Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-10-19

Trying to Ascertain What Was the Cause
of the Collision at Hazleton Junction
Last Week-The Funerals of the Vic
| Tins on Saturday.
Deputy Coroner Bowman on Saturday
began his investigation of the accident
at Hazleton junction last week, with
the following jury: Daniel Levan, j.
f. Davis, George r. Clark, Geo. Maue,
Charles Dick and James Harvey. The
d. 5. Il S. Company was represented by
e. A. Obcrrender and D..J. Mccarthy
and the Traction Company by Attorneys
Kline and Troutman and E. S. Doud
The first witness was Samuel
Cumfer, the motorman. After he had
received the signal from Conductor
Dowd to come ahead he started the car
and when nearly across the d. S. & S.
track saw the tank of the engine. He
put on additional power, but not soon
enough to avoid being hit. He did not
see light on the engine, nor hear a
bell or whistle.
Daniel Gallagher, of Drfton, engineer
of d. S. & S. %, stated that he was on
his way eastward at the time of the ac-
cident. Was running at an ordinary
rate of speed, ten or twelve miles an
hour. Saw the trolley car pop on the
track when about twenty or twenty-five
feet away. Had white light fastened
on tank, which was running in front.
Did not know of any rules which require
engineers to whistle at this particular
crossing.
John McGroarty, of Frecland, firemen
on No. %, corroborated the engineers
testimony, adding that the bell was ring
ing until after the car was struck. He
noticed the trolley car on the track
when about fifteen feet distant. Gave
an explanation of his duties in ringing
bell when approaching crossings. Stated
the white light on tank was still burn
ing after accident happened. Stated
there were no instructions regarding
whlstIing when crossing trolley track
crossings.
l.. Il. Brandon, who was standing at
HaZIeton junction station, helped to
put passengers on trolley car, saw the
conductor put mail on, did not see him
look up or down the d. S. tS S. track.
Heard the engine whistle at Roam, did
not hear bell ring and could not tell
whether engine had light on tank or not.
Bert Boon did not hear bell or whistle
He was passenger on trolley car. Did
not know what struck the car.
DR.. Kuntz, another passenger, told
how the conductor placed mail on car,
ran ahead to railroad track and told
motorman to proceed lie was in vesti-
bule with motorman, saw engine when
it was nearly up to car, heard no bell or
whistle.
Several other witnesses gave tcsti-
mony, including Yardmastcr Thomas
Slattery, James Brennan, Henry Tully
and other d. S. & 5. employees. Majori-
ty of them swore that - had white
light ON tender.
The hearing will be resumed this
evening.
THE THREE VICTIMS BURIED.
The funerals of the victims took place
on Saturday afternoon. David Williams
was buried in Frceland cemetery. The
funeral services were held at Hazleton.
and the remains conveyed here via troll
ley cars whore they were met by the
Legion of Honor and knights of Malta,
of which he was a member. Hundreds
of friends followed the young mans
body to its last resting place. His age
was 27 years, > months and days.
Vine street cemetery, IIazleton. He
was % years and months old. Norman
Staplcton's remains were taken on Fri
day by relatives to Lcwisburg, where
they were Inferred the following day.