Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-03
GIVEN CLEAR TRACK"
OPERATOR MATTOX SAYS HE Is
BLAMELEss FOR WRECK.

LYNChBURG. Va, December 3.-Opera-
tor g. D. Mattox. who Is charged by off,
cials Of the Southern Railway Company
with being responsible for Thursdays
wreck ten miles below Lyncbburg. when
seen yesterday at his home, eight miles from
here. by the representative Of the Asso-
ciated Press made the following statement
his brother yesterday:
1.-THE statement Of officials OF the South
ern railway that 1 have been missing since
the wreck of Thursday morning and could
not be found. although detectives Of the
company were securing the country for me,
Is without the slightest foundation. I have
been at my boarding place practically all
Of the time since the accident. The only
time l was away from home was a portion
of Friday and Saturday. when 1 was at the
home of a friend. and at no time since the
wreck have I been more than two miles
from the Ragoon telegraph office, where I
worked. In addition to this. I am reliably
informed that detective Of the company
was told during the day on Thursday where
I was, and my whereabouts were certainly
known to my friends, number Of whom
are employees of the Southern Railway Com
pany. This Is the first statement l have
been asked to make about the matter, and
you referring to the reporter) are the first
person that I know Of that has asked for
me. On the night preceding the wreck I
attended box party in the neighborhood
with friends, the day operator working for
me until I returned to the Office at mid
night The night being chilly, the operator,
L. CleInmer. decided to remain at the office
until morning, and he did stay there until
6 o'clock. He returned at and relieved me,
suggesting that go home, because it was
apparent to him that was unstrung by the
experiences that / had passed through in
the previous hour. did this. and remained
at home the entire day. About o'clock,
getting my usual midnight lunch. I started
for the station to report for night duty.
Reaching the office. saw large crowd
congregated outside. and from what heard
1 concluded it would be best for me not to
go in the office. learned from the day OPP
orator that another operator had been sent
to relieve me- and this IS all the notice I
have had that my services were not wanted
that night. After that 1 returned home
and slept the night through.
Wants Investigation.
II am not to blame for the wreck, and I
think 1 would have no trouble to substan-
tate this claim If given the opportunity to
be heard. Operator Clemmer and student
operator were both in the Office and heard
the operator at Lawyers give me clear
track for No. 80 (the train to which Pres:-
dent Spencer's car was attached). This
was at o'clock, the block sheet in the
office will show. If my recollection serves
me right, No 80 passed Ragoon at 6O6,
and I reported this to Lawyers. L cannot
recall that the operator there signed for the
report but it was his business to be there
to take the report. 1 let No. 80 in the block
because Lawyers gave me the right OF way
for the train. When No. 81 (Which collided
with the rear of No. 33) left Winners the
first block station north OF Ragoon) I be-
gan to call Lawyers I continued to call
until the train was nearly in sight Of my
Office, and got Lawyers just as 81 was
coming in sight He gave me clear block
for 81 at 6:12. 1 remember the time very
distinctly, and the train passed the block
at 6:14. AS No. 81 was passing Ragoon I
was talking to the operator at Lawyers.
He wanted to know when No. 80 was by
me. 1 told him at the time my sheet
shows, but I cannot recall the minute. Then
l asked him, When by your and he said
By but did not give me the time. I did
not give No. 81 clear block until the
operator at Lawyers gave me authority,
and I can prove this by Operator Clemmer
and by the student operator, who has been
studying at the Office for the past year.
When No. 81 had entered the block Law
yers told me that No. 80 was by, and when
1 asked him the time SO I could record 1t
he opened his key and did not reply. No.
81 had gone then.
II do not feel responsible for the acct
dent. and have been and am now where
the railway detectives or authorities can
find me at any time. have no desire to
get away. but would court an investigation
to clear the matter up"