Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-05-07
ISLAND POND, VT. FRIDAY. MAY I, 1897.

Really the great event in Boston
;ince my last letter has been the find
ny of Judge Ely i'm the subway eN-
lloSion ease. The latter, il will be re-
nembered. took place on March I.
Several people were killed. many in
iured and large amount of damage
lone 10 property. The finding was
made in connection with the inquest
over one of the victims. Judge Ely
DlaceS the entire blame On the Gas
company. The finding iS iu substance
his: The explosion was undoubtedly
,IuSed 10y a spark from an electric ear
igniting The gas. 1t is impossible to
determine when the gas began Ia eS-
ape. but considering the power of the
aXplo>iCn il seems to me reasonable to
infer that the aperture in the gas
pipe must have been of considerable
size. | am reasonably convinced that
said escaping gas came from the six
inch main. and the three other breaks
were caused by the explosion. In the
SiN-inGh main where this break oc-
cured there was a defect in the cast
ing. which ran entirely through the
pine. The Boston Transit Commits
sion imposed upon the prosecution of
this work dangers 10 the public
safety. No precautions were taken by
said commission to prevent such an
accident as this Cne. although several
inspectors were employed to inspect
every part of the work while it was
going ON and guard against its dam
gers. The Metropolitan Construction
Company were required to maintain
surface covering and also support
the pipes underneath. This they did
properly. The Gas Light Company
never inspected their pipes, which
were uncovered. at the crossing of
fremont and Boylston streets, either
to ascertain their condition or how
they were supported, or in any re-
spect gave the slightest attention to
them except to see that the gates were
in working condition. This was in
such striking contrast with conduct
of owners of other pipes there as 10
require notice. find that neither of
these parties took any steps TO watch
or inspect this enclosure or these
pipes when work was not going on
except a man from the Boston Gas
Light Company. who went over the
/ line of the Subway once a day and
looked after the gates. On these facts
| find that each of the parties were
/ guilty of cartleSsneSs. and if proper
/ precautions had been taken this acci
/ dent would have never occurred.
/ find that the Boston Gas Light Com
/ pany knew further that in the con
/ struction of the Subway their pipcs
| and mains were in constant danger;
/ that if they left them to the care al
/ carcleSsuess of the contractors ans
/ their men they committed them to i'll
/ experienced hands, and that thereby
great dangers constantly menaccd tht
/ people. The position taken 10y thu
company that rhey were not RESPONSE
bic for their pipes and mains whcl
uncovered by the Subway contractors
seems To me To be indefenSibe il
every respect. | find that said com
pany had insufficient number of job
bers in their employ ON March 1.
am fully satisfied and | find that if Al
intelligent iobber had been sent in re
Sponsr to the telephone of police of
fcer Whaleu, sent at ll.l4 \. NJ, thi
explosion would have never happened
In my Judgment the facts hcreinbe
fore stated require me to find. and
do find, that THE negligence of th'
Boston Gas Light Company was gros
and ineNcusabe. therefore find tha
the death of said William \. Start re
suited from the unlawful act Of tn
Boston Gas Light Company Judg
EIy's decision is in the nature Of