Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-11-23
THE C0RONER'S INQUEST.
investigation Into the Causes Of the
Accident. Testimony Of the Wit
nesses. Verdict Of the Jury.

AAass evening, ABOUT quarter past seven
OcbOok, the jury Of inquest, in the case of the
recent accident on the r., w. Il B. X. r., as
sembled in the Directors room at the Depot
to investigate the causes of the Accident
which led to the death Of Mr.. Henry e. Fritz,
on Friday morning. The following witnesses
We're examined
Anthony Rue, sworn-Am conductor on the
train which leaves Philadelphia at II 30; p. M,
left on time, last night but when about q mile
north of Chester, the throttle valve of the en-
gine broke, and the train had to stop: walked
TO Chester, and there met the train on the
ed the engineer that 1 would want his en-
gine; he took his train down to Lamokn, and
then came back after my tram, and we started
again; we were. detained at Chester about
% minutes: left Chester at 10, and
made the usual time, OF 80 to So miles an hour,
until near Ellerslie; reached 'Ellerslie at 1885,
and remained there until within few minutes
OF four; the collision occurred within about 14OO
feet Of the station; the usual signals had been
given, and man had been left at Ellerslie
station, TO warn the approaching night train;
expected then, to run right into Wilmington,
and did not suppose the train would be delay
ed, until it stopped and then found that the
steam had given out; the other train was about
5000 feetaway when first was aware of its near
approach would consider that sufficient dis
tance, under ordinary circumstances, in which
tO stop train; the man at Ellerslie, started
up the track with the signal lantern. the train
laid below the station or minutes before
the collision occurred; we were at ClaymOnt
nine minutes ahead Of the other train, and
4 had nothing occurred, would have arrived In
Wilmington fifteen minutes ahead, as we were
making better time than their time card called
for; suppose the messenger was about 2OS
yards north of the station, when he met the
other train, or about 1000 feet away; by the
rules Of tho company, In case OF danger, the
signal light should be sent back distance of
do tn a N trov
the engineer did not inform me of the loss Of
s.eam, until the train stopped.
(MeSsrs. II. F. kenney and Jos. X. Bring
hurst. here entered the room and requested
permission to remain. as representatives OF
the Railroad. Several of the jurymen raised
collections, but on motion Of Mr.. Crook, they
were allowed to remain.)
There was not then sufficient steam in til.
boilsr 70 move the train on the al ding; do no
know what made the steam 60 down. ther
started back but had not time enough to war;
the passengers Of their danger; the through ex-
pres b due At Clayton at 1885; the collisslo.
occurred between l:S9 and LAO; Was going Il
the rear Of my train at the time; have no douh
i that the sgnal light OF the messenger was seeI
BY the engineer ofthe other train.
Dr.. ]. X. Kane testified that he examine,
the body Of George Pollitt, COL, at the depot
about four O'Clock, A. NJ; his right leg va
broken, and the left apparently torn of, near tn
knee; he was living at first, but died in fe,
ninutes; conAidered that his death resulted frou
he shock. .-~t tIa.
Mr.. Hsnry G. FritE was dead when he frs
saw him; there were some severe confusion
about the lego and body. and the hip and shoul
der blade Of the right side were dislocated; ther
was 70 evidence Of injury to the brain or G
hsnhorrhage; considered that his death ais
lssnltsd from the shock.
Joseph Daniels, sworn-Am brakesman o
ths l1:S0 p. N. tIain from Philadelphia; whe
~ trsia stopped Al Ellenlie. jumped of an
vsat back about $50 or 200 yards; ] then hear
lhe train coming, and heard the whistle bo'
los down brakes, before the engiae rounded or
could ~ the headlight; when it came in siel
s I wsvsd ny red light; the whistle for dow
brakes was then blown two or throe times; whe
ths train passsd me, the engine was reverse'
and The bsakss were on the second and thr
car; stood there until heard the collision, an
then walked about thses qua.tsrs Of mile u
. ths track, and stopped the freight train whic
~ following, aud then rode back u the seer
ofaeeideat, and went 10 work; The express trai
4, ,vas about thrss quarters Of mile away frol
cur tsaln, when heard the first whistle Il
/ dovn heakes; il IVES about thresor four mlnut,
lron he time I heard the first whial
uasil I heard the oollialoo; don't kno