Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-10
STATE HOUSE.
Hearings Held By Board Of Railroad
Commissioners.
Blame OF Auburn Electric Railroad Accident
Placed on Motorman.

The railroad commissioners were in
session in their office, Wednesday, and
disposed of several matters assigned
for the day.
They approved the highway crossing
in the town of Jay, over the tracks of
the Portland & Rumford Falls Rail-
road. They also approved the change
in the location of the side track in the
town of Island Falls, of the Bangor &
Aroostook Railroad.
A hearing was given in the petition
of the Bangor, Hampden & Winterport
Electric Railroad, for the inspection of
their accounts, and that they be given
certificate, certifying that a certain
amount had been paid out, so that
more bonds of the road could be placed
upon the market. This company was
represented by its president, General
II. S. Mitchell of Bangor, and also by
Councillor II. w. Mayo of Hampden
Hon. George d. Bisbee of Rumford
Falls, and Engineer Stratton of the
Portland & Rumford Falls Railroad,
were present in favor of the highway
crossing. Hugh J. Chaplain, Esq, of
Bangor, attorney of the Bangor &
Aroostook Railroad, appeared in the
interests of the company.
The commissioners also made deci
sion on the accident on the Lewiston 4
Auburn Railroad, which occurred, June
30, in which several passengers were
injured.
Their decision in full is as follows:
On the goth day of June, A. D. 1885, 4
serious accident occurred on the Lewis
ton and Auburn Railroad on the branch
which leads to Lake Auburn, by rear
end collision
Arthur F. Baker was motormah on the
forward motor car, with two trailers.
Samuel NJ Harvey was motorman on
the rear motor car with two trailers.
The cars were running to Lake Au-
burn, at about ten O'Clock in the eve
ming, to bring passengers from the lake
into the cities. There We're, however
several passengers in each car going out.
From the evidence of the witnesses,
and from what We ascertdined by our
own observation in relation to the mat
running very fast We have no doubt
they were running fifteen, and probably
twenty miles an hour
The forward train was stopped at
place known as the Poor Farm crossing,
to let off passenger. The rear tram
was running only about two poles IN the
the forward train stopped. the rear train
almost Immediately ran into 1t, damaging
the cars and injuring several people.
We are satisfied that the accident was
oan c9ralpSSneSS the part
Of the motorman of the rear cars, Mf.
Samuel M. Harvey.
Rule number two. of the road, by
which are to be W use
great care to avoid accidents Whlie the
cars are running at full speed at least
four poles should be kept between fn r rne
very slow, and keep their cars under per-
feet control. If the track is icy on
grade they should SAND tne ,f .,ae beayY
curves and over frogs and switches
We are satisfied that this rule was not
very fast much faster than ought to pc
allowed under such conditions with one
train so closely following another.
bred feet, which may be safe distance
in the day time. and at the ordinary
speed When cars are running IN tne
night time, at a rate OF speed sucn "a, as
these were running. such a distance be
tween cars is dangerous. To run at such
speed at night, with cars so near To-
gether, is absolute recklessness.
The motorman. Mr.. Harvey, says ne re-
versed his car on six notches. Whether
he was using power or not at the time time;
he does not say; but from the testimony
we are led to infer that he was, although
he was going down steep grade
From all the testimony we are satis-
fed that both motormen were running
fast for the purpose Of reacning tne laKe
gers back to the cities.
It appears also by the testimony OF the
motorman. that the brake on one of the
trailers of his car was broken Ihat ne ne
discovered the break when the car TOOK
the siding near the Main street bridge IN IN
Auburn, He says that he knew the
brake would not work at all, and still he
ran in the rear of the other train n e. only =,
speed: and he distinctly says in his ties,
mony that # the brake ,Se h ha1 o stnnn a
his train and avoided the accident;
| We do not deem it necessary to recite
any more of the testimony, which is on
file in the office of the raliroad commis-
that this accident was caused wholly by