The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-18
THE OLD COLONY DISASTER.
Ing TELEGRAPH TO THE HEaALD.1

ny TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD1
QUINCY, Mass., Oct. IL. 1873
The Investigation OF tho Causes which led 70 the
Wollaston disaster closed to-day, and tho judge
nouneed that the decision would be rendered Ocso.
Dor rs
Richard Sisson. assistant conductor on the sx-
oursion train. said he heard alarm whistle, but
ic tho shock OF the collision; after the acct.
dent he sent William Ferguson, q brakeman, TO the
rear with . red light; there wore seven eight
brakeman the train; ne say . "lincman'' BY the
OF Pike, and had him '9ap" tho telegraph line
and have telegraph instrument put In; AS near ~
no could sse the end OF tho attached 10
the freight engine about two icngths
south oil the end Of the train, each
its own track; then went the head Of the train
did the condition OF the switch should shink
hour; we stopped Just before rounding the long
curve coming upon Quincy; saw no switch lighsK
He testified tuat tnore were l099 people on the Cars
MISTAKE MADE
Mr. J. X. kcndricx, superintendoat OF the Old Col
ony Railroad. testified 10 the result OF the expsr
ments with tho Railroad Commissioners a. previously
detailed Ia the HERALD; they placed locomotive on
tho outward Track, approximately as the freight
engine was piaccd ut the tme OF the sccto~ns;
she headlight soon alter leaving QUINCY,
but tho switch lights could not be distinguished
not easily detected until WITHIN short distance Of
!. on account OF the headlight Of Inc engine;
ina. a" ens,us easy Stationed =. the .csns .f
tho disaster v.s rounding tho curve ~ A.
.no .cu as rsa a.s ,wey moSss ps. ,oai
r. NJ the day oil tho accident had The right Of way
70 the city; was supposed tnat toe red light being
swung tho engine could havo been sscn had shcre
bcon hosd right tncro the train, he supposed.
could Avo boon stopped In season 20 avert an -
cidenI
TESTIMONY ACCUSED ENGrSRER
Charles Ii. Hartxeli, the conductor Of she freight
ana stated that be was perfectly willing 10 testify
although no could NOT DO made to do SO Ne stated
ssses on os NM Sa a. m
train 70 pass over tho road, but supposed that had
reached zoe cty already. as certain freight
down nearly on uns iii no reached tho sidiug as
wailastdh gravel pits. and switched or 10 take on
detached from the train aud sent after tho
on the side track, tho switch being turned; thoro
wore three couplings necessary, and before the work
finished he noticed the headiight Of an engine
coming down.
AN usrRus suprosIriox
He saw red light swinging ahead, and supposed
that would stop the train; tho engine had already
crossed on 70 the outward track and ne close the
switch, when tho tram wont rushing ~ MIN aud he
soon knew that there had boon terrible wreck; one
OF his brakesmon had been taken sick that mornins
addition to his own, which had been done
before; u was the engineers place. no regarded u,
might have utilized to swing tho lantern, as provided
Tor IA signals nothing could be aonc by him that hs
knew OF to avert The accident. tho tram no supposed
had been signnllei to stop. and no was Astounded
whom ~ came down upon hui-
OTHER wfrNKssks CONTRA DfCTEn
On cross examination he acknowledged that ne ais.
ooeycd orders 10 not receiving another brnkemAn;
thai no might have douo had he asked for one ne
denied the story OF conversation held with
the engineer ana fireman his locomotive to tho
effect that he ATTEMPTED 10 turn tho switch and CT.
claimed nj that time shat had no had two minutes
moro he could have averted the dire disaster. He
strongly asscvorated that he supposed, and had
cvcry reason 10 belicvo, that shc proper
ary measures had boon takon Tor informing tue
coming train tuat way not clear; he stated
that he cvu with safety have jun ped IRON the
cur on whicn he rode out OF the pit
In order to have turned tho switcn; he
| explained that the scrstcnss his banda
alleged have been caused In hurriodly turning me
SWITCH resulted from slight accident handling .
| barrel ct vinegar the Saturday previous.
Hsrwclis wife called aud testified 10 his hav-
ting reported TINS same euhsr Saturday Monday pre-
ccdng the day of the hoc,dont ana that noticed
| The marks previous 10 tho accident