The New York herald., 1878-10-12
THE OLD COLONY DISASTER.

EVIDENCE SHOWING HOW THE ACCIDENT oC-
cURRED-THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FREIGHT
TRAIN AIREsTED-BURIAL OF THE VICTIMS.
BOSTON, ocL IL 1875
The evidence taken in the investigation by the
Railroad Commiss ners into the of the late
acciden, Old Colony Railroad goes to show that
while Hurlour the engineer the freight train,
crossing the inward track with his iocomo-
tive and Ave cars he discovered the excursion train
approaching at great speed. He put steam and
reached the outward track in safety Al the same tme
swinging red lantern as a warnnof danger TO the
engineers oil the excursion train. Tho lantern
seen py wsstgate engineer OF the Easton, VINO gave
the signal for "fown brakes" At this moment
HartwelL conductor OF the frsignt tram, was run
ming to throw the switch the side track
back to the main line. The swisch
which the Ave empty freight had
passed had been left Open but the switch being what
10 known patent safety, II was thrown back into
its proper place. So far as learned, the evidence
went TO show that at the moment the excursion
train reached the frat switch Hartwell was
In the act OF adjusting the other switch
and had II jus, half the train
reached IL The asnge OF the wheels OF the
engines struck square the end OF the straight rail
where the switch should have joined, aud botn
engines jumped the track. followed by the baggage
cars HartwelL who bad hoid OF the bar OF the
switch, the moment the engines struck the DIS
connected rail, was tnfow0 violently and some
distance into field close by On Thursday evening
the OF the accident was visited by the railroad
commissioners, In company with President Choate
aud Super intendsnt KendrIck. with view OF fully
comprshendpg the state Of affairs at the time OF the
accident A locomotive was run over the switches
20 indicate the passage OF the engine and tue i've
freigb. cars from The siding, and the spot ipd
catsd just where Hurburt s~ung the red lantern to
warn the doomed train. The MISPLACED switch was
then turned half over ana showed red aud white
light, IL did the night OF the accident, and which
vas seen by Urstgate when he was almost on to It,
HARrwkiL ARRESTED.
The Commissioners have made report upon the
accident in which they exouerate the railway CON-
pany aud impute the blame TO Charles II. Hartwsl,
conductor OF the freight train.
Attorney General Train. acting upon evidence taken
by the Com has caused the arrest OF
Charles f. Hsuwsil, conductor Of the freight rrsin,
VINO will be held for exam nation at Quincy. ON The
charge OF manslaughtsr.
oBsEQUIEs or THR VICTIMS
In this city aud IT'S vicinity to-day occurred the fu
neral ceremonies over The remains OF several o tho
Gilman Micnasi y. Wells took place In 81. Joseph's
Church. which was crowded with the iriend Dis rel
atives Of the deceased, several members OF the Legs
ature. the city government aud the Fire Department
The iuneraI services Of James Boyle we're conducted
at ST. Stephens Church, and oi Edward Doneriy At
81 Marys, boln OF wnicn we're filled with sympthizDg
friends.
1hs funeral OF Patrick Reagan, the oarsmap, took
place this forenoon at -. Nary's church, ~ the
Cbarestown district Long before the hour arrived the
church was denseiy crowded aud hundreds thronRcd
the streets await the passage Of the funeral corege
In the church we're large numbers OF boating men,
among them NJ y. DAVIS, Reagan's competitor IN
Tuesdays race, Frencny Johnson and Hosmor. The
services we're conduc ed BY Rev. Father Byrnes. The
floral tributes we're rich and numerous Al the close
OF the service the remains wore borne IRON the
church by pabeafcrs, followed by large number oi
members OF various boat clubs, to The Holy Cross
Cemetery at Maiden. The funeral procession through
"A