Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-01
INVESTIGATING.
Continued from Page One.)

the operator at Lawyer, who did no
know that No. SO had gone in upon Tho
block.
mo. 35 broke down at the south enc
of the curve and as soon as the trair
stopped the flagman ran back to PRO
tect his train. AS far as we can lear.
the 1iagman had proceeded about 3O(
yards when No. 81 was in view on tht
curve. Engineer Mckinney saw the
signal and applied the air emergency
brake. but he did not have time t,
leave his seat before the collision tool
place"
He added that Mattoax had thus ia,
not been found.
Supt. of Transportation TAYLOR said
today that all efforts of the company
so far to locate Operator Mattoax. who
was operating the block signal towe,
at the entrance Of the block in whict
the accident occurred. had failed.
The cause Of the awful wreck nca,
Lawyers depot. 10 miles south Of th:<
city yesterday morning. in whicI,
President Samuel Specer ana his par
ty of prominent New York and Ralti-
more men lost their lives. is laid alb
Solutcly ut the door Of {. d. Mattoax.
the operator, who was in charge of :hc
block telegraph station at Hangunn
MattoaN, who disappeared after being
relieved less than an hour aftr, the
accident. ha$ not been found drspitr
the fact that railway detectives have
Sourcd the country around the wreck
and about his home at Sandy Level IN
Pittslvanid county. 30 miles from TIL
scene of the accident on Il small branch
line of the Southern
An official of the Southern Railv-Ay.
late this afternoon stated that the
company VAS DESTROYS of anprehcndiny
Mattoax in order to secure a state
ment from him that might throw some
HSht on the cause that led him to al
low two trains in the same block at
the sam" time This official WAS not
prepared to state today whether or NOT
the company would take steps to pros
ecute under the laws of the state Of
Virginia. An examination by an As
sociated Press representative Of the
telegraph sheets kept at the Rangoon
and Lawyers block offices show that
Mattoak allowed train NJ. So tho
Jacksonville express. upon the block.
the train passing his station getting a
clear track from him ut sos o'clock.
The operator at Lawyers tho next
station ahead. claimed that Nrttnax
did not ask him for clear track fnr
No. SO AMI he therefore did NOT know
that this train had passed Rangoon.
The block sheet at Lawyers bear;
out this claim. The sheets al both Of
fees show that the operator at Ham
COON asked lawyers for Il cIca: track
for No. 81. the Washington and South
western NcStibuieI Limited, and Tho
Lawyers operator, not knowing SO was
in the block gave No. 81 the right Of
way at 6.l4 O'Clock. and No. 81 passed
Rangcon at that time. # Matto:tx
had reported train No. So on the block
to Lawyers. there would have been
on accident at EanSoon until the Jack
sGnville train had cleared the block
at Lawyers.
Superintendent w. s. Andrews Of the
Danville division. late this afternoon
explained that tho report that the on
CINE of the forward train had gone
som" distance ahead of it's train when
it became detached WAS erroneous and
thc fact is the engine did not leave IL
train moro than 20 feet. the airbrallos
applying Immediately on the engine ~
we'll as the train. The trouble was in
the breaking of a hnucklo Of the draw
mead on the front end If the forwar /
car. Tho trainmen were repairing this
when the collision occurred
Assistant General Superintendent y.
II. COapman stated tonight there is
net the slightest doubt but the ragman
made every possible effort to nratcr,
tho rear of the train, but he could not
get around a sharp curve in time to
prevent tn" collision. As soon rs En-
Cincer Kenny saw the signal he arplioI
the emergency brakes and stayed AZ
his post to the last.
Washington, Nov. Gothic bodies of
Charles d. Fisher and Frank r. Rod
wood. both Of Baltimore. who wcrn
killed in the collision at LAWYERS Va.
W hon President Samuel Spencer of tho
southern Railway. lost his life. wcro
sent tn Baltimore today Arranrcmruts,
tor the funeral Of President Spencer
h@v" not been completed. but In" burial
probably will be in Washington.