The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-12-19
HAD CLEAR TRACK
TO TERRA GOTTA,
SWEARS ENGINEER
Hildebrand TeStifieS Sta
tons Were Dark on
Night of Wreck.

Engineer Harry H. Hildebrand, who
ran train 2l2O into train &c, killing fifty
two persons. on last New Year Eve,
testified in his own defense before Jus
tice Stafford and a jury in Criminal
Court today.
Frank HommeIer,. conductor on the
death-dealing train, also went on tne
stand and told of the fateful trip from
Cumberland to Terra Gotta
Hildebrand was questioned rigidly
about the correctness OF his watch. He
said he had absolute faith in the time
piece and knew II TO vary seldom. The
engineer stated that train 66. carrying
about 20 passengers, left Washington
Junction at 4:47 o clock In the afternoon,
and he left at 5.2S O'Clock. We did not
stop from the time we left Washington
Junction until we struck So at Terra
Gotta" said the engineer.
No Lights Displayed.
Witness stated emphaticauy that he
saw no lights at Randolph, Forest Glen,
or Takoma. He was equally positive
that he lyft Silver Springs. at C.3l
O'Clock. and that a double green signal
was displayed there. Ale interpreted
tho double green rs meaning that he
had a clear road from Silver Springs to
University. or BroOkland.
7 knew Ii was 6:3l o'clock" said
Hildehrand, because l remarked 10 my
fireman that 66 was six minutes overdue
in Washington, and that the passengers
were on their way 10 their homes"
Witness said ne passed Takoma with
out seeing any lights. but this was not
strange, because the double green lights
which, he says, he saw at Silver Springs
meant that TakOma was dead" or
out OF commission, at that time II
was going at twenty miles an hour. 9"
declared Hlldebrand. We passed La
mond and Scots stations after passing
IakOma, and the next thing j knew We
struck Sc. There We're no fuses tor
pedOes, red lanterns, or flags behind IS
10 warn me Of the whereabouts OF the
passenger train
Did Not See 90.
did you see 66 or know It was at
Terra Cotta?" asked Attorney Davis.
Il did not" replied Hildebrand u
did not know the train was at Terra
Gotta until struck It"
District Attorney Baker attracted
some attention while CrOss-examining
Conductor HOffmeicr by standing before
the jury, and using his legs and trunk
of his body as signal post. mis- head
for a light. and arms for paddles Of the
signal post He did this 70 ascertain
whether or nOJ the paddles and .ights At
TaEOma would have been seen from an
engine cab after the station had been
that the paddles and lights could not
have been seen.
HOffmeier was also Cross-questIoned
about the correctness of his watch. He
SAID IL was almost infallable. The wit
G.-- stated That while at Washington
junction re asked the train dispatcher
bon Baltimore To let extra 212O 20 ahead
OF the slow local passenger train, but
Re request WIS not granted. Honmeier' S
testimony relative 20 the time of de-
parlure from Washington Junction.
double green signal, and absence OF
lEhts at Randolph. Forest Glen. and
Tdkoma, corroborated Hildebrands.
Hildebrand Under Fire.
During the remainder Of the morning
session District Attorney Baker put En-.
gineer Hildebrand through a grueling
croSs-eXaminauoa. After first testify
ing that II was the duty OF No Go only
TO look out for itself because it was be-
hind its schedule, and that he was not
running by the block system" Hide
brand was forced to admit that it waS
also his duty 10 look out for any and
all trains which were in front. He also
admitted that he knew 65 was ahead
and behind its schedule.
Just before adjournment Mr. Baker
created a mild sensation by asking
Hildebrand II he had not said TO q
station agent along the way. We'll
the passengers on S. are now in Wash
inEton rejoicing" Hildebrand admitted
sSying this. but said that he had meant
they were glad 10 get TO the city. in
stead Of meaning that they ought to be
glad they were not in front OF 2120 any
more as Mr.. Baker inferred.
Hildebrand said that he got a clear
ance card at BOyds, but he lost Il
Mr. Baker asked him n IL were not tru,
that he was going 100 fast TO get tin
card that II dropped on the ground a.
Boyds and that the operator had theI
4 called out 70 him that all was well II
i front. Hildebrand denied tins.