Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-04
From New York.

New York. 3. In the Westfield investga-
ton to-day, Robinson stated that he could
! neither read nor write, though on four occa-
! sions he passed examination as engineer. He
was ordered not to let off steam so as to
make too much noise, but was never forbid
den to blow lest he should brighten the pas
sengers. Ifhe had very high pressure, and
the superintendent was on board he w0ula
ask leave to blow, otherwise>h he would lift the
valve himself w. A. Lightfoot, commits
stoned by the Supervising Inspector to ex-
anime the engine, said he discovered an Is
inch rent between the upper and lower fues,
port side, where it could not be seen and
could scarcely be touched. This must have
existed some time, otherwise the engine was
good as ever. The rent did not go right
through the sheet, but was covered outside
by good iron; it ought to have borne thirty
pounds. The attachments of the guage were
not as he would have them. The accident
was caused by over-pressure and not explo-
son out of rupture.
After an adjournment for half an hour Mr..
Lightfoot volunteered an explanation, that
what he said in reference to the valve applied
to its condition, as he saw it yesterday after
exposure to the rain and mud he could not
tell but it was in good order before the ex-
plosion.
James W. BREASTED, Superintendent of
ferry boats, said that he was on board the
Mortified when the explosion took place and
ran along side the Westfel1, and they did
all they could to extricate the wounded. He
considered Robinson the most reliable man
he ever met and always preferred him to any
of the other engineers. The witness fire.
quently told Robinson not to exceed twenty
three pounds. He said, however, that he had
| freqently threatened to discharge him for
carrying 81 pounds of steam, and that he be-
lieved had he not carried more than % pounds
on that day the boiler would not have exploded.
He also stated that the 5reweries on Staten
wagon-loads of lager beer ON board the boats,
and the deck hands had been recepiants Of
portions of that beverage l do not know
that there was any last Sunday. Several
times l have found empty kegs on board.
| The passengers have sometimes given the
men liquor from bottles. | had suspicion
that such might have been the case then, for
| asked if any beer had been on board during
the trip. | am perfectly satisfied that the
engineer and fireman had none that day. l
did not ask about whiskey, the engineer was
perfectly sober so far as | could Judge half an
hour after the accident. My confidence has
not been shaken in the engineer now despite
the accident, and | would as soon trust him
one dead, victims of the explosion were pub
lished this afternoon, together with those of
seven missing, who are supposed to be dead.
Timothy Buckley died to-day and four others,
including German named Frederick Leming,
and wife, who were Immediately taken home
by their son who escaped unframed, and who
were not known to be injured until to-day.
Thomas Comfy of Brooklyn, rough, whose
brother was sentenced by justice Walsh for
robbery, assaulted the justice in that city
this afternoon and struck him repeatedly in
the face. He snatched club from an officer
who sought to arrest him and again rushed at
the justice, who then drew revolver to pro
tect himself. Comfy was secured by the Off
Ger.
The colored people of New York, Brook
Ign, and the principle towns of Long Island
had a gala time at Westburg, Long Island,
celebrating the anniversary of their admission
to franchise. Full $500 persons, about half
of the number being white, participated in
the festivities, Rev. Henry Ii. Camel de-
livercd Nh Grafton, urging the colored people
to adhere to the party that emancipated them.
Arrived, steamship Anglia, from England,
Syracuse, n. Y, 3. Gen. Sherman ar
rived in this city this afternoon and will
remain day or two.