The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-03-16

JOnn MCCORMICK, Miles Ncfovln, Jacob
Hendricks, Michael Lennon and John
Lennon, standing ON the platform. There
were no women there. There was a short,
sharp whistle blown as the train was on the
culvert. couldn't say which engine blew
the whistle The order board sho we'd
white as those trains passed. 1 did the
best / could. did not, change the board
because thought If the train wouldn't
step for flag it-would not stop for the
order board"
In answer to Mr.. Craig he said he never
used the board to stop trains. Answering
question from air hlcCartmey, he said lac
had not used the board TO stop passenger
trains to let off passengers. Mir. slocum
said section No Z was coming at the rate
OF thirty miles an hour lie waved the red
lantern. One of the engines blew down
brakes, and when they came to the culvert
he expected them to stop, but he kept wav-
ing tho lantern until the wreck occurred.
Several other witnesses were examined.
Dennis Mcclure, Lehigh Valley engineer,
had made several trial trips aud could see
red light about fifty feet above che mile
post, and belieyed that the train corld be
stopped in time TO prevent a collision If
engineer of 452 had tried to stop it.
Engineer Cooks testimony consumed
most of Wednesday. He had been on the
railroad for over twenty years. He said he
had never run regular passenger engine
prior to that fatal night. Had given strict
orders to Lookout Pohl TO observe the
special rules issued by Superintendent
Mitchell. Left Penn Haven junction at
Z 81 o'clock. "My engine" he said, "was
dirt burner with steam brake. Major
had ten-wheel engine with Westinghouse
brake This was in no way connected
with my engine. The lookout had red and
green lights in good order in the end of the
tank. When nearing Mud Run Station /
saw white lights, then some one signaled to
stop. l wbistled down brakes. 1t was
Majors place to try and stop the train.
remained on the engine until she struck
the cars. Major did not apply his brake
prior to the wreck. II he had, the train
could have been stopped"
Joseph Pohl was the next witness called.
1t was expected that he would make some
startling statements but none were made.
He is still suffering from fractured limb
received in the wreck and hobbled to the
witness box on crntches. He remembered
the 10Th of October. He stated that En-
gineer Cook had given him precautionary
instructions in relation to the performing
OF his duty on account of the strictness of
the special orders issued by the company
for the running of the excursion. He saw
two white lights at Mud Run station, when
approaching it and believed therefore that
everything was all right. He did not see
the train ahead until after the danger
signal had beer blown, and then he was
only Jew feet from the wrecked train
when he jumped. He was positive that
there were no red lights displayed at the
station as the train advanced. His
testimony occupied considerable time.
Conductor Keithine, of section Z, testified
to the speed Of the section that it was 60
ing fifteen or twenty miles an hour when
the curb was reached, and that forty five
or fifty miles an hour was only considered a
high rate of speed. Engineers Kelly and
Kemerer and BaKeman jenkins were called
and testified to the character and the rail-
road quall.es of Cook. A number of other
witnesses of secondary importance were
called and examined.
Witness denied that when Major blew two
whistles he put on steam. However, he
said, he put on the reverse and it might
give the exhaust indications. He said be
saw white signals at the mile post, also
saw red lantern shaking in mans hands.
Witness never blew two whistles in response
TO signal. Did not touch the lever after
the accident. Saw that it had been moved
after accident.
Mr.. Mccartney brought out the fact that
there we're no torpedoes on the track.
Lookout Pohl thought If the brakes had
been applied, and the front engine were
not pulling, the train might be stopped al
though going at the rate of fifteen miles an
hour.
Ten witnesses testified to Cooks good
character. Hugh Gallagher's testimony
was the next Of any Importance. Judge
Harvey asked him. Ibid Cook. reverse
his engine when he passed the curveP mo,
sir"
"Why do you say he did not reverse?'
because l would have felt the shock"
"What shock?"
'The shock of the water rushing into
the tank"
The evidence in the case up to Thursday morn.
ing is as above. The case will in all probability
20 to the jury tonight or tomorrow.
STRAY NOTES.
Mercantile Appraiser John Brighton
reports that his duties are almost completed.
Carbon county constables were sworn
in for three year term of service on Mon
dav The new order created considerable
Inconvenience to all the parties concerned
but as it don't happen often it can easily be
borne.
Arizona Joe captivated large audience:
in Concert Hall two nights this week.
Col, John Craig, of Lehlgh Gap, Nathar
Stemler, of rowamensing, and DAME
Rouse, of Weatherly, have been appointed
viewers for the new bridge across the lie
high river az Lehighton.
Ottoman Schmidt, of Wilkesbarre
while walking oRsthe track was struck anC
instantly killed at Mud Run station oil
Monday by a Lehigh Valley passenge
train bearing the witnesses and several o
the defendants in the Mud Run disaste
trials, which are in progress here. Schmidt
body was mangled almost beyond recog
milton This seems TO be a singularly fata
spot. In addition to the terrible collision
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