Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27
JURY VIEWS THE WRECK.
Returns a Verdict ExoneratIng the
Railroad Company from all Res
ponsIbiiity-conductor Tells How
1t Happened.

1t Happened.
Coroner Geo. Hamllik and the jury
he impanelled to hold an inquest over
the remains of the three trainmer
killed in the wreck on the Moffat
road last Wednesday evening, went
to Denver Friday morning to view
the bodies. The jury was composed Of
l.. J. Rachofsky, ]. J. Hamllik, VIM.
Woods, George Launder, John c. Nc
Callister and John Bruhl. Deputy Dis
trict Attorney ]. Byron, accompanied
the jury.
The remains of the engineer, fire
man and brakeman were viewed at
McGovern's undertaking parlors. The
jury went to the homes of the con-
ductor and rear brakeman, the only
surviving members of the wreck, and
interviewed them as to the cause Of
the accident. They couldn't give a
definite account of the accident as
the runaway occurred within SO brief
time, the train was in a pile be-
fore they could realize what had hap
pened.
The conductor said the air on the
train was examined at Corona on the
divide, as is the regular custom, and
everything was found to be in good
working order. Coming down hte
steep grade the brakes were set but
in coming around a curve at Jenny
Lake. it was necessary for the en-
gineer to release the air. After the
curve was made and before the air
could be applied again the train had
gained such momentum that when the
brakes were applied they couldn't
hold the train. The engineer whistled
for the hand brakes and these were
set. The conductor and the rear
brakeman then went back to the ca
boose to await what they thought
| was certain death. Just as they enter
ed the caboose they looked out and
saw the lantern held by the head
brakeman. A moment later, they look
ed out again and the brakeman was
gone and they didn't know whether
he was thrown from the train or
jumped. He Was found the day follow
ing the wreck Under tons of coal.
According to the conductor and brake
man, the train was going fully go
miles an hour when the engine and
cars left the track. At the place
where the wreck occurred is level
place and the engine and cars piled
up in an immense heap. The tender
of the engine was thrown fully q
block from where the engine landed.
The cars were demolished and the
trucks were strewn about the noun
tain side. The brakes on the engine
had been set so tight. the wheels
were blue where the temper had been
taken out of the steel.
Saturday morning the jury left Den
yer for the scene of the wreck. The
inquest was held at Tolland and the
following verdict was reached by the
jury:
THAT the following named men.
to-wit, William A. Gray, A. H. Hos
ack and w. w. Fertig, came to their
death due to a railroad accident on
the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific
railroad on January 18th. 1910, be-
tween 6:45 and $50 p. m, three
quarters of a mile west Of Antelope,
in Gilpin county, Colorado, by the
train leaving the track; after thor
ough investigation of all witnesses
available and inspection Of the scene
OF the accident, We exonerate the
Denver, Northwestern & Pacific rail-
road from all responsibility, and We
are satisfied 1t is, one Of those un'
avoidable accidents that frequently
occur in mountain railroading."
The Denver papers intimated that
Coroner Hamllik and his jury had
been treated in a shabby manner by
the railroad company. but Mr.. Ham
llik states that this is not a fact. He
said the jury and himself were treat
ed in a very courteous manner and
the company very readily extended
any favor that was asked. The jury
returned to Central Sunday morning.
| ~-J Nrc ESroJ NgoEo