Connecticut western news., 1907-08-22

There were physicians on the train who volunteered their services and after the death of Mrs. Root, remained bv the side of Miss Root until Pittsfeld was reached. doing whatever was possible to make her comfortable. Canaan phy- sicians also went to the scene but the remaining victims were beyond help. The automobile was complete wreck. Just two portions of it remain intact and these are the left front wheel and the boiler. The balance of the woodwork and the machinery is a broken, twisted, worthless mass. Some portions of the machine were driven SO far into the ground that those who |ccleaned up the debris had considerable sdificultyi in digging them out. Parts of the machine, the luggage etc. were strewn along the track for distance of 500 feet
 Dr. John Reebe, medical examiner, of Great Harrington, visited the scene and gave permission for the removal of the bodies and undertaken Culver of the same town took them to his undertak- ing rooms. Friends of the family, from Bristol, reached Great Harrington late in the afternoon, took charge of the bodies ordered them prepared for burial and they were sent to Bristol on Mon- day.
 Just how Mr. Root happened to run his machine into the train is a mystery but the general belief is that he became confused when he realized his danger and was either too much frightened to steer the machine or else in an endeavor to change its course, turned the wheel the wrong way. It is not possible that he did not know of the turn in the road as he had been in this section on previous occasions and had travelled this road. It is generally be- leved by the train crew and others who saw the speed contest between the train and the auto, that MT. Root was trying to pass the crossing ahead of the train and failed. He was deaf as was every other occupant of the machine ex- cept the little girl but it is not con- sidered possible that one or more of them failed to hear the screech of the locomotive.
 Another plausible reason for the be- lief that MT. Root became confused, and also that he was trying to beat the train to the crossing, is that had he steered his car directly ahead instead of making the turn, he could have run it into comparatively level field and easily brought it to standstill The only obstacle would have been flimsy wire fence
 The only witness of the accident was Josephine Tinkawa, aged about 12 years. and whose home is near the crossing. She substantiates the story of the firemen relative to the blowing of the whistle and the ring ing of the bell and also says that MT. Root apparently made no effort to stop the auto but seemed to be trying to reach the crossing ahead of the train. She did not ,see any of the occu- panss of the oar try to persuade him to stop.
 When the medical examiner arrived and viewed the bodies, he found them lying on the ground where they fell Blankets etc. had been brought from near by houses and thrown over them to conceal the sickening sight which they presented.
 In Mir. Roots pockets were found bank book showing SIPS, ,45O to hls credit in the Farmers and Mechanics bank of Hartford, $11oO in checks and $2O0 in cash.
 MT. Root was about 50 years of age and was one of the leading business men of Bristol. He succeeded his father in the active management of small manufacturing plant on the. death of the latter in 1884 and he had made success of the business. He was manufacturer of brass hinges and novelties. A few years ago he bought the Gridley House in Bristol Later he acquired what was known as The Ebers property and after tearing down the Continued on page 7.)