New-York tribune., 1905-11-28
TUTTLE BLAMfS ENGI,EER
Orders Investigation on Lincoln
Wreck-Death List Sinteen.

Lincoln Mass, Nov. 21.-After q. day spent by
wreckng crews in clearing away the remaining
traces of last nights disaster at Bakers Bridge
station on the Fitchburg division of the Boston
and Maine Railroad, and investigation by the
railroad officials, State authorities and the news
papers. it was practically settled tonight that
sixteen persons lost their lives, twelve were Sc
riously injured and a score cut and bruised as
the result of the rear end collision between the
Montreal express and the Marlboro branch local
train
Investigation by the railroad officials began
Immediately after the accident last night To-
day inspectors representing the State Railroad
Commissioners made a separate examination.
and on Wednesday Judge John S. Keyes, of
Concord viii hold an inquest President Lucius
Tuttle of the road, blarnes H w. Lyons, en-
gineer of the leading locomotive of the Montreal
train for the disaster
Lyons who is not severely injured, reached
his home in Charlestown early to-day. Ihe
engineer is alleged to have admitted seeing some
of the signals used for the protection Of the
accommodation train.
The fireman Of the leading locomotive, Charles
T. Barnard, was burned to death in MS cab. but
the other engineer. Connors, managed to escape,
in some strange manner.
tonnors appeared near the scene of the wreck
in the early morning hours, however. His mind,
apparently, had been seriously aHected by the
accident and he was taken to a Boston hospital
When the accident occurred the local tram was
said to have been few minutes late, and. know
ing that the express was close behind, 1t is SAID
that the rear brakeman Donor Cauthler, VINO
was killed set out red torches, indicating danger
When the express train passed Lincoln station,
about mile and a half east OF the scene Of the
wreck the Montreal train was running at its
usual rate of speed estimated all th' way from
thirty-five to fifty miles an hour. 1t is sad that
signal calling for caution was set against the
express at Lincoln station. statements or those
who were near the station, however. do not
agree in all details The theory of railroad men
who visited the scene to-day is that smoke from
the engine Of the local train as it passed under
the Baker Highway orldge opscuIeu I Inc & Ieu
lights in the rear. From the bridge all the way
back to Lincoln station the track is straight
The night was dark, and at times in the evening
mist from the Sudbury River hung over tne
tracks Whatever the reason, the first engineer
of the Montreal train, whose duty it was to scan
the signals failed TO observe any warnings and
without 2 movement having been made to check
it's speed the train struck the stadonary cars 1t
is expected that the responsibility VIII De paceu
l,x, the railroad authorities.
Fuses such as are used by brakemen to signal
approaching trains were found on the track over
which the train that caused the wreck passed
An official of the road who is here in connection
with the investigation said to-day:
There is evidence that the train ran over tw"
or three signals Of this sort
President Tuttle of the Boston and Maine
Railroad later issued the following statement
with reference to the accident;
While no complete and thorough investigation
has vet been possible there is ample testimony
from many sources that every part or the me-
cbanicaI appliances fer stopping the Montreal
express train seems to have been in perfect or
der and the train should have easily mace
stop at any time within a distance OF I,ZuO or
| 800 feet at the outside
All of the testimony as yet secured shows
with positive clearness that the Montreal TX
press passed by at least two and probably three
spacing block signal lights and three red fuse
torches without paying the slightest attention to
them. I can only form the opinion that tlere
was in this case. some suspension or mecharh-
cal brain action in failing to note these numer-
GUS danger and cautionary signals, which was
the sole cause of the accident
Boston. Nov 2I.-The State Board of Railroad
Commissioners will give a public hearing to nix
the responsibility for the accident The board
sent Inspector Upton to the scene of the wreck
to-day The date of the hearing will be an
nounced as soon the inspector has made his
report.