The Morning herald., 1878-07-02
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
A TERRIBLE BLUNDER.
THE SEQUEL TO THE DIsAsTEI
Browne Confession to Placing the
Tie ON tho Track = No Mer.
cenary MOtlves-The COrO,
ner's Inquest


The Coroner's inquiry into the Claymont
accident was resumed at $50 O'Clock, yes>
terday morning, in the Directors room at
the P, W. & B. R. R. Attorney General
Pennington was present. s7s rs.!
Samuel Phillips, the conductor, sworn:
The train was four minutes behiud time.
and running at the rate of 45 miles per
hour; I was in the smoking car when a
slight shock occurred which first attracted
my attention; this was followed by con-
siderable humping and shaking; several
passengers started for the door but before
they reached It, crash came. and the
train was arrested violently In its progress;
ran out and started the hind brakeman up
the track with red light to stop the freight
train which follows, and then went to the
head car and sent the head brakeman to
stop any thing coming that way; after
some time ] met the man Brown; he touch
cd me on the shoulder and throwing up his
hand, said; "my God I dill all 10 my pow
er to save the train p On inquiry he said
he had found q cross-tie on the track
and tried to move 1t, but failed, and then
tried to signal the train. Mr. Phillips then
spoke of writing telegram to MIR. Kenney,
IN Philadelphia, for help, and sending It to
Linwood by Mr.. Hurley. He also described the
wreck. and the condition under which the
dead men were found. Immediately after
the first jar he felt second, which was
partially caused by the putting on of the
air brakes.
VIM. Il. Hurry, Jr., was next sworn
/ reside 1 of mile below Claymont and
$50 yards back from Railroad; at about
1910 my attention was attracted by the
violent blowing off of steam, and ran to the
scene of the wreck; (here describes the
wreck) did not see Brown at the time Of
the wreck or afterwards; do not know
him.
sanl Phillips, recalled: A passenger
told me he saw three or four men pass
the track talking unconcernedly, and who
paid no attention to the wreck; no acct dent
would have happened but for the obstrue-
ton.
Edward G. Bradford, Jr.: Was on the
train and noticed slight conclusion, which
might have been the putting On of the air
brakes; q moment after this q shock and
soon crash which brought us to stand
still; after viewed the wreck went back
to see tbs cause; found large tie lying
beside the track, over two hundred feet
from whore the locomotive struck; the
track was In perfect order and I could see
no evidence OF the tie aving been wedged
In; (the tie was shown and identifed;) did
not see Brown.
Edward Lawson; sworn: Am Sta
ton Agent at Claymont; heard escaping
steam and saw red light; saw light approach;
heard train coming down; signalled, and
stopped it, the man with red light ap-
preached, and said No. 67 was all gone;
lid not notice whether the Southern Ex-
press was on time, but think it was; the |
north bound train passed at 1905; heard |
noise of escaping steam about six minutes |
Afterwards; on going down to the wreck met |
Philips, the conductor; looked under the |
baggage car in the ditch; saw body of the |
engineer nearly buried In the earth; saw a \
piece of a cross-tie along side of the track. |
Mr.. P. told what Brown had said. Brown \
came ND and told bis story; walked up to
,ulvert and showed us how the tie had been |
placed; he Said he started to 60 to Phila-
lelphis, got off at Chester, and rode back |
his way, when the man with whom he was
riding turned off into the country; when he,
Prowu\. mot ant an1 tnnlr
nan told me the next train for Wiming-
;on stopped at Claymont at II 80; l start
ID to walk to Hollyoak; found the cross
lie; wasn't able TO move it; heard a
whistle up the road; ran and waved my
handkerchief, but failed to stop the train
At123O the jury took recess. and re-
assembled ut 1.30.
Mr.. Lawson, continued N by 10A
inches was the size of the hole In the cul-
'ert; the end of tae cross-tie was 1OA by
inches; the tie might have been placed In
t; don't think the tie could be wedeed In
% that It ceuid not be extricated.
Harry Hurley; sworn: Live near Clay
mont heard escaping steam; went down;
ound the fireman under the engine; saw
lin taken out; he was still alive
G. A. Cook and Warren Benerman,
orroborated the testimony of Mr.. Hur-
ey.
At this point in the proceedings, all but
he jury were requested to retire from the
DOM, and when the doors were opened
gain, It was found that the jury had
greed to visit the scene of the accident
lear Claymopt.
At 2 80 the jury, 10 company with H. F.
lenney, G. A. Dutton, the prisoner, Brown,
nd Franklin and Taggart, two Philadelphia
electives, went up to the scene Of the
7reck, and Brown confessed to having put
he cross-te on the track and showed how
was placed. He first put 1t under rail
nd rested it, He said he did so to warn
be train AID get situation.
On the return Of the train to the depot q
hort delay was made, and at 8. 80 it started
D New Castle, and upon arrival there the
lry assembled in the Court room. Brown
,as brought in, and Attorney General Pen
ingtsn stated to the prisoner that as he {
ad no counsel whatever the statements he
lade must be voluntary. Brown then
rocesded to make full confession, which {
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