Lovelock tribune. (Lovelock, Nev.) 1898-1912, 1907-04-19
WHO TURNED THE
SWITCH AT BROWNS
Inquest Held In Reno to Investigate
Cause Of HamptOn'S Death.
Railroad Officials Desire to Know
Who is Responsible for Switch
Being Turned and Locked.

| iHc itot Vi tHc Weck oil luq ucSt
was held in Reno, to determine the
cause and, if possible, the RESPONSE
bility for the death Of Engineer F.
Z. Hampton, who was killed in the
recent wreck at Browns. As the ac-
cident occurred in this County. the
question arises, "How can an inquest
be properly held in Washoe County ?"
DR.. Scott, the physician and surgeon,
who went down from here and at
tended the injured, was summoned as
witness. He could throw no light
On the question as to how the engin-
eer was killed. He viewed the body
and was satisfied that death was al
most instantaneous.
There was puite number of rail-
road employees present who had been
present at the time of the wreck.
leading to the siding on which the
collision occurred, was left open. All
agreed that the switch was not brok-
en-, and that it would have been i'm
possible to have carried the passeng-
er train on the siding without either
breaking the switch or opening it.
All who had looked at the switch
few minntes after the wreck also a.
greed that it was open and locked at
the time.
The inference was drawn that all
who testified believed that the switch
had been opened and so locked, by
someone, between the time the
freight engine had coaled and return
ed to its place in the siding. and the
time the passenger train had dashed
upon the siding little later.
The conductors, brakemen and en-
ginemen who testified all adhered to
the same set of facts as previously
published, but when it came to the
expression of a belief or theory as to
the vital question-that is, how the
switch could have been opened. or by
whom-not one had such an opinion.
belief or theory.
Superintendent Rowands resents
the insinuation that the officials of
the company have endeavored to in
terfere with the holding of an inquest
or in any way tried to blockade an
official inquiry into the cause of the
death of Engineer Hampton.
THE first intimation had of their
wanting to hold an inquest was con.
veyed to me in note from Justice
Bell Friday afternoon" said Mr.. Row,
lands Monday evening. Il immedi.
ately notified all the witnesses whom
Justice Bell designated, that they
would be wanted at the Justices court
Sunday at 10 a. m. and so advised
Justice Bell.
Late Saturday evening received
second message from Justice Bel
stating that the inquest would be
held Monday at two o'clock p. m. and
| accordingly notified the witnesses
and made necessary arrangements for
their attendance. At no time was
ever asked to appear myself.
In regard to the suggestion thai
we have Intentionally disregarded tn,
law in bringing the body of Mr.. Hamp
ton back from the scene of the &C
cident before the inquest, | desire II
deny any such intentions. The caus
of his death was so apparent we di,
not deem an inquest necessary. Th'
company is as anxious as any one t.
know what caused the wreck and will
give all assistance possible to any
official inquiry. 1t is clearly to til,
company's interest to know in orde,
that repetition of the disaster from
the same cause might be averted."