The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-12
THE M'MILLAs TRAIN WRECK.
Train Dispatcher Rawiins Biamed-His
Statement TO the jury

Statement to the Jury@
TACOMA. Aug. Especial. TRAIN Dis
patcher Rawlins was adjudgsd guilty Of
criminal negligence in causing the wreck
OF an extra coal train aud an extra shingle
train near Mcmillan yesterday. The YER
dict of the jury is as follows;
eve do find that Louis X. Harmon
came TO his death by conclusion Tof the
brainl caused by the collision of two
Northern Pacific railroad trains near Nc
MILAN station, on August 10, 1894. said
collision being caused by the criminal
negligence of the Northern PaciforaiI-
road through the train dispatcher, f. s.
Rawlina"
Coroner Hosks said this evening, 81
supposed will have TO issue warrant for
Rawlins' arrest. There Is nothing in the
law 10 cause me TO be In hurry about it,"
The jury wrangled two hours before
agreeing upon the verdict. and 1t is said by
some conversantwith the legal points In
the case that RawIins cannot be convicted
of criminal negligence upon the testimony
given. Some of the jurors were set against
finding him guilty of negligence. He has
a family. and his statement before the
jury impressed the majority as frank,
honest statement. He discovered the
error almost Immediately after it was
given, but failed TO raise Mesker, to which
place the second order had been sent. He
called, but Meeker did not answer. Fin
ally he raised that place on another wire,
about three TO five minutes after the order
wasgiven, but the train had already left
The order was not technically clap"
order, because such a thing cannot occur
on the Northern Pacific when rules are
followed. However, the result was the
same asDf lap order had been issued.
Technically a lap order would be the
directing Of q train from Edison TO Ta-
coma, and another train on the same track
from South Prairie to Seattle, the slap"
being from Seattle TO Tacoma. In this in
stance the coal train was ordered from
Croker to Tacoma and bad the right Of
way for its class of runs. Later the shingle
train turned up at Meeker and, unmindful
of the coal train order, RAxIins ordered it
from Meeker to South Prairie.
On the Northern Pacific system trains
approaching in opposite directions are
ordered TO meet at single point, and the
samelorder goes to both trains, therefore
both head for the common point. These
I orders are repeated back TO the dispatcher,
who checks them Off A copy of it is also
taken by intermediate offices.
B Harmon's remains viii be taken to
Ellensbufg on special train leaving here
at p. m Masonic services viii be held
ats 80 a. m. in the Masonic headquarters
in the Chamber of Commerce building
In his statement Rawlins stated that in
nineteen years railroading he had made
three mistakes. including yesterdays.
Yesterdays was the only one that resulted
seriously. Frequently trainmen detect
the trains approaching in time 20 prevent
an accident He also stated that there
had been a great rush Of business since
the strike. and the dispatchers were kept
very busy, although none worked over
eight hours per day.
warrant will be issued Monday for
Rawlins' arrest. lie has arranged for
bonds. Nothing has been said TO him
about leaving the service of the company,
but il is not probable that he will try TO
assume the duties of dispatcher again, pre-
fsFring olerkship. Fireman Martin, in
iured in Yesterdays collision. is at farm
house near Mcmillan. he was improving
this afternoon.