The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
Big Four Employe Gives Important
Testimony Before the Coroner In
the Wreck investigation.
NEXT SESSION WEDNESDAY
OPERATOR I. H. BISHOP WILL DE
ON STAND AT THAT TIME.
Evidence Convinces the Coroner that
the Specials Were CareIessly Han
died by Persons In Authority.

Further examination Of witnesses by Cor
oner Tutewiler will be postponed until
Wednesday morning on account of the ILL
ness of the wife of 1. H. Bishop. operator
ct the Shelby-street roundhouse, who is
seriously Ill in Omaha. Mr.. Bishop left the
city Sunday and notified his son that he
would return in time for the examination.
but owing to the dangerous condition of
Mrs. Bishop. Coroner Tutewiler notified him
last night that he would postpone the ex-
animation until Wednesday. The investi-
cation cannot well proceed until the exam
nation Of 1. II. Bishop, who IS an impor-
tant witness.
Coroner Tutewiler will spend to-day
going over the testimony Of those who have
been examined. Tomorrow and Tuesday
he will clear up number OF outside cases
that have been on his hands for some time
and need attention. Several new witnesses
were brought in and testified yesterday,
among them James E. Skillman, yard
master for the indianapolis Union Railway
Company. Mr.. Skillman testified that he
received no telegram. but merely a bulletin
notice. that extras $50 and 1sS would reach
the city from Lafayette at $50 and 9:55
o'clock respectively That his men were
notified promptly. Mr.. Skillman said. is
proved by the fact that a c., H. & D.
switch engine was kept off the main track
OF the Big Four at the time for the arrival
OF the specials.
MNEAL's TESTIMONY.
Martin McNeal, operator at the North In
dianapolis station. said that he was noti-
fled by p. J. Maloney. trainmaster at Kan
kakee. at 2:30 o'clock last Saturday morn
ing Of the running OF the specials. The
North-street station being a day station,
where there Is no operator at night, McNeal
said that he was not required to notify
anyone but the crews of west-bound freight
trains. He said there was no way of his
telling when trains running west were be-
tween his station and North street Several
other witnesses were examined, including
the crew OF the switch engine which waited
Tor the specials, and their evidence corrob-
Grated all that the coroner has gathered.
The most important witness of the morning
was Engineer York. Of the Chicago division
Sne the Sg FS 80 t who testified that he
when he left the Big Four roundhouse the
morning of the wreck he looked at the
bulletin board for engines, but found no
notice OF the specials. 1t was the first time,
he said. that he ever knew the switching
crews not to be notified of extra trains.
When asked as to the ruling of officials
tnat switch engines have the right OF way
in the yards he said that he had never
heard or any such ruling. I'm case of ex-
| tras," Mr. York said, I'VE are always noti-
fed and keep our engines OF the main track
when they are due"
A CARELESS SYSTEM
1t Will be only a matter OF a few days
| after the testimony Of Mr.. Bishop on
Wednesday until Coroner Tutewiler will fix
the blame for the terrible wreck. From the
| evidence so far taken 1t becomes palmer
every day that the handling OF trains was
I'll ordered and careless between the Union
Station and North Indianapolis. at which
point the block system begins. Although il
has been show that the operator at North
/ Indianapolis had been notified of the spe-
cial and permitted it inside the block, he
| was not required by any rules OF the road
/ to inquire of the operator at North street
i If tha track was clear