Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-11-18

The Coroner's Inquest Hearing Testimony ~
TO How II was Caused-Tbe Union
Neus Gosposov s,eosured.

News Compsny Ceosured.
The coroner's jury empanelled TO inquire
into the cause of the death Of Joseph Me
Mellen met in the orphans court room at 10
o'clock this morning. Col. Franklin 81
peared for the family OF the boy and H. Nj.
North for the Union News company.
Frank Connolly, who was out cunning and
found the boy on the railroad track, was the
first witness called, and he testified TO that /
fact.
William h. Mowrer, the manager of the |
Union News company, was next examined |
He testified that on last saturday evening |
Joseph McMellen was broughttO him for EN- /
ployment II told him that he had vacancy, |
but he could not tell positively about employ |
ing him until Tuesday. On Monday the boy |
who had been promised the place was taken L
i'll, and as he needed boy he sent TO the |
high school for McMellen on Monday after
noon, He came to the depot and was put to |
work. Before he went TO work witness had |
a talk with the boy and told him the condi
tons under which he could be employed,
one of which WAS the consent OF his
father. McMellen said his father was
out of town but he would bring
him up soon as he returned. He
then instructed him ss to the duties to be
performed, but found the boy knew what
was expected Of him through his intimacy
with boys who were agents of the company.
McMellen was told that he must not get on a
! train when II WAS in motion or get oil while
| the train WAS going.
The boy worked on Monday afternoon and
evening and returned on Tuesday. lie saw
| him get on the second sertiun Of the Day
| Express and did not see him until after the
| accident 1t was rule of the company to
let the parents know when boys
are regularly employed. 1t is requested
| that their consent be obtained when
| they are regularly employ ed on trains where
| there is a chance of their being hurt Nc
| Mellen was distinctly told that ne must take
| no chances, and If anything happened so that
| he could not get of a train, to go thrCuS
| with the train to the first station and return
| on the next train. The boy knew of the dan
| ger of jumping from train, particularly at
| the Plum street crossing, as a companion ol
| his = son Of NJ. '. B Keller, WAS hurt in
| jumping from the train at that point and
| McMellen was a constant visitor at keller's
/ house while he was confined by reason OF bis
| injuries
| John Mclaughlin, of No 2l6 East Walnut
l street, was in hts yard in the rear of his
| house on Tuesday afternoon when the Day
| Express passed lie saw McMe,len about the
l middle OF the train. He was about iurping
| of the train on the north side, but he saw a
| passenger train coming from the east He
l then went to the other side of tine train
, | but could not get of the tram on
| account of the cork factory wall The train
, | was running about 20 miles an hour when it
| passed him. He dld not see MCMellen jump
. | from the train. He had been in the emplC y
l Of the news company and his experience was
that the newsboys had plenfy of time to get
of train after the first warning and before
l the train started.
Charles ZOrtman, who was in the employ
/ Of The Union News company until Saturday
! last, testified tsat all boys VINO went into the
| employ OF the company were instructed a.
to the proper discharge OF their duties by
| Mr.. Mowrer. All were cautioned not to
| take any risks Ot being hurt.
Other newshCvs testified to the same facts
| Or. Compton to the nature OF the boys mi u
l rles and several witnesses 10 assisting in
| taking young McMellen tn the baggage room
! from the Plum street crossing.
L "a a1i i,,Br naIn nj
! | o'clock, Al which hour the train men were
l examined.
D AFTERNooN SESSION OF THE JURY.
j The Jury reassembled at l:5O O'Clock, and
o | the conductor and hsgman of the second sec
l ton Day Express were examined. III.
. ! conductor saw the boy in a smoking car
' | change, and during the dispute the trair
E | started. He did not again see the boy. The
' | hagman's testimony did not throw any ligh
l on the accident.
\ I This closed the testimony, aud Col. Frank
| lin said ne appeared on behalf OF the afflicted
Q | family TO see that all the facts in the cas-,
,t / were brought out, and the responsibility q
; the accident placed where it belonged
Mr. North, on behalf Of Mr.. MOwrer of thu
q Union News company, argued that he haC
| done all in his power 10 avoid accidents b,
q | having given directions to the boy, which, i
carried out, would have prevented the acci
| dent
THE VERDICT
The jury rendered verdict that JOSEPH
= | McMeilen came to his death from iniurie
received in Jumping or falling from a car il
u | the second section OF the Day Express s.
) | while in motion, near the Plum street cross
, | ing on Tuesday, November Is and ",
a | hereby Censure the Union News Compan,
4 | for neglect, in employing deceased withou
hrst procuring the consent OF his parents.