Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-17

hiohll VI WV Wilto DtlllR utfWu anu ulu
reported the fact To the company,
George T.. Raymond. the operator at
police station, and Henry W. Mills, a
druggist, NJ Tenth and Market Streets gave
similar testimony in reference to tho wires
being down.
At / o'clock, court adjourned until 2.3o
p. IN.
John l.. Porter was the first witness
called by Mr.. Bird at Thursday after
Moons session of court in the case Of
John +. Cook vs.. the Wilmington City
Electric Company.
lie was at Kecley's the evening before
the accident and started for home at 055
o'clock. As he was going out the door
he noticed sparks flying from the cleo
trio light wiro and called Keeloy's atten-
ton to it. He afterwards saw the wire
break and saw it emit sparks when IL
fell on the ground. lie saw Cook the
next morning at the time of the acct
dent, and was present when he was
taken from the wire.
William Gardner said that he is well
acquainted with Cook, but had not seen
him for some time, until about two
months after the accident. AT that time
Cook had his arm in sling, and told
the witness how he had been hurt with
nm electric wire, He said that his side
and back were injured, and his oyeslght
badly impaired.
Charles Zcigler, upon being sworn,
testified that he has known John Il.
Cook for IA long time, and that after he
was hurt, he saw him frequently at his
fathers house. lie had often heard him
complain OF his side, head and back,
and heard him say that his eyesight was
badly injured.
George Leach, who for 10 years was
foreman at William Bush's morocco
shop, testified that he employed Cook
some five years ago, and that he was a
good workman.
AT the request of Mr.. Bird the witness
examined Cooks left hand, and said it
was his opinion that he would never be
able to work at lis trade again.
Mr. Bird said he would rest for the
present, and Mr. Hotfcckcr made his
opening to The jury. After describing
tho method of furnishing electricity for
lights, and the different kinds Of lights,
he said he would show that at the time
Of the accident the wire was not lying
in the path, but had been coiled up 10
one side, by Cooks brother.in law, and
that il was out of the way and would
ing in the path, He said that he would
also show that Cook is a young man Of
Incorporate habits, and never did sup
port his wife in proper manner. He
then commenced the examination of
witnesses.
Samuel N. Trump, the president Of
the electric light company, testified that
Us he was on the way TO his office the
morning after the accident, he saw some
of the company's men working with the
broken wire. AS he approached them,
he saw one Of them push the wire from
him, and the witness remarked that the
current was on. The men quit work
until the current was turned OIL. The
men frequently handle the wires while
the current is on, although it is against
tho rules Of the company for them to do
So rs there Is danger of them being
burned. Upon learning Of the accident
to Cook, the witness went to his house
and found him suffering with badly
burned hand. lie told Cooks wife 10
secure the best doctor she could, SO that
he would have every attention possible.
The next day he called again, and found
that Cooks mother had dressed his hand
with an ointment or salve, which
she had prepared herself Cooks
wife said That it came very hard on
| them, as he had been out OF work for a
long time before he secured place in
the railroad shops, and the witness
thinking that perhaps they were in need
offered Cook $40 or SIS, which he de
clined to accept. lie also told Cook
| that as soon as he felt able to come &c
the company's works he would find
something for him to do, and put hi;
name on the payroll, but he never came
He did not do this in the way of making
II settlement, as he had nothing to dc
with that; that was the company's bust
ness, and all that lie offered to do wa,
through, sympathy, and the money
| would have to come out Of his Owl
pocket.
The first question Mr.. Bird asked OF
the INSTRUMENTATION was;
"llow much money have you in tn,
companyr
81 do not know that has anything /,
do with the NATTER" replied the witness
"Oh, Yes il has" said Mr. Bird, "ant
before | get through with you I'll SHOW
you that 1t has great deal to do Will
ii, and I'll get your answer"
Nh. Bird cited several authorities 4
show that the question was a prope
one, and the court decided tina: tile Wit
ness must answer. lie then said that H.
owned 100 shares Of stock, valued at $5
each, or a total CT $4,000 lie also nd
mittcd that his salary as president i
81 500 a year
"lou went into this company to max
money, did you not?" inquired Mr.. Bird
well, no, that was not my spccio
desire"
"Did You 60 into it for gl9ry?"
Yes partially so, and" partial,
to make money" said Mr.. Bird.
"Now have your answer. Yot
went into this enterprise for glory an,
to make money, and I'm glad You ad
milted it, reioined Mr. Bird.
The witness then continued, and il
answer TO Mr. Birds searching ques
tians, said that he had heard of me
being injured and killed by Glectri
wires, but did not thing there was
wire in this city that was charged heav,
enough to do anyone an injury. b
this he wished to be understood as say
ing that il depended in great measur
on the condition of the individual, rs
if he was weak, broken wire NIGH
Kill or iniure him, while it would nc
have any such effect on 4 strong person
He did not think il possible 70 ador
any system by which u broken wf
could he located, although it might b
done by having q mounted force Of )
men to patrol the 20 circuits continually
He, however, did not consider this nece.
4ary. lie had heard Cooks testimon
and that Of his witnesses, but was doub
full about his being rendered uncor
scious lIe then " . mt ON and describe