Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-28
ASKSSAFFGUARD
FOR CROSSINGS
CORONER'S JURY URGES RAIL
WAYS TO ACTION
TRAINMEN HELD 5LAMELEsS FOR
LATIN ACCIDENT
Testimony Differs as to Whether Auto
Was Moving When Struck.
Funeral of Five VIC
Tins Monday

Safeguards at dangerous crossings
and proper enforcement of laws regu-
lating the speed of interurban cars arc
two of the recommendations made by
the coroner's jury which investigated
the fatal accident Thursday night at
Latin junction. The jurys verdict
rendered yesterday after two hours
taking of testimony at the morgue OF
Cunningham & O'Connor, exonerated
the train crew of all blame for the
killing of Nicholas Jacobs and his
four children, and the serious injury OF
Mrs. Jacobs and her six-months-old
baby. Eight witnesses were called, in
cluding Peter Jacobs and the three
members of the train crew. Coroner
Hartwell personally conducted the in
vestigation which resulted in the fol-
lowing verdict:
Jury's Verdict
"Nicholas Jacobs came to his death
by fracture of the skull while riding
i'm an automobile which was struck by
a car of the Pacific Electric company
at Latin station.
From the evidence, we believe the
crew i'm charge of this train used
every means to avoid the accident.
grettable accidents, we urge the Of
ficials of the different companies, espe-
cially those operating interurban lines
upon which heavy trains are run at
great speed, that every ossible precau-
tion be used to properly safeguard the
lives of the people.
"And we further urge that the proper
city and county officials cooperate
with the companies in effecting speed
laws at dangerous crossings or other
means to prevent calamities of this
nature"
Says Auto Moving
Peter Jacobs, the only member of the
bereaved family who was well enough
to appear before the jury, testified that
he had gotten off the Watts car at
Latin station. He said that as he
stepped around the end of the car he
saw a car approaching from Watts.
and at almost the same instant saw
his father drive the automobile on to
the car tracks. He declared that the
machine was moving and that he saw
his small brother jump out of the auto
and attempt TO flag the oncoming
train by waving his hat. He said the
next thing he remembered was the
crash which crushed out the lives of
his father and four brothers and
sisters.
w, II. Turner. chairman of the board
Of trustees of Watts, said he also had
left the Watts car at Latin. He said
the auto was standing still on the
tracks when the car hit 1t. He saw
that a collision was imminent turned
his wife's face away from the sight,
and then called to Jacobs to Come
on" too late, however. to prevent the
fatal crash. Robert Dubois testified
that the machine had stopped on the
way to the accident and T. c. Lacey
testified as to the circumstances sur
rounding the Jacobs party leaving the
Lacey home. Daniel M. Wood gave
substantially the same testimony as
that given by Turner.
Motorman Tells Story
Motorman w. II. Terwilliger was
placed on the stand to give his version.
He told II in a rather awed voice. His
face was pale and he seemed to feel
the strain he had been under since
the accident. Motorman Terwilliger
said that he had whistled four times
when 1000 feet from Latin crossing and
had slowed down his train slightly.
When within 400 feet of the crossing
he said he dscerned some object an
proaching the tracks. He whistled
again, he said. and slowed down lit
tie more. thinking that the track would
be cleared. When about $50 feet from
the crossing he testified he saw the
auto and it's contents stop on the
tracks Immediately ahead of his train
Then he whistled applied the air and
reversed the power, too late to prevent
the collision. Conductor e J. Holland
and Trailer Conductor Abraham c.
Goss testified as to the actions of the
train after the air had been set
The 1urys verdict is considered a di-
rect slap at the laXity of the laws re-
garding train operation and an indict-
ment against the Pacific Electric COM
pany for not having crossing gates or
signal bells at Latin and other dan
Gerous places The company claims
that because there is nothing much to
obstruct the view of anproaching trains
there is no necessity for gates or bells
at Latin.
Funeral services for the five victims
will be held Monday morning at $3.50
at CUNNINGHAM e. OConnors mOrgue.
and at $50 at ST. Patrick's church.
when Rev. Father O'Reillv will say re-
QUEEN mass. Interment will be in CAL
vary cemetery.