Evening journal., 1897-10-20
AT OUTS WITH THE CORONER
JURORS REFUSE TO SIGN A YER
DICT AT NEW CASTLE.
CLAIM DUE DILIGENCE WAS NOT
USED AND NO EVIDENCE WAS
SECURED OR PRODUCED-NOT
SWORN FOR GUESS WORK"

The mayors office was the scene of a
remarkable meeting last evening.
cOroner's jury, empaneled on July
10 last, met and took issue with the
coroner refusing to sign a verdict and
calling upon the states attorney to take
up the matter.
Acting Coroner James T. Chandler,
who has been accused of inactiOn in the
matter, arrived at the mayors office
about o'clock.
The jury had been empaneled to in
yestigate the death of Joseph Cram
field who was, on July S, knocked of
the schooner Annie L. Russell by a tow
of Reading railroad barges. The Even
ing Journal of July 10, three days be-
fore the body was found and towed
here, said:
Captain Hendrickson says that on
account of the excessive heat on Thurs
day night most of the crew of the An
ME L. Russell slept on the deck. He
came up from the cabin late that night,
and when he left Cramfield was lying
on the floor of the cabin. One of the
seaman said that before the collision he
saw Cramfeld lying on a pile of wood
in the stern of the vessel. It was prob
ably too hot in the cabin. Near where
he was seen by the seaman is the hole
which the barge STAYED in the schooner.
1t is believed from this statement that
Cramfeld was killed by the shock and
washed overheard. 1t is thought that
the body is not in the cabin of the be-
lated vessel. The cabin cannot be
reached because the bow is on high
ground and the stern is deep in the
water.
Captain Hendrickson offered a re-
ward to anyone who would go into the
cabin and see if Cramfelds body was
there, but he has, as yet, been unable
to find any person who will attempt the
task.
Many people were attracted to the
wharf yesterday and last evening and
watched the efforts of the grapplers.
The members of the jury who thus
took issue are: William II. Pedrick
Albert " Foster, John Shearer, Frank
p. Rainey and George w. Pustill. Fore
man Moses Fleming wanted to agree
with the coroner, but the jurors told
him that he could do so alone, as they
didn't propose to indulge in any guess
work.
Each man had a different reason foT
refusing to agree. Mr. Shearer said
that the law providing for a coroner's
induest was not dead letter even il il
was trifled with by ooroners generally
He had taken an oath to diligently in
quire into this unfortunate mans death
and he proposed to sign no makoshifi
or evasive verdict.
"This man had bruises all over his
breast and head. We never had one
line of evidence, not one man has beer
brought here, not even has a sworn
statement been filed. If this is the way
corcners juries do business, then this
will be a different jury this time"
Mr. Pedrick made a few remarks
giving as his reason for not signini
that diligent inquiry had not beer
made "The Reading railroad towl
come up this river with men asleep a
the wheels and swing around as they
please. sometimes sweeping 100 yards
out Of their course, and woe betide thu
small boat in their sweep. That's how
this man was killed and it is the jury
business to say so.
Acting Coroner Chandler made ful
statement to the jury. saying that ever,
effort had been made to get the wit
nesses. who were all in other jurisdic
tions and could not be reached. Will
life was sweet to this man, he was
tough character and had no near rela
tive who could be beneficiary in Law
suit.
Questioned by Juror Shearer, the cor
oner stated that he had received s.
from the Reading railroad for putin
awav the body, but stated that thi
amount did not cover the costs of seale
casket and burial.
The jury adjourned to meet again a
the call of the foreman as soon as Act
ing Coroner Chandler can obtain othe
data.