The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-06-01
OGDEN WRECK INVESTIGATION
Report Likely to Be Made Within
Week Placing Responsibility For
the Accident.

-
several days ago, the Southern's at
, torney at the hearing begun before
the railroad commission Tuesday to
ascertain the cause Of the wreck OF
the Ogden special in the Grcenyl!le
yards on the morning Of April 80, as
sumed the position tha: Engineer Jas.
R. Hunter, in charge of the specials
engine, Is entirely to blame for the
accident on the ground that he violat-
ed the rules Of the company in coming
into the yards without having his en-
CINE under full control, expecting TO
And the main track occupied-under
such control as would allow him TO
stop within the distance he could see
and that as the special was running
as an extra with right Of way only
over trains Of published schedules, the
Greenyille yardmaster, even in the
face of the telegram placed on his
hook at 7.18 notifying him that the
special would arrive at 1855. was in
no wise responsible and was not 10
blame for having the freight boxes
on the main track.
The main witness put up to outline
and define this defense OF the road
Awas General Manager Spencer, who
Aid that the telegram to the Green"
vile office was not sent with the view
Of curtailing the right Of work or shift
ing trains, as practice showed that 1t
was not safe to supercede these kinds
Of rules with respect to large yards
like those at Greenville, except by
mo. 81 order" which having to be
receipted for and checked back to the
dispatcher it was not wise to use on
a yard like Greenville's, for the reason
that It was bad practice to allow en-
einee to get into the habit OF run
ming specials into such yard not
under full control.
Division Counsel ]. T. Barron, OF the
Coast Line was present representing
Engineer Hunter. Mr.. Hunters de-
tense has not been outlined, but 1t Is
said that his position is that he vio-
lated no rule, but followed instructions
strictly and is in no wise to blame Tor
the Greenville accident.
Mr.. Robert C. Ogden was not pres
ent, as he intimated in letter to Gov
ernor Hayward a short time ago, he
might be. The Ogden party was rep
resented by Mr.. J. E. Heges, New
York attorney. Dr.. Julius D. Dreher,
of Lexington, who was on the train'
wA present as a spectator, as were
State Superintendent Of Education o.
B. Martin, Attorney F. H. Weston and
ex.Attorney General G. D. Bellinger.
General Counsel Thomas, assisted
by Division Counsel B. L. Abney, and
Attorney W. H. Welsh, conducted the
examination for the railroad, while At
torney General Gunter was present in
the interest OF the State. Members
of the commission cross-examined the
witnesses.
Among the railroad officials present
az witnesses were: General Manager
H. B. Spencer, General Superintendent
c 8. McManus, Charlotte Division Su-
perintendent P. L. NJ Manus,
Savannah Division Superintendent
H. A. Williams, Assistant Gen.
eral Counsel Thorn, Assistant Genera
Superintendent H. Baker, Charlotte
Chief Dispatcher W. NJ. Lineberger'
Savannah Division Chief Dispatcher
T, P. Baird. Columbia Shops Master
Mechanic C. G. Arthur, Charleston Di.
vision Superintendent Heether, aDe
others.
The testimony taken before the
commission was all on the lines tnat
the engineer Of the special tram
was running contrary to orders in tnat
he should have approached the yard
with his train under full controi. 10
this main fact all the evidence teEaed.
The commission will probably make
its report for q week or more.