on the
nigh; in question; Mr.. Beas spoke to me, and
said there was going TO be ColliSion was in
the door of the Revere depot when the collision
occurred; should judge it was twenty minutes
past eight o'clock stepped back into the depot,
when the train struck for safety; it took half
minute for the engine, after striking, to empty
itself of steam and water, and should Judge it
was moving at the rate of ten or fifteen miles
per hour; went TO East Boston Immediately
after the accident for help returned with Mr..
Thompson and doctors; the night was iOggy,
and the condition of the rails greasy.
James A. Bcal, of East Boston, testitied-Am
stationary engineer at East Boston, and was in
the doorway of the Revere depot when the col
liSion took place; Nowlandhad arrived one and
half minutes before; first saw headlight of
Pullman train pOmiutr from uuapr the brl1up
The balance of his testimony was corroborative
of what other witnesses testified to.
Joseph +. Babcock, of East Boston, testified.
Am locomotive engineer; have been in the
employ of the Eastern railroad twelve years,
most of the time on the road; was passenger
on the freight which stopped at North Chelsea,
and saw collision; should say it was lust as Now
lands train came down, and another person
went for Il pail OF water and after | got it, saw
the Pullman train coming down, and thought it
would stop; but, when it reached the overhead
bridge, saw ii had no time to stop, although it
was evident they were slackeningu up the engine;
| said: "My God" My Godl" "Lool at that
MURDER" could see the tail lights of NOwIand's
train much quicker than the the engineer of
the Pullman train, owing to my position
Coleman Cook, a resident of East Boston and
real estate man.-Thought would be able to
get train at North Chelsea for camp meeting,
and started at quarter of eight arrived there
at eight; looked ut the clock in the depot at ten
minutes past ClgOE, ana saw Il Tram coming with
two engines attached; when the train arrived,
stepped upon the hind car, and asked Rowland
if he was going to camp meeting; he said mo-"
stepped back, and when he was going under the
bridge saw the express train coming; remarked
that the express would overhaul the Beverly
train.
George NJ. Brown, president of the Eastern
railroad, was then called and sworn.-Had held
that position thirteen years; have no means of
knowing the number OF passengers carried, eX-
cept by returns; in 1860 we carried fourteen to
fifteen hundred thousand passengers, and in
1870 nearly million and a half the last re-
turn is for ten months, and shows that we have
carried about three millions, and think the last
two months will make it four millions; in 1860 |
found by returns that the number of cars was
forty seven; by returns in 1870 for ten months
the number is eightvASiX. The purchase of
cars is managed in this way The superintend-
cut makes up his mind as to what cars are
needed, and reports to me; ! assent and he
goes and orders or purchases them, under my
direction; no complaints have been made to me
until this summer, and am not aware, from
my own observation that there was deficiency
of cars; the superintendent was on a vacation,
and while he was absent, Mr.. Williams, one of
the directors, first called my attention to the
delay of trains; | asked him to see the station
agent as to the departure Of the trains, and
over-crowding of cars; saw him afterwards, and
he told me it was remedied there is a less num-
Der of cars used now than formerly, on account
of the frequency of the trains, which 90 over the
road oitener than they did in 1860, and the cars
are also larger and carry a larger number of |
passengers; there have been twelve cars added |
to the road, between the list of January and the |
time of the accident; we lost two or three cars |
by that accident; last winter we had an estimate
made of the number of cars which we should |
want this year, and submitted it to the board OF |
directors; 1t was approved, and | ordered the |
cars made accordingly; the superintendent did |
not think the SlODS lOipu what tbnV |
should, and he ordered four cars built at the |
Taunton shops; all the Improvements that have |
been made have been brought to my no. |
tice; had complaints last year that we |
were short of cars, and accordingly |
made provision for that necessity; was not |
aware the muster was appointed the same week |
rs camp meeting, until atterward, and regretted |
to hear it, and should have tried to prevent it |
if had known it in season; have had com
plants that the travelling public was not ac-
commodated last year; never have made any |
statement that did not care for the travelling
public, and do not think ever made any such |
remark; do not go over the road but once or
twice Il month; the twelve cars which we added /
thought would exceed the amount of travel
this season; | have supposed that we had the |
whole and free use of the telegraph, but, not
long ago, the superintendent called my atten-
ton TO the fact that he could not have the use of
it, and then thought we should have a wire of
our own; do not think there has been
brought before the board it is the duty |
OF any member to notify the board of any de-
hciency as regards cars or wants of any deocrip-
ton; the price of the stock when | came into
the road was $50, and it was sold before the ac-
cident at Sis; the safety and convenience of
the public was considered at the meetings
of the directors; such matters are always the
subject OF the meetings, and in my Judgment
the number of trains are not hazardous, but re-
quire great skill in running them; as a general
thing, the rules and regulations are made by the
superintendent, and are not always submitted to
my judgment; have read the rules, and con-
slider it safe that trains should be allowed to run
within mile of each other; remember last year
that complaint was made of over crowded cars;
do not think there has been so great pressure
before as there was last week; have no recollec-
ton of the superintendent making complaint
that he had not rolling stock enough for the ac-
commodation of trains; did not apprise the
military authorities that we could not accommo-
date them, but tried to borrow for their use;
the superintendent is the person for making ar
engagements for all the extra trains Tor eXcur-
Sons, musters, &C.; we do not Intentionally mean
TO have trains behind time or run in violation of
time; tickets and terms are issued
under my direction and approval by the di-
rectOrs.
A ticket was here shown to witness, with the
request that he should read it, upon the back of
which there was a clause eXempting the COM
pany from any claim for injury to the person
holding 1t, which he explained by referring to a
law passed last session, and that such tickets
were sold at reduced price.
Neither the directors nor myself used any in
huence IN getting the law passed; after the acct
dent, Mr.. Ives waited upon me, and requested
that Mr. Rowland be suspended while this in.
vestigation was going on, and it was done; we
have a committee from the board OF directors in
upon this inquest; aud have also
an investigation ourselves in regard
to the accident; believe all the other employees
are still attending to their duties and hold their
situations
At this point, the inquest adjourned until to-
when the president will continue his
testimony.
rs itn HOaXs
MOBILE Sept 5.-The following has Just
been received from Pensacola, Fla, from a copy
a memorandum made in pencil by part of the
e