The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-08-31

Eastern Railroad Disaster. Thicd Day,
Boston, Aug. 30.-Tbe coroners inquest con-
tinued. Ashabet s. Brown, engineer OF the
Pullman train, was called, but excused until
tomorrow, on account of stenograp hic reporter
being absent.
Charles 5. Converse, sworn:- Reside at
Salem; occupation engineer on Eastern Ii. IL.
Run on the engine Rockport'; Rave been
employed as engineer six years next April; was
on the road night of Aug Goth; started from
Boston Ii minutes of with spare eugine for
Salem. Met the Saugus Branch at Everett;
stopped at Everett twenty minutes; another
tain came behind NE; it was the Saugus
train; was waiting iOr train TO come off the
branch; do not know but what it was more
than twenty minutes. TIE Beverly taccommO-
Jation train came behind me; was asked to
hitch on my engine to run TO Salem and help
them on. Expected the Pullman train and
wanted 10 keep out of the way OF it. Coupled
on and first stopped at Everett Stopped there
one minute; next stopped at Chelsea / 2 min
utes; next at Revere not more than one min
ute; got the signal to start and then heard a
whistle, and had not made more than one turn
OF the wheel when the crash came. Looked at
my watch, it was % minutes past O'clock.
Jumped up and looked over my engine Lett
1t in charge OF fireman; after seeing it safe,
went back and rendered what assistance /
could. Did not see the express train did not
have any fears of their running into us; it was
ioggy. Learned afterw ards there was a train
behind me, which proved to be the Saugus AT
times 1t was more foggy than at others. Started
at my Owl time; no one gave me the directions
to start from Boston. Was to run to Boston
and return to Salemwith engine only; stopped
at Prison Point; got my orders from Mr. Pres
colt at Newburyport; had no directions in re-
gard to time; did know what trains there weIe
on the road; started to return; stopped at Ev-
erett and was overtaken by Beverly train and
attached my engine to Beverly train; had no
conversation with engineer OF Beverly train !;
the Pullman train as alluded to by conductor
Rowland, who said they would have to run
slow and keep out of the way; thought the
Pullman train was behind us and Stopped !;
Rowland said the Pullman train was behind
and would have to run slow to Chelsea, and
then could get out OF their way; noticed signal
light at Chelsea, did not notice any train ahead
OF me; it was thick and toggy; headlight was in
good order. Could not tell what distance |
could see; the fog seemed to hang in clouds
heard no whistle until l heard the Pullman
train; whistled at crossings; did not have any
conversation with Rowland at time of accident.
From my position could not see train behind,
under some conditions can see train approach
ing. My duties are to keep a lookout ahead
aud behind; saw the ruins after the accident.
Am acquainted somewhat with the mechanism
L OF boiler. Do not think boiler exp,o1ed. Did
not compare watches when l consulted with
other engineer Ii train is delayed on road am
supposed to help 1T along. Stopped at Char
town as it was considered safe for me to run in
Did not notice signals at Revere; was ordered
to stop there regardless of Signals; the train
that came behind me was Beverly train and
train behind that Pullman train. Am familiar
with time tables of road; supposed ON account
of Saugus train being delayed would cause
scarcity of cars, which prevented making IN
the train that left before Pullman train; felt no
anxiety in regard to train behind, as they must
keep out of way; think conductor should have
left notice at station Tor Pullman train. Some
engines will hold better than others when they
are reversed: think it would take 1.2 or two
minutes to run between Chelsea ana Revere.
Should think collision took place in l minute
alter stepping at Revere; understood cenduc-
tor Rowland to say Pullman train was behind
There was no inquiry made at Saugus if | had
a red light. had red light. Object in hitch
ing on my engine was to help them along
FASTENED the speed on a straight track SO as
not to bother Pullman train. Am acquainted
with sBrown, engineer of the Pullman train
have known him six years; know him to be a
man of good moral character; never knew him
TO use liquor. Noticed the cond: tiOn OF train
after collision; appeared to be broke apart and
on fire. Do not know how much difference OF
time between my train and Pullman train; did
have an impression that l must hurry up from
-4sse WIZ tfeocSs upon
that; have had no conversation with any ono
| in regard to collision; have not been approach
ed by counsel for Eastern K. r. in regard to
| my testimony. might give
| Jas Corey sworn Reside in Salem; am en-
| ployed as fireman on the Eastern Railroad
| run on the engine Rock port; have been on two
| years; was on Aug. Doth; left Boston at quar-
ter past 2 for SwampscoE, and then to New
| buryport and returned to Boston; stopped al
Prison Point bridge; went on time table
omitted their run to Everett and stopped there
by signal, man with lantern; do not know how
| long l stopped, perhaps three quarters of al
| hour; first saw the Beverly train near Somer
| vile; directions were given to go back ant
stop the Beverly train; engineers had some
| conversation aud wanted Brown to hitch on
which was done, and to Everett where W,
were stopped one minute, next at Chelsea ON,
and half minutes; did not know that til,
| Pullman train came in sight; stopped at Re
| we're one and half minutes 10 let off passen
passengers; the collision occurred alter con
ductor sung out sail right The balance o
the evidence was corroboratve of the engineer
The inquest adjourned until tomorrow.