Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-28
SCAaBoRo INVESTIGATION.
railroad Commissioner Hear Wit.
nsssss Tsstify Regarding the Boston
4 Maine Disaster.

The investigation into the Scsrbofo acct.
dent on the Boston & Maine Railroad las,
ThnSsdsy, Jan. %. was held before the
rSiiro-d commission Tuesday afternoon
and evening. d. W. Snow, Esq., Of Port
land appeared for the railroad in tbs
capacity Of attorney. There we're ffteer
Witnesses. including VIM. Merritt. superin-
tendent Of the Western Division.
Conductor Cousins Of the train run into
from the rear by the wild engine. unde,
charge OF engineer Bonney. was the frat
witness. Left Portland for Biddefovd
under orders from Superintendent Merrill
At l0.i5. Was probably little late from
Portland. Stopped two minutes at the
Searboro junction, next at Scarboro beach,
where the accident occurred. First hesrd
was some one calling out that something
was coming. Then saw locomotive come
out from under the bridge. about 300 feet
distant. Could see engine distinctly add
persons on the engine could see HE train
distinctly. Said it was possible If engine
under control might havs been stopped.
Had no time to warn passengers.
Engine ran into rear car IS far as forward
driving wheels, Morning was drizziy and
could not see engine till ii came under the
bridge. Did not think engineer Bonney
could have stopped at the rapid speed he
was going.
George NJ Smith, tn, engineer on
Cousen's train was the next witness. Said
1t was Bouney's custom to 20 ahead OF
Cousen's traia. Heard his foreman say
nd,D hn n.
throttle but the crash came Immediately
y. A. Tibbetts, the fireman of Cousen's
train said he saw baggage master Titcomb
jump out with q flag. He had heard no
whistle. Should have whstled 1000 feet
from the station. The rails were slippery
and did not think the engine was coming
at the rate OF 20 miles al hour from the
bridge 10 the station.
Brakeman Hill OF Cousins train heard
Bonney's whistle. Other testimony similar
to preceding. Baggage Master Titcomb
was the next witness. He heard Bonney e
whistle. Mr.. Smith. recalled, said he head
Boaney say after his engine struck the
train. MY God were you here? thought
YOU were in Bicdeford thought I was
following No. 10" Two section hands who
were at work on the track beyond the
bridge. did not hear Bonney's whistle
The Scarboro Beach station agent heard
no whistle, he ssid; but the baggage master
a. Scarboro testified tina. he heard the
whistle and exclaimed 'Bonney is coming
before he saw the engine.
Mr.. Pemberton, clerk of the road mas
ter. was present st the time Of the acciden,
snd heard Bonney say, Charley. this is
horrible. I don't know, how came to fey
get thu. train. 1t is terrible"
Charles A. Diekett, who was ia the cab
with Bonney, and both sat in front of him
Said there was no talking in the cab. FRS
knowledge of danger was when futile
shouted just before the crash. At the
evening" meeting Superintendent Merritt
produced original order to Bonney, which
told him to run engine wild. and
explained that this running wild
meant that he was to run so az not to con-
flict with other trains. The whole tssti
mony appeared to show that Bonney hsd
forgotten that he was behind this train, al
he was always was in the habit of running
behind No. 20 Mr.. Bonney has beer
almost crszed since the accident and was
unable to be present at the investigation.