Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-02
The Railway Disaster Inquest.
FIFTH DAY.


Boston, l. Samuel O. Hunt, sworn-Re-
side in Boston; employed as depot master
of Eastern Railroad since March LIST, 1871 :;
have charge of depot making up trains,
starting trains, &C.. particular instructions
were given me August 26th in regard to
trains; informed the engineer of Pullman
train to look out for trains that were behind,
also to baggage master; gave no instructions
as regards accommodation train particularly i:
trains had not run regularly for fortnight
past, for want of cars; there was a deficiency
OF stock for running trains; travel has in
creased very much, and running stock had
not kept pace with increase of travel have
care of making up trains and cannot start be-
fore they are made up by me; allude to cars
being deficient; do not start trains myself
conductors start them; some times advise
them about starting; advice them to run fast
or slow: when trains are behind time do not
advise them to make up time; have a gener-
al oversize of depot; noticed deficiency of
running stock since June LIST, 1871 have
complaints made to me of want of cars; the
travelling public have been pressing me for
better accommodations; trains have generally
been late towards night, more especially on
Wednesday and Saturday, they having been
the heaviest days; heard no conversation in
regard to Beverly and Pullman trains; can't
fix the exact time of starting Beverly train ;
did not look at my watch; think it left 20
minutes past eight O'Clock; Pullman started
at minutes past o'clock have been en-
ployed by Eastern Railroad nine years there
were three trains in depot on night in ques-
ton; very often passengers rushed from one
to another to find their respective train; for
past three years, during campmeeting, trains
have been late and behind time; heard of
collision ten minutes past ten; stated to
engineer Of Pullman train to look out for
trains ahead, Saugus Branch road is operat-
ed without telegraph; do not think accident
would have happened if there had been
telegraph; have reported to my superior
officer the need of more cars; my duty is to
send out trains on time as fast as possible.
jeremiah Prescott, sworn.-Am superin-
tendent of Eastern Railroad; have been Is
years ii months; have charge of working
of road; passengers have doubled within the
past ten years; running stock has been cut
short, losing three cars by accident on the
Maine Central; told the depot master to
caution engineer and baggage master to look
out TOR trains ahead on night Of Aug. Goth:
trains been delayed and behind their time
lately owing to campmeeting; loss of cars
has been one reason; we are short of cars !;
we have borrowed cars; regular trains were
suffered by campmeeting; have reported the
necessity of having more cars my request
has not met with response; at all times have
to the best of my ability tried to meet pressing
wants of the public; spoke to Lunt to notify
engineer to look out for trains trrines are
in hands of men who have control after leav-
ing depot; think that all engineers and con-
ductors on all trains should have known their
positions on night in question; that the engi-
neer of Pullman train should run cautiously
The inquest adjourned till tomorrow at two
o'clock.