Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-02

He says this was about $3.50 p. NJ.
When passenger train No. "a came
along from Leeds at 4.30 P. NJ, the
split switch leading to the "cross-over
and siding was open, and locked open
The engine took the cross track
and followed it until it came TO tn"
stub switch which must have been
changed after the four cars went onto
the long siding, because the engine at
that point left the track and all tn"
rails south Of the stub switch for 21'
feet were torn up, the engine tipped
over on it's side, the baggage car piled
upon the engine, the Pullman car went
off tn, track to the west into the field.
and all the cars We're off the track eX-
cept the rear one which was upon the
"cross-over track when the train
stopped.
Five persons We're either killed or re-
ceived fatal injuries: w. F. Kimball.
engineer; w. F. Chapman, fireman;
Joseph f.. Cook, travelling engineer;
John r. Chase. Baggagemaster, ana
Almon HodgdOn. mail weigher.
Mr.. breckenridge, who was left 10
close the split switch. is young man
twenty-five years of age. He has work
ed for The Maine Central Railroad Co
as freight brakeman since February.
1904. Before that he had worked for the
Grand Trunk Railway for eighteen
months He appeared 20 be intelligent
and to understand his duties. We saw
nothing either in his testimony. or in
his manner Of giving it. To indicate that
he is not truthful. We believe h"
thought he was telling the truth. We
think ne intended to be truthful. yet
we cannot escape the conclusion that
he is mistaken, ana that he left this
split switch from the main line to the
croSSoVer track OPEN causing tram NO
| "a to take the siding, and thus causing
the wreck.
He testilies positively that he chang
ed but one switch, and we are salts
fled that he changed the stub switch
because that switch was evidently
changed after the four cars We're run
over It, because if it had not been
changed the engine would have follow
ed the track and ran into the rear of
the cars on the long siding.
But the engine evidently left the
! track at the stub switch. and went off
to the west of the cars that We're on
the siding. And the evidence shows
that all the rails south of the stub
switch fer 80 feet were torn up.
We have come to this conclusion on
| " after mature delibe"aiiOn and re-
fection. We should be glad if there
could he any other reasonable theory,
but there is none.
| We do not think however. that all
! the blame should be east upon Breck-
| enridye. There We're others there who
| neglected duties incumbent upon them.
We copy here three Of the rules with
which every person connected with the
Maine Central Railroad as employee.
is supposed to be familiar.
"I;ule No. 100 Conductor must know
that each switch which has been
changed for his train is left set and
locked for the main track, unless it is
in charge of a regular switchman. or
the conductor of a following train is
present and takes charge of it.
Rule No 115.-Whal any train goes
into a siding to meet or pass a train
on main line, it shall be the duty of
conductor of the train taking the sid
ing to see personally that all switches
at both ends of the siding are set for
the main line and right for the expect
ed train to pass. II an engine without
a train takes siding 20 meet or pass
a train on main line, il shall be the
duty of the engineernan to see that all
switches are right at both ends of the
siding for the expected train to pass.
Rule No. 141. Station agents will
have charge of the tracks, sidinGs.
switches, etc, at the station, and will
be held responsible for the security of
the switches. They will also see thar
cars on sidings are securely blocked.
and that the brakes are applied. and
at places where there is a safety block
or derailing switch, the block or switch
must be set SO that cars cannot posi-
bly, enter upon or interfere with trains
passing on main track
If Fred NJ. Crockett, who had charge
Ot this shifting train as made up. was
acting conductor then he violated Rule
100 when he left the switch Gpen and
went off up to the stoCkyard siding.
The testimony does not disclose that
there was any regular or special sta
ton agent. unless Mr.. Z. A. Rounds.
acting yardmaster. is to he considered
station agent. If 50. then Fred NJ
| Crockett must be considered assistant
station agent. because he testified that
he was acting as assistant yardmaster
under Rounds.
| If this be SO, what excuse can Mr..
| Crockett have, under Rule IA. for GO
| ing off and leaving The split switch set
| Tor the siding. depending upon Breck-
| enridSe as he says. to secure it?
| Mr.. Crockett had been in the en-
| ploy of the Maine Central Railroad for
several years. He has been examined
:or the position of Conductor. and has
acted as conductor of trains. and yet
he testifies that after the cars had gone
over the split switch on to the siding
he deliberately got on TO the engine ami
lief the split switch open. expecting thu
! brakeman to close It. although the
| rules of the road. be he acting as con-
| ductor or assistant yardmaster. re
| quirei him to see that the switches arc
| Set and locked for the main line.
Whether Mr.. Rounds omitted any
duty when he SCI the semaphore for
| train No. "A to go through the yard.
| may admit of differences of opinion.
We express no opinion upon it.
1t is suggested that there is a target
I y,l, l..