Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-11

one-eighth Of Il mile below the crossing.
| When he came in at $50, Saturday after
noon, the red ball was down. giving his
| train right of way. Was running six or
| eight miles an hour. Suddenly saw the
| ball raised six or 10 feet. and saw q man
| on the crossing making violent notions
| for him to stop. Then about 30 or 60 feet
from the crossing. Put on the emergency
| brakes at once. Could not see car COM
ing down hill until it smashed through
gates. Train stopped on crossing the pi-
| lot of the engine being about in middle of
electric track. Hit the car about mid way
| in its length tipping it up but not over
| turning it. Apparently did little damage
| to car. Engine was not injured. Have
| been engineer of train since Jan. a. 1902.
| Going west can sec signal ball about eight
rods away, which is ample space to stop if
necessary at rate at which train leaves
station. Have always understood that
ball should he at masthead when neither
| train nor electric is approaching.
| w. f. Trask of South Gardiner, fireman
on the Accommodation, corroboratei En-
gineer Adel as to the signals and the con-
Gitions of stopping Both the electric car
! and the locomotive We're almost at a
standstill when they collided. Saw cleo
trio car at same time as he saw the ball
raised. A mail car on the side track OH
Structed the view somewhat.
George d. White, engineer of the shifter,
testified that his engine had been put up
and he YVES at the crossing when the ac-
cidenr occurred. Saw the electric car COM
ing down hill, apparently out of the con-
troll OF the motorman. The gates were
down. The Accommodation train was close
by, and he shouted to the gate tender to
raise the ball. at the same time signalling
with his hands to the engineer Have al
ways understood that ball should be kept
at foot Of mast when neither train nor
electric car is approaching.
Joseph l.. simpson, crossing tender at
the time of the accident, was the next
witness. Had been at this crossing only a
few days but had worked there several
week earlier in the winter Had been at
Bridge street crossing since then. Was
the practice to put the ball down as q sig
nal of danger to the electric cars when the
first whistle of an approaching train was
heard Gates were lowered when second
whistle w2s heard No car was in sight
when ball was lowered but it quickly came
around the curve and down the hill, ap-
parcEtly out of control Heard somebody
shout Put the ball up and did SO az
once. The car smashed through the gate
and stopped on track. Go on duty al go
\. Nj. and remain till 9 p. M Usually leave
ball down at night. During day kept bah
up except when train is coming, and then
lower it to warn electric cars. Had nC
definite instructions about running the
signals. but learned by observation Have-I
worked the electric light signal on the
hill since the accident at Request Of Supt
TAYLOR hut did not commonly do il before
William f. keay, for several years the
signal man at this crossing, testified tina;
he did not see The accident. Described q
case. last winter, when car came part way
down hill when a special train was APP
preaching. Used to use the electric light
signals on the hill to warn motolm tina
crossing was block Gave Mr.. Simpson
instructions when latter took his place
Always kept ball up when neither trail
nor car was approaching, that being in |
StruCtiOnS.
Warren Wight, for 80 years the conduct
or Of the Accommodation train, testified OF |
the sudden stopping Of his train which wa.
all lie knew of the accident. Had always