The Washington herald., 1907-12-19
LIGHTS IN EVIDENCE
Trainmen Recite Story Ofthe
Wreck at Terra Gotta.
STATEMENT OF THE ENGINEER
Mr.. Baker, in CrOss-examinatiOn,
Seeks TO show that Crews of Both
Trains Held Conference and
Agreed to support Contentious of
HiIdebrand ns to Color of Light.

sought TO show that the crews Of train
Go and equipment train 2l9O conferred i'm
mediately after the wreck at Terra Gotta
December 80, and agreed to support the
statement of Engineer Hildebrhnd-
If the light at Silver Spring Was white
il was the duty of the engineer and the
crew OF train 2l2O to proceed to Takoma
and get d signal there.
If the light was double green, it was
the duty Of the crew to proceed cautious
". with the knowledge that train was
using the cross-over somewhere between
Silver Spring and University, the next
block station beyond Takoma.
Trainmen on the stand.
During the day Engineer Vermillion,
Conductor Frank F. Hohmeier. Fireman
McClelland. and Brakeman Rutter, the
last three named being members Of the
train crew under Indictment. were on the
witness stand. Engineer Hndebrand viii
go on the stand to-day.
William A. Norris, baggagemaster. who
was on train 212Q when the wreck oc-
CURED, was also a witness yesterday
Engineer Vermillion. Of Frederick local
66, was the first witness. AT the cues
uoning of Attorney Davis. for the de-
fense he outlined the movements of the
train from the time it left Frederick De
eember 30 in the afternoon, and testified
to the train having the same time OF
transit on Sunday as on other days, not
withstanding there are many more stops.
when you passed Silver Spring what
kind of light was displayed?" he was
asked.
Double green" he replied
When the engineer was turned over to
the government for cross-examination he
was put through a series OF questions
concerning the testimony he gave at the
coroner's inquest and before the Inter
state Commerce Commission
The COrOner's Inquiry.
Did you testify before the coroner's
inquiry that when you passed Silver
Spring a double green was displayed ?'
asked Mr.. Baker.
Yes, sir; I did"
Did you not testify to the same effect
before the hearing held by the Interstate
Commerce Commission?"
7 did"
Now. then. Mr.. Vermillion. a day after
you had given this testimony. did you
not state in the district attorneys office
to the effect that this statement as tC
the double-green light was false. and as
a matter of fact, a white light was dis
played at Silver Spring. and that after
the wreck both crews got together and
agreed to protect Engineer HildebranC
and say that a double-green light was
displayed?"
mo, sir; I do not remember such z
conversation"
Then you do not remember. either. be-
ing in the district attorneys office, and
stating you had a record OF twenty-seven
years service, and had never run by q
signal which called for you TO stop, anC
that you did not intend TO allow thi:
agreement TO mar this recOrd?'
Il do not remember"
Baggagemaster Norris testified he saw
only the station lights at Takoma wheI
2l2O passed, and ii was travelling at the
rate Of about twenty-five miles an hour
and slowed down when it reached Stotts
about a half mile from Terra Gotta, 4
about eighteen miles an hour. and wher
train 66 was struck il was moving at Z
speed Of about thirty miles an hour