Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-08-06
LOOKS LIKE
BIG BLUNDER
Evidence Shows Wreck Due to
Violation Of Rules

According 20 the evidence submits
ted By II. 9. Bowdish. superintendent
Eof the Inland Railway company. at
the coroner's inquest, which Is being
held today In the courtroom at the
city hall for the purpose 81 determin-
ing the cause OF the DISASTROUS wreck
occurring on the company's road near
Lacrosse last Saturday afternoon.
when special west-bound train No.
colhded with the regular east-bound
train. MO 20, and fifteen people were
killed and about ninety injured, ii
was the duty Of those ii charge or
the special train to wait at the depot
in the city until the regular had ar
rived, and lii the event that It was
late not TO leave the station until
twelve hours had gone by unless or
ders to the contrary were received.
The inquest convened att 1890
O'Clock. with Coroner Wenz presiding
and Prosecuting Attorney Z. H. Potts
representing the state. and VIII
Graves. Of the law firm Of Graves s.
Graves, Of Spokane. representing the
railroad company. BY reason OF the
disastrous character OF the wreck the
inquest has attracted much attention,
and the courtroom was well filled
with people, who had come to listen
to the evidence adduced BY the Wit
nesses. Bowdish was the first wit
ness placed on the stand and nearly
all the forenoon session was con-
sumed with evidence from him. ex-
planning the general rules under
which the trains are operated on the
road and the condition Of the two
trains at the time the collision oc-
CURED. and also the working hours
Of the men in charge Of the trains.
Evidence Of Bowdish.
Bowdish. under the direct exam
nation 81 Prosecuting Attorney 6. Ii
Potts. testified that he had been iden-
titled with railroad work in one ca
pacity or another for the greater por-
ton Of his life. and for the past two
years and half he had occupied the
position OF superintendent Of the IN
land railroad company. He was then
asked as to whether the company had
any system under which it operated
trains from one station to another,
and testified that they were operated
Iander code Of standard rules, gotten
up BY special committee on trans
portation some years ago, and that
they were generally accepted and en-
forced BY all railroad companies. He
testified that an employe before be-
ing given employment must be exam
ined as to those rules and regulations.
and that all the men in the employ OF
the company had passed the examine
ton.
He was asked as to whether any
special orders had been put into effect
during the registration rush and re-
piled that bulletin had been issued
governing trains coming into the city.
The order provided. he said, that ali
trains coming into the city must turn
at the '.Y" before arriving at the
depot This was done. he stated. for
the purpose OF eliminating the neces-
slty or the train having to back out
and turn around again after arriving.
as It was feared that this regular
practice might cause some accidents.
as there was always a large crowd
about the depot.
special Mast Clear Track.
He was then asked as to the gen
eral regulations governing special and
regular trains ana replied that reg
uiar train always had the right or
way as against a special. and that
special need not protect itself Is
against another special without 4 spe-
csal order, but that il must. under Che
general rules issued By the company
keep clear 81 the regular. The two
trains Involved in The collision were
then taken Is an illustration By the
prosecuting attorney. and he vas
asked II the event that the special
vas standing af the depot aad the
regular train was late What TIE dnfy
of the crews IL charge Of The two
trains woaId be iie explained mat
the regular mnsi register before lsat-
ing station nna b assured that All
regular tralps hare arrived before
leaving bus ihat 4a lo spscial h
knew 4olhins and lhas L 1erolsaa