Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-30
marks on the ties, outside of the east
rail and between the rails.
Engineer is Called.

E. S. Pritchard, the Rock Island en-
gineer, who was on engine zoos, and
who was the only engineman who es-
capped with his life, was called. Before
his testimony was fully begun he was
asked to step aside so that others could
testify before him.
Others who We're examined this
morning were Claims Attorney George
z. McCaughan, of the Rock Island
Chicago; and DR.. N. E. Mighell, F. NJ
Wilbur, and w. P. Estel, all Of this
city.
Tuesday Afternoons Evidence.
Nineteen witnesses, all of them Great
Western officials or employees, were eX-
amined by the commission during its
two sessions Monday. None of these
witnesses, however, was able to throw
any material light on the subject, and
Just before the hearing adjourned
Tuesday evening Commissioner w. L.
Eaton who is examining the witnesses,
announced that the commission would
like to have any one who knew any
thing that might aid in the investiga-
ton to come before the commission
and tell what they knew.
The witnesses examined during Tues
day afternoons session We're railroad
employees who had either had a part in
operating the wrecked train, or had
been to the scene of the wreck soon at
ter the disaster.
Cause of Wreck Suggested.
A broken brake beam on the head
tender which was found after the
tender had been picked up, was sug-
gested as a possible cause for the de-
railment. None of the railroad men
who saw in it a chance for an explana-
ton of the derailment would say that
it was the cause, and all of them were
are willing to believe that it was brok-
en- by the derailment as they We're that
it was broken before the tender went
off the track.
Division Master Mechanic T. H.
York, of Des Moines, was the first OF
the witnesses who mentioned it, but
he admitted that there was no way of
determining whether the brake beam
had dropped before the accident or af-
ter it. He said that he had examined
the engines and the tenders and the
track and that he found nothing that
would indicate a reason for the derail-
ment
Say Track Was Good.
Much of the time during the after
noon was spent examining witnesses
who Were Informed regarding the con-
dition of the track. These without ex-
ception, testified that the track was in
a normal and good condition, and
that while it might have been trif1e
soft its condition was better than usual
for this time of the year.
A detailed statement of the condition
of the track, of the renewal of ties and
rails and the work done in ballasting
was obtained from Division Roadmas-
ter William Flynn, who was examined
very closely His knowledge added
nothing. however. of value to the in
vestigation, excepting that the track
was safe and in good condition. Flynn
said that judging by the flange marks
on the ties. the engines had run 240 feet
off the rails, before they were stopped
by the bank.
Farmer Gives the Alarm.
It is interesting to know as bit
Of history Of the wreck, that the first
news Of it to reach the railroad COM
pany was telephoned to Gladbrook by
farmer who lived near the scene OF
| the wreck The alarm was transmitted
to A. c. Stevens, chief dispatcher fol
the Great Western, by the agent at
Glasfbrook Mr.. Stevens said it was
$50 o'clock when the news first
reached him. He then told Of the steps
taken to get relief to the scene.