The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15
SHOCK IN
Coroner's Verdict Reacts ON Stricken
ity-EId Byers's Statement

City-EIder Byers's Statement.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
LAFAYETTE, Ind, Nov. 14-Coroner
Tutewiler's verdict in the Purdue special
disaster investigation caused a sensation in
Lafayette to-day when 1t became known
that Bert C. Byers, of this city, chief dis
patcher of the Big Four at Kankakee, had
been held responsible. Relatives and friends
of Byers in this city had heard rumors that
he was partially to blame for the catastro-
phe, but none of them even dreamed that
he would be held alone accountable.
Bert Byers was born and bred in Lafay-
cite and is as well known and generally
liked as any young man in the city. 1t was
here ne received his education and learned
biography. He is the son Of William G.
Byers and a nephew of Parker A. Byers,
at one time champion billiard player Of
America. AS a boy he was employed In
the Western Union telegraph office and soon
became a proficient operator. Later he ac-
copied a position on the Peoria & Eastern
Railway, where he worked for more than
a year. 1t was his first position as an op.
orator. He left the employ of the P. & Z.
to accept a position on the Wabash at
West Point. Ind. He worked there for five
years. Five years ago he went to Kanka-
kee to enter the dispatcher's office and soon
rose to the place of chief.
1t was a terrible shock to the father,
who nearly tainted when he heard the
news. 1t was not entirely unexpected, for
the elder Byers for a week had peen ex-
Il have been pacing the floor every
night. he said to-day when inter-
and both myself and his mother
are nearly Frustrated. Public sentiment
has fixed the blame on my son. but he has
assured us that he is not alone account
1hla far tho Aieootar NNn will Goht TIA
verdict, and If necessary will take the case
to the highest court In the land to have it
set aside. The coroner is wrong. and the
railroad officials have the right of the
affair. They know more about such things
than the coroner. Bert ran the excursion
on exactly the same basis that he has run
many others. The crew of the train vio-
lated the speed limit rule. No. %. that is
sure. They had the right of way, but were
told to keep the train under control in
North indianapolis, for they might meet a
My son was home a few days ago. and
he said TO me: Father. If 1 knew 1 was to
blame for that awful thing l would not
want to live longer. / know some one in
Kankakee Is going TO be held responsible.
for the coroner is working that way. L
knew there were many or my personal
friends on that train, and do you suppose
I'd take less care with il than with others
I have safely run? l was very careful to
send the order
"All railroad officials" continued Mr..
DSclS, udNt cAoiel my oOh. DcheN
Bert will come out of it all right, as 1
think the railroad people will take some
action to protect him. 1t is a hard blow
TO US, but we know he is innocent"
Ii Is stated by one of the dispatchers at
Kankakee. whose name cannot be given.
that on the day of the wreck Byers was
on duty. but hat the chief dispatcher
gave the train order TO subordinates In the
office in plenty of time to send it over the
line. 1t is a strange coincidence that the
cause and result of the wreck should rest
in Lafayette, as the coroner'S verdict de-
cides. Sixteen men from this city Were
killed. and now a Lafayette man Is held
responsible for the disaster.