Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-18

1t was train No. II, and il was about
1855 \. NJ. The conductor told me 10
investigate and telephone to him at
Augusta. went back on track, found
rear brakeman, who said there was
trouble back. Went south with him
and saw pieces al wreckage all along
and at Lowelrs crossing saw another
horse. Identified team and horse and
supposed Couvrette was driving. Con-
tinued south until Couvrette broken
sleigh and robes were found. Felt of
pulse and heart and found that he was
dead. Came back with brakeman, found
the horse on Second street: drove him
along to Academy street, where horse
turned down. Immediately notified
Coroner Henderson, Undertaken Wool
and assistant, Mr.. Smith. Went back
to depot and with station agent, Mr..
Douglass, went down the line to the
scene OF the accident and there re
manned until Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Hen
derson arrived. AS we investigated,
We found that Couvrette came onto
the track at Milliken's crossing. We
followed up the track until we came TO
where he was struck. He came up on
east track all the way and this train
was on the east track. was as dark a.
any night without moon; clear
night. There We're not enough traces
to show that the team was trying to
turn off the track.
Mr.. Wood testified in substance as
follows: As remembered, some where
about 40, Mr.. J<ilgore came to my
house and told me there had been Il
smashup at Milliken's crossing. This
was Wednesday morning the 10th. Mr..
Smith drove to Milliken'S crossing,
found the man about halfway between
the Vaughan overhead bridge and
Lowells crossing. We found q cut be-
tween his eyes running over his left
eye. We took him to the undertaking.
room and the body was later viewed
by the jury. The only bruises Were
on his head and face. The arms and
legs were perfect. He remained in the
basket. Tracks showed where
he had turned on at Milliken's cross
ing. He came down on the west side
of the street, crossed the railroad
track. In tracing the runners should
say We're full length runners.
The distance from Milliken's cross
ing to the place where the body was
found is about 20O0 feet. The body
was 90 or %; PAGES from the traces Of
the accident. The sleigh was going
east up the track. The nearest highway
was second street. Track is compare
lively straight, not much curve, not
enough to Obstruct the view going
east There We're no signs of liquor
on the man.
Benjamin F. George, engineer, was
called and sworn. Said he was employed
as engineer on 18th day of January, on
engine 2SS, drawing train No. Il, run
ming from Portland to Bangor. Left
Gardiner 10 minutes late, about L.
81. The speed after leaving Milliken 5
crossing was about 80 miles an hour.
I applied brakes at first street, that is,
Second street. The first thing l knew
of the accident was when the horse
came out under engine, should judge
within two cars from where make stop
DID not know had been accident until
arriving at station. Examined engine
and found some pieces OF rubbish on
the front end, such as Il top and part
of back Of sleigh.
Window was open all way from
Milikens up. Front window was clos
seen through Pretty hard to say how
far ahead an object could be seen.
Furnace door open much OF time, fire.
man coaling as it was up grade. Sat
on right side of the engine and could
not see round the corner of the engine
very well, and could not say that
could have seen the sleigh if it had
been on right hand. The sleigh WAS
on the left hand side. Saw on object
on track and the last whistle was
given at Milliken's crossing. Applied
the brake at usual time and came into
town in the usual way.
The train was 10 minutes late but
we did not make up time. Had been
running upon an engine ii years. Felt
no shock and account for it in this way.
Engine weighs over 100 tons and Il
little thing like 1t team does not give
any shock. ! watched the switch sig
mails. There is no block signal in
corning from the overhead bridge. Ii
had seen an object on the track be-
tween the Vaughan overhead bridge
and the Second street crossing Il dis
lance of 600 feet. train could have been
stopped very quickly, that is, could
stop probably in the length Of the
train if it was a good rail and VI
grade.
Frank l.. Means. of Portland, fireman,
testified was coaling all way from
Gardiner up. Knew nothing of the ac-
cident until we reached Hallowcll
Seat on The left hand side of engine
Should not say it was his duty to keep
watch on the track. but was in hands
Of engineer. Customary for engineers
to look out for signals, if any on his
side of the engine. Did not feel any
shock that night. Do not have much
time to watch signals: it IS duty of
engineer
After listening to the testimony the
Jury came to the following agreement:
Kennebec, IS.
"An Inquisition, held at Hallowell.
within said county. on the 10th. day of
january, in the year Of our Lord, 1907.
before f. NJ. Henderson, Esq, one of
the coroners of said county, upon the
view of the body of Ephraiin, alias Al
fred Couvrette. there lying dead. by
the oath Of +. r. Anderson. Howard T..
Andrews, J. c. Whittier, c. a. Cole.
George a. Cole, w. II. FitZsimmons,