The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-12


AS the inquest proceeds the number OF
lawyeu in attendance increases. Friday,
the first day, there was but one. but yes
terday there were four, the majority OF
them representing prospective complain
ants. who suffered themselves or lost
friends.
The inquiry is principally confined to
the cases which were fatal OF proved
fatal after the injured were removed 10
hospitals
Today two witnesses were examined,
their names being George II. Godore and
George G. Gouty.
George II. Godore was the first witness
called, his testimony being as follows;
II am 10 years old and reside at l7l5
Westminster street, Providence. and by
occupation a siversmith. l was pas
senger on trolley car early on the morn
ing OF June and sat between the second
and third seats, my feet being on the
running board on the right side OF the
car.
at should say that there were about
40 passengers on the car: there were 13
seats and quite a few passengers on the
running board. There were six or seven
on a seat and there was a few passengers
who got on at Crescent Park but were
not members OF the party, three of the
outsiders getting on the seat with me.
Only one OF the running boards was down.
the right hand side"
Here the witness changed his testimony
and said that II was the left-hand running
board which was down. and his feet were
resting thereon.
Continuing, he said: There were pas
sengers between the seats, probably 10
or %, but could not tell IL there were any
passengers standing on the rear platform.
The car was not very much crowded.
IT am not familiar with the place
where the accident happened but thinks II
WIS at the foot OF the hill.
The car proceeded at about the same
speed the way from Crescent Park, which
was quite rapid, the car did not STOW up
on the hin.
There was a dim light burning at the
corner where the accident occurred: Il
was burning just before the accident oc-
Cured. The car was about % yards from
the light; and the night was foggy and
damp.
II could not see clearly where the light
was burning but the light did not shine
down so as TO show the street but illum-
mated a radius OF about & feet The fog
was low enough 10 obscure the light and
II was dark at the corner could see
about 100 yards In front and II IL w-fs at
the corner, all over II would have been
asy to see 100 yards ahead OF you.
II have no idea hsw far from the cor
ner objects the size of a man could be
seen
THE motorman made an effort 20 shut
off the brakes before the accident occur
red which was about 30 seconds before the
crash heard the motorman say nothing
before the car was overturned but don't
remember anything afterward being un-
conscious; I remembered about arriving
home; but was unconscious all the way
there looked at my watch about three
minutes beofre the accident occurred and
II was 1921 o'clock.
"I was acquainted with Alice r Frank
lin and Gustave Guertin. who were among
the killed. There was singing and per-
haps some shouting and blowing OF horns
on the car but did not notice but what
the motorman was sober coming home.
did not see him drink anything at Cres-
cent Park andw did not see him join in
any OF the amusements OF the party.
THE light at the corner where the ac-
cldent occurred was an arc light | be-
1ieve the motorman put on the brake so
late that the wheels could not follow the
track and think II would have been better
Judgment on hs part not TO have applied
the brakes at all. The brakes prevented
the full swinging Of the wheels The
electric light was TO the left OF the car.
which was toward che centre OF the street.
! got ON the running board and swung out
as far possible 10 see where the car
was going and looked ahead"
This eHdsa- testimony Of tt1ts witt
ness
George G. Gouty was the next wit
ness and his testimony was in substance
as follows:
Il am IL years OF age and live at 81
Appleton street Providence. and by occu-
patton musician.
II was on the car which was wrecked
June Sd In East Providence and sat on
a seat turned back with other passengers
The conductor was the only uerson on the
back platform and ne stood there until
Just before the curve was reached when
he went on TO the running board TO take
the tickets
II could not tell II there were any per-
sons standing on the front platform.
There were double seats on the car. but
old not see any persons standing on the
running board. but was told there were.
There were persons on the car be-
sides the members OF the party Mary
Iamouth. Delina Lamouth and Pretoria
Laporte and two men whom ! did not
know sat on the seat with me. one OF
the men was a member OF the party I
was member OF the party and think
there were about 100 on the car"
1T was not so very much crowded.
The rear car was more than a mile
IN the rear or the 'front.' car, but both
cars started at the same time At
first the cars were In company with
each other. but the rear one was not
in sight when the car reached the
bottom OF the hill at Moore's Corners
First sa wthe rear car after its
dsappearance after the wreck.
THE car came up from Crescent
Park at a rapid speed-faster than
had ever rode before-and went down
the hill at Moore's Corners Mt the same
rate, but did not notice ~ the speed
increased I'm going down the hill
II don't know that the speed OF the
car was slackened in going down the
hill. Did not see any post on the
hill; In coming up from the park
OF -the- party ware singing so-ac
were shouting; The car was not orn8-
mented. Don't know what the con-
dillon OF the motorman was.
THE night WIS dark and icxgy not n
thick fog. I remained at Moores Corners
until about 3:J a. m.