Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-01

The Coroner's Jury Render Their Viz.
dict.

kENSEBCNk, Jan. 81.
At an inquisition held at Wells, and by
adjournment to Kennebunk. both within the
county OF York. the Sd, 9Th, 9th, 7th, 10th,
18th, Goth, and 2lst days of January, A. d.,
1882, before Jefferson W. Sargent, one of the
coroners of said county, upon view of the
body of James c. Hodgdon, there lying dead,
BY tine oaths of Addison E. Haley, Marcus
Watson, John Cousens, Joseph Parsons,
Henry F. Curtis and George yarney. good
and lawful men, who being charged and
sworn to inquire for the State when, how and
by what means said James c. Hodgdon came
by his death, upon their oaths say that said
James c. Hodgdon came to his death on the
second day of January. A, d., 1882, at said
Wells. on account of injuries received that
day, occasioned by the car in which he was
then and there being conveyed by the Bos-
& Maine railroad falling, with other cars of
the train, through the bridge of said railroad,
at said Wells, spanning the highway from
Wells to Kennebunk, called Boothby's
bridge. The broken bridge was an askew
structure placed on stone abutment, and was
composed of iron, which having been tested
since the accident showed quite per cent.
of crystalized iron, and some portions of said
iron, so tested, did not stand the practical
test it was submitted to by certain iron ex-
perts while other portions showed good ten
sile strength.
We find that said bridge was composed OF
iron of quality originally too inferior for
structure of that style and dimensions, or
that its quality had become deteriorated by
use or other causes. Scientific evidence be-
fore us differing as to whether capitalization
of said iron pre-existed or was produced by
use and other causes, we express no opin-
ion as to which view is correct. We further
find that the breaking of said bridge was
caused either by the weight of the engines
attached to said train and the conclusion pro-
duced by the speed of the same, over said
bridge, or by the shock caused by the bag
gage car of said train being possibly derailed
and running on the sleepers of said bridge,
which fact is questioned by part of said
jury. But either or both of which causes in
our opinion said bridge should have been
sufficiently strong to have withstood, there
being no evidence, in our opinion, sufficient
to Justify a belief that any part of said train
came in contact with the truss of said bridge
before it gave away.
We further find that said corporation has
used all usual diligence in the inspection and
care of said bridge, and find no occasion for
censure in that respect. We think it appar-
ent that any overhead bridge spanning a
roadway as did the bridge in question and
placed on abutments at an angle other than
a right angle, is relatively weaker and its life
much shorter than one spanning such road
way and placed on abutments at right angles,
but the right to defect such roadways to IA
ciitate the crossing overhead by railroads
being in the county commissioners or mu-
nicipal officers, the jury suggest that such
questions might more fifty be determined BY
the railroad commissioners of the State. they
constituting court of more special knowl-
edge and experience, and that a change in
the laws applicable thereto is desirable
We hereby commend the spirit of fairness
manifested and valuable assistance rendered
Us by said cooperation, through its counsel.
Geo. c. leaton, Esq, during this investiga-
ton. In testimony whereof the said Coro.
ner and the Jurors of the inquest have here
to set their hands and seals this 3lst day of
January, 1882.
(Signed) Addison f. Haley, Marcus
Watson, John COusens, Henry F. Curtis,
Joseph Parsons, George Varney. J. W. Sar-
gent Coroner.