The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-02
ToWERMAN KNOTT ToBLAME,
TEsrTM0NY THAT EHGINEERs USED
TO RUN PAST RED LIGHTS. -


This was Before ne Was In Chsrse-Ney-
.-sheiess for Other Reasons the Ceroner's
Jury Hold Him Atone Respon-ibie for
the Loss Of siHteen Lives at Berlin.
Towerman Robert J. Knott was held without
bail to await the action OF the Queens County
Grand Jury. by Coroner Emanuel Brandon OF
Newtown. last night He had charge OF Block
3 on the Long Island Railroad at Berlin. where
sixteen lives were lost In the midnight col
lision OF Saturday last, when west-tound
Rockaway Beach train pierced the rear end OF
a Manhattan Beach train which had been
held in the block. and was Just get
ting under way again. Tho inquest into
the disaster was finished In the Newtown court
room last evening. The jury found that the
accident occurred between Blocks and q. and
that the accident was due to the criminal neg
ligonce OF Knott who was In charge OF Block D.
The jury exonerated the crews OF both trains
and the towerman In Block o. east Of the scene
OF the wreck. In conclusion the Jury censured
the system OF the Long Island Railroad. which
provides for the calling back OF rear brake
man who goes out from train stopped Tor
any cause to signal any train that may be APP
preaching in the same direction. especially
when the trains are running close together
and the safety OF those on board depends OH q
Engineer Frank Concrite Of the Rockaway
Beach train. Engineer orville +. Donaldson o.
the Maphattan Beach train train, and =, Towsr49in nan
charged from arrest. Knott Is about 20 years
old; During the inquest be was called Cd on to
o1ss e aSslni Rash Of nsysrmaas
sSas sHtn ssS
further investigation. ONeill said he fire..
auently saw trains run through the BLOCK
was displayed from midnight to o'clock in
i n" matter what lie conditions wore on
tho road; Ton night, ago ago he su.s saw a
trains that stopped at the red light had finally
crept cautiously down tho Track to the signal
tower. where they blow their whistles until the
towerman gave them tho signal to go ahead.
Signals. o'Seiii said he had remarked to the
Better go down and wake him up. unless
you want to stay there all night" o,,.m
On seyera 81 ths s iw N e s aS
the N 20 inside It was his belief that the siG.
nal man was asleep. he said he also knew q
w VII they went OIL lie often saw !, red light
shown after the, train got inside the block;
sG Sss BLOCK aen said to h@ @ the 0
tho yns Of Of M Se rasesa
state, Of Affairs to the company. witness replied
he he'll had removed from the tracks. and met with
such srant courtesy that he concluded he had
better stay away. On further examination it
was shown that Knott. in whose block these
incidents took place. was, new man; and that
the Irregularities related by the witness oc-
Cured before he was placed in charge Of the
block. .
Towerman Charles w. Hessner Of Block q
testified that on the night OF the accident he
on first receiving tho signal from Tower that
that block was clear When the ira n entered
Block s he received the customary signal. also
one Informing him that the block was closed.
During an interval OF one and half minutes
bells as to the condition OF Block 5. and on tho
clear. He then threw open his block for the
Rockaway Beach train. and about one and a
half minutes later heard the crash. The crash
was Immediately followed by signal that
Block 5 was closed.
the Manhattan Beach train. told about his
going bnrk with the danger signal and then
Being called in before the train started;
The investigation will be completed when
those victims OF the wreck who died in the
hospital IN Long Island City.