The New York herald., 1872-07-11
THE SOUTHSIDE RAILROAD COL.
LISBON.
Inquest Over Two OF tho Victims Before
Coroner Whitehill, Brooklyn.

Inquest Over Two OF tho Victims Before
Coroner Whitehill, Brooklyn.
An inquest was commenced yesterday afternoon
In the COrOners' Hall OF the Brooklyn Morgue, touch
ing the cause Of the death of Mrs. Nelson Row and
her son, Frank W. Row, who were injured
on the Southside Railroad in the collision
which occurred on that line on the 4th
OF July, and subsequently died. Coroner Whitehn
conducted the investigation before jury of un
usual intelligence. Among the jurors were notice
able Colonel Charles w. Morton. ex-Alderman Gun.
ingham, william w. Armhed, Ed. A. Murphy,
ex-supervisor Marvin Cross, DR.. Cooper and ex-
Sheriff A. B. Hodges. There were but few present
other than the witnesses who were subp9naed to
attend.
passenger on the train from Rockaway, Mr.. r.
A. Braley, was the first witness examined. He
testified that it was about five O'Clock when the
train on which he was arrived at the terminus Of
the double track, when the train came to a stop.
After stopping for fifteen minutes the train ran
on the single track, and witness looked out
OF the window and saw cOmmOtOn among
those whom he supposed were employees. There
was evidently great deal OF excitement going on
at the time; noticed young man run toward the
flagman and take the flag; witness then stepped
out and saw man throwing sand on the track and
q man waving red flag; heard whistle blow at
the same moment (when there drew a diagram of
the position OF the trains at that time,
which was shown to the jury: the train
whistled twice in rapid succession; it was about
half minute after this that the collision occurre d
think that if Conductor Lynch had sent flag
man around the curve no collision could have Oc-
Cured as the other conductor would have seen it;
the flag man was standing about the
centre Of the curve when I saw him;
after. the collision l assisted in extricating
Mrs. Row nom between the cars. The witness re-
peatedly asserted that 1t was his impression the
diffculty could have been 0bvated had proper pre-
caution been taken by the railroad company. Mrs.
Mas nnr except e those %ho we're on tine
platform OF the car. The Coroner asked
the witness whether he recognized any Of
the room whereupOn witness said he did, and
pointed out Conductor Lynch, who had charge of
which he was passenger on the Fourth. He did
not observe Mr.. Lynch assisting the wounded; he
might have been about but witness did not see him;
Conductor Lynch was perfectly sober and drank no
liquor so far as he could judge.
Mr.. John J. lIainey was the next witness called,
and testified that he remained in the until the
collision occurred: he heard two whistles blowing;
could not say by which train; he was standing up
when the collision took place and fell on the seat;
he COrrObOrated the testimony OF Mr.. Braley,
Mr.. John G. Kennahan testified that lie was on
the train which started from Williamsburg about
five O'Clock on the Fourth, and when near Long
Meadow he heard the whistle blow; heard another
sharp whistle to put down brakes, and, looking
out the window OF the second car, In which ne was
seated, he saw number OF people running across
the lot, apparently from Lynch's train; the
collision occurred moment after, and the
shock was very slight; he was not thrown as far
forward as he was when they first put down the
breaks; did not see any flag before the collision,
neither did | see the other train; have known
conductor RathbOne five six years. should say
he was sober when saw him; both conductors and
the 0flcials generally appeared TO be very busy
after the accident in ministering to the wants of
the passengers; they were so busy that they would
not answer questions, while they quietly submitted
to good deal of abuse.
James b. Curvedey testified that he was fire.
man on the engine IL. o. Colt on the SOuthside
road, on the Fourth; when the train on which he
arrived at the double track they stopped about
four minutes; the conductor, Mr.. Lynch, came
held 1t in his hand until the four minutes
were up; he then said to the engineer,
Thomas Cady, "Our allotted time is up,
and we have right to proceed;" the
track; when the engine and one or two cars had
got on the single track the switch man shouted out,
81 think hear them comingp' the engineer then
whistled "Down brakes |" and blew three times to
jumped OF and put sand on the track;
but 1t had no effect: while thus engaged
he saw the other engine come up and collide
with his train; 1t was not over two minutes rom
the double track until the collision took place; ne
didn't hear the whistle until the turn around the
curve. half a minute before they cOllided; there
were five cars on this train; no effort was made
the train from Williamsburg was coming, so
far as he knows; witness said OF his own
knowledge he knew that In the four minutes they
stopped on the double track they should nave Deen
in Bushwick; the up train was late; we were on
time; the cause OF the delay was TO allow Tor varia-
tion Of watches, as prescribed by the rules Oh the
road.
The inquest was then adjourned until four O'Clock
This afternoon when the Jurors will re-aSsembie in