The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-20
The FUNERALS TO-DAY.
Sad Scenes for the Friends of the
lonsdaIe Victims.
THE SERVICES IN PAWTUCKET.
Public Opinion I'm Regard to tho Grade
Crossing which Was the Cause of the
Accident as Expressed by Those Who
Realize the Horror.

Four Of the victims of the Lonsdale
railroad-crossing fatality-those of Mary
Hamilton, William Henry Draper, Mary
Ann Faucette and Annie Wilson-were
to day conveyed TO their last resting
place by their weeping relatives aud a
host of sympathizing friends.
The funeral ceremonies over the re-
mains or Mary Hamilton took place at
o'clock this morning at st. Mary IS
Church. High requiem mass was held
by the Rev. Father McKenna, celebrant.
Gregoriau's requiem high mass was sung
by the ch DIR. with the solo, "Jesu Nj. F"
at the offertory, by Miss McGinn, and
another by James McStsy
The Young Ladies' Sodality, a society
to which the deceased belonged, attend
ed the services in large numbers. At the
close OF the mass the hymn, 30 Mar ia, T"
Vas sung by the choir. The remains
were escorted to Mount st. Mary's Gem
etery by large following of relatives
and friends, Messrs Lawrence Hogan,
Johu Murphy, John Sullivan. Richard
Holm, John Harrington and Thomas
Muldowney serving as bearers. The floral
tributes included massive Gates
Ajar" inscribed "Shopnates." from en-
ployes in mill No. of the j. 81 p. Coates
Thread Company; pillow inscribed
'DauRnter, WTetLnts IRON tDc slSkeFS
of the deceased and friends employed at
the hat factory; bunch OF callas from
the Coates Thread Company's employees,
and "a basket from the school Children at
St. Mary's Par lchial School.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon the funeral
services over the remains Of Mary Ann
Faucette and Annie Wilson were held
from the corner of Mason and Beatty
streets, where both resided. The Rev.
j. j. Wooley conducted the ceremonies.
At the same hour the ceremonies over
William Henry Draper were held at bis
late residence on Cherry street, the Rev.
Theodore b. Foster officiating. Mr..
Draper was a member OF the Young
Mems Christian Association and Blue
Bell Lodge of Good Templars, and
members o. both of these organizations
attended. The Young Mems Christian
Association contributed floral triangle,
the emblem of the physical department
of the association.
Intermeut OF the last three persons was
at the MoslIassuck cemetery, ana the
three were escorted there at the same
time, forming in one pr ~cession.
What Public Opinion Says.
The awful accident at Lonsdale on
Wednesday night has aroused public
discussion of the whole question Of grade
crossings. 1t is generally expressed
opinion that the state has been ne esligeut
in regard TO this subject.
AS the laws now stand. the whole mat
ter Is left to the railroad commissioner
aud to the towa councils aud city coun-
ellis to regulate the crossings in the va
rious districts. The desirabiity Of thus
delegating the power TO the district au-
thorities lies in the fact that each cross
ing is surrounded by such different con-
ditions that no general law can be made
But the difficulty lies, as one gentle
man expressed ii, not in the existing
laws but In the need Of a new law that
shall provide for abolishing all grade
crossings, by some arrangement that
shall be equitable to the state, cities,
towns aud railroads. Rhode Island has
a general law looking to this desirable
end. Neither the town councils nor the
railroad commissioner have the power TO
order a grade crossing abolished. Their
power simply extends to the construction
Of safeguards aud the stationing of flag
men and RatemeD.
There are laws in many of the states
governing this point. The law OF Massa-
chusetts gives the state power to abolish
crossings u. proper notice. The expense
of the work is borne jointly by the rail
roads, the state and the city or town.
The railroad pays about 60 per cent, the
state - per cent, and the town or city 10
per cent of the cost.
In England. aud in general In European
countries, the whole length of the rail-
roads is feuced on every side. and every
crossing is constantly, both night and
day, watched by flagmen and gatemen
The whole line OF the road is patrolled
by guards, and any persons found walk
ing on the track are arrested ana sub
jected TO n fine.
According TO the last report OF the rail
road com missioner there are in this state
245 grade crossings besides many farm
and private crossings. Sixty-six are
guarded by gates aud flagmen, fifty three
by fagmen only, aud at six electric bells
are in use.
There are gates and fagmen at all the
villages and towns along all the lines,
but the latter are not kept on duty
during the night. except ia few in