Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-08
BLAMES ENGINEER
Coroner Mix Gives His Report
 of the Railroad Accident.

VI sllC N0llI Vou hCClVCuse
 Coroner Mix has issued his report regarding the railroad wreck in this city, placing the blame for the whole matter upon Engineer Fisher. The report is as follows:
 Record of inquest held on the body of William H. Norton, who died March 2. 1907, at Waterbury, Conn.
 Having been notified on the 2nd day of March, 1907, that William H. Norton, white male, of age, late of the town and county of New Ha- ven, state of Connecticut. had come to violent death, in the town of Waterbury, in said county and state, and that his dead body was then lying at said towns of Waterbury, I took charge of said dead body and made all proper inquiry concerning the manner and cause of said death. After said inquiry and having reason to suspect that said death was caused by the criminal act, omission or care lesSness of another or others, I held an inquest, as to the manner and cause of said death. Said inquest was commenced on the 2nd day of March, 1907, at said town of Water bury, and continued at said town of New Haven. The following named persons were examined at said in- quest:
 John F. Fitzslmmons, New Haven.
 George w. Elkins, Jr., New Haven.
 William Flynn. Bridgeport.
 Burton Blatchley, New Haven.
 George F. Eaton, New Haven. Vernon B. Mckay, New Haven. Harry E. Jones, New Haven. Cornelius M Hull, New Haven. Joseph H. Dunn, New Haven. John w. Carr, New Haven. Having considered all the testi- mony taken at said inquest. l on the 7th day of March, 1907, made the following finding:
 William H. Norton was an engineer in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad company. was running regular passenger train from New Haven to Waterbury, and was on engine No. 1422. to which was attached baggage car. smoking car and one passenger coach. Said train left New Haven station at 11:40 P. M., and was due to arrive lat Waterbury at 12:49 A. M. Upon arrival of his train at AnsOnia at 12:0S A. M, March ?, stop signal was given him and he, together with his conductor, there obtained orders notifying them that they were to meet extra engine No 1764 at Hill Siding Ga railroad siding near Wa terbury) and that duplicate orders had been given to engineer and con- ductor of said extra train, No 1764, to run extra from Waterbury to West River Junction, meeting regular pas senger train, No 1928. and passing same while said extra was upon Hill Siding. These orders clearly indi- cated that extra train No 1764 was to meet regular passenger train No 1928, while it (the extra) was upon Hill Siding, and to take the north end of said Hill Siding, and that 1t was not to go beyond the siding until said train had arrived; and that reg ular passenger train, No 1928, was to proceed upon the main line to the north end of said Hill Siding. and, not passing extra No 1764. was to come to stop until said extra train had arrived. Said passenger train left Ansonia, where it had obtained orders, at 12:11 A. M., and left Union City tthe last station stop before reaching Waterbury, at 12:41 A. NJ. At about 12:45 A. M., and when said passenger train, No 1928. was upon the main line, and at distance of 32O1 feet from the north entrance Of said Hin Siding. extra train No. 1I64 collided with said passenger train. throwing both engines from the track and wrecking same. teles- coping the baggage car of said pas senger train. by its tender, and badly wrecking the passenger coach of said extra train, upon which there were between 60 and 75 passengers. The engineer of said passenger train, to- gether with his fireman, and the fire man of the extra train were almost instantly killed. and a number of the passengers severely injured.
 I find that conductor George F. Ea- ton and Engineer Will Edward Fish er of the extra train, before leaving Waterbury, which place they left about 12:42 A. NJ. March 2, were each ordered by duplicate written re- ders, the receipt of which they rer- ceipted for at the telegraph office in Waterbury, to run extra train from Waterbury to West River Junction. and to meet the regular passenger train at Hill Siding. and to take Hill Siding. so that said passenger train could pass.
 I find that said Conductor George F. Eaton of said extra train. said to Engineer Will Edward Fisher, as he was in his engine. Don't forget to take Hill Siding"
 I find that said Engineer Will Ed ward Fisher wholly neglected. dis regarded or forgot his said orders to take Hill Siding. and the warning of his conductor. and so doing caused said collision.
 l find that at the time said collis- ion occurred. said extra was running at rate of about forty miles an