Bridgeton pioneer., 1892-02-11
THE INQIEsT.

THE INQUEST.
Acting Coroner E. Milford Appel
gate, accompanied by Prosecutor W.
A. Logue, and PIONEER reporter,
visited Greenwich Monday afternoon
and made diligent inquiry into the
death of the late Daniel M. Sheppard,
Of that village.
1t was an awful and sudden death,
and in consequence the capable JUS
tice Of the Peace felt the responsibility
resting upon him and acquitted him
self admirably.
In these cases it is seldom that blame
can be attached to anyone, and yet a
community like Greenwich, having the
highest. personal regard for man like
Mr.. Sheppard, demand the fullest pos
sible investigation, and if there is
blame attached to anyone they want it
asserted and the responsibility placed
where It belongs.
Conld the accident have been
averteds Did the employees of the
Railroad Company give the usual sig
nals' Did they use the necessary pre-
caution to guard against accidents2
Did the engineer attempt to stop the
train when he saw the inevitable just
before him? An ipstant's slowing up,
would have allowed the wagon carry
ing Mr.. Sheppard to pass with its oc-
cupant unharmed, for the horse and
part of the wagon was already across
the rails when the carriage was struck.
All these are important questions,
and it was for the inquest to develope
them.
Eye witnesses were produced who
know all about the accident. Resi-
dents nearby the Bowentown crossing
were called, who solemly testified that
the engines frequently passed this road
without giving the required signals.
A special officer of the Railroad
Company was present during the in
quest looking after the interests of the
corporation.
Constable Ayars returned to Coroner
Appellate these estimable gentlemen,
who were promptly sworn as jurors:
John Tyler, Jr., Morris Goodwin,
Heratio w. Bacon, Job s. Watson,
Samuel NJ. Watson, Charles T. Jones,
Isaac Reeves, Job Bacon and William
8. Bacon.
After the jury had viewed the body
at the late residence, the gentlemen
returned to the Presbyterian Chapel,
where the inquest was held, and DIR.
T. J. Smith, of this city, was called.
Prosecutor Logue conducted the ex-
animation.
The physician stated that he attend
ed Mr.. Sheppard after the accident,
and knew directly he had made an ex-
animation that the man was mortally
wounded. He described the nature
of the wounds as has already been told
in these columns. He declared death
due to concussion of the brain, caused
by very severe external blow upon
the head.
Engineer John Manion, of Manches-
ter, this State, was called. He said he
was In charge of Engine IS on this day,
running train No. 44S, northbound
from Buena Vista. He has had an ex-
periencs of eight years as an engineer,
and had been running an engine since
he was sixteen years old.
On the day of the accident his train
was approaching the Bowentown
crossing at rate of speed of twenty
five miles an hour. At point $50 or
400 yarls from the road crossing he
gave tie usual signal, and the head
breaknan, who was In the locomotive
cab. rang the bell. The engineer
did notice the wagon at all until it
was directly upon the track. The
breaknan and fireman, had called out
to him before reaching the crossing,
"Look out Jack, here comes q wagon"
He then gave the danger signal, and
when be saw the man drive upon the
track, 10 whistled down the brakes
and pu: on the air, stopping his train
was baked up, the injured man put
In the aboose and brought to Bridge
ton.
Willi1m b. Ross, the conductor,
whose lome Is at Red Bank, was next
called. He testified that he was busily
engaged In fixing up some way bills In