The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-24
HEARING IN THE P0RTER-DOW CASE.
witnesses cive Testimony on Both
Sides.
Interesting Proceedings Before the
Fire Department Committee.
The Lawyers VIII Argue the Case
sf Today.

EnJLast night, before the committee on fire
department, hearing was given in the Por
ter Dow case. Mr. Edward w. Porter is the
engineer of steam fire engine No. 1. and M.
Dow, member Of the Common Council. is n
fireman and captain of Engine Company No.
Q On the sd Of last March there was fire
and engine No. / was called out On Middle
street, near King d Dexters hardware store,
Mr.. Dow ran to get on engine No. l, then 60
Ing to the fire. Mr.. Porter, it is claimed,
pushed Mr.. Dow off, causing him to fall,
whereby he sustained injuries that have rem
dered him unable to perform his usual
amount OF work. To Investigate the charges
and to ascertain what can with justice be
done ia the matter, the hearing was called
last night and testimony ON both sides was
taken. Alderman Shaw presided. Seth l..
Larrabee, Esq. appeared for Mr.. Dow, and
Josiah II. Drummond. Jr., for Mr.. Porter.
Mr.. Dow testified under oath that he had
entertained no ill-feellng toward Mr.. Por-
ter. He said that on the occasion of the FIRE
OF March 2Sd he ran to get on the engine lie
succeeded in getting bold ON the coal-box.
with one hand, and au upright post or rod
with the other. His knee and hip rested ON
the engine, but he was not fairly seated ON
1t. He was pushed off by Mr.. Porter and
after trying to save himself he fell headlong
into the street, sustaining injuries that
caused him severe headache and some sick
ness. He testified that as a member of the
fire department lie had a perfect right to get
on the engine or any apparatus of the fire
department when it was not overloaded.
The engine when be attempted to get on was
not overloaded. ~
City Physician King testified that he was
called to attend Mr.. Dow after he fell from
trying to get on the engine, and that he
found him badly shaken up and his body in
a tremor He should judge that his brain
was shaken by the fall.
Ex-Street Commissioner Staples testified
that he was in King &c Dexter's store at the
time and was witness of the whole affair
He said the engine horses were going at
sharp trot. Witness saw Mr.. Dow running to
get on the engine. and saw Mr.. Porter reach
out as II to help Mr.. Dow on. Mr.. Por-
ter made several pushes and at last pushed
with his hand and foot and Mr.. Dow went
off. Mr.. Dow ran 10 or IL feet between the
horse car tracks and then fell
Mr.. Dow got up, said the witness, stag
gered, and came to the sidewalk looking at
his hands. Mr.. Dow had firm hold of the
engine when he was pushed off. The horses
were trotting six or seven miles per hour,
the witness thought. at the time. y.
Mr.. Charles Green saw Mr.. Porter warn
Mr.. Dow to keep off, but didn't see Mr.. Por-
ter kick Mr. Dow. es VI
Mr.. Frank w. Grace saw Mr.. Porter
wrench Mr.. Dow''s hand off the engine.
Messrs. j. W. Barnham. Melvin Wedge
and NJ. j. Glynn all testified to seeing Mr.
Porter push Dow Off
Mr.. Cloyes. chief OF the Fire Department,
testified that it is customary for fremen to
get on the apparatus going to fire, and that
Mr.. Dow had . right to get on the en-
CINE.
Mr.. Dow testified that he did not have on
a iireman's suit at the time, but wore an old
oyercoat that he usually takes with him to
fires, His badge was pinpedion his vest.
-, MT. Porter testified that he. has served as
9reman nearly, 80 years. When passing
down Middle street at the time of the fire
he saw man running to get on the engine
Lie shouted several times to the man, whom
he did not know, not to get on. but he did
not heed him. but continued
running. Witness did not see Mr.. Dow seat
ed on the engine, and did not kick him.
Witness did not push, Mr.. Dow more than
once. The engine was geing or 10 miles
per hour at the time, rather more, the witness
thought, than the usual speed. Didn't sec
anything on Mr.. Dow to indicate that he
was fireman.
Mr.. Charles Gray testified that he did MOI
think Dow got on the engine.
Henry B. Jordan saw Mr.. Dow attempt to
get on the engine. lie did not think Mr..
Dow got good hold Of the engine, and it
appeared to the witness that Mr.. Dow did
not get on the engine at all.
MIR. Charles Bartlett, driver OF the engine.
stated that the horses were going at the rate
Of about or 10 miles per hour at the time,
about the usual speed.
Mr.. Porter testified that he was not ac-
qnainted with Mr. Dow at the time he push
ed him off the engine, and had no means of
knowing lie was fireman.
At this point the hearing adjourned until
today at 4U'clock when the case will be
argued by the lawyers, and decision prob
e'v rendered.