The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-03-24
G. ". NOT RESPONSIBLE
Inflated Train Not in Safest Place is Jurys Verdict
Declare Wellington Disaster Due to Agency Be-
You'd Human Control---Lack of Coal Cited


jury which investigated the Yelling
ton disaster, arrived at a verdict last
evening in which the following con-
illusions were set forth:
That the death of Lightweight or
more persons in the avalanche, March
1, was caused by an agency beyond
human control.
That the railroad officials believed
from experience that the location of
the trains on the siding west of We'll
lington station was safe from snow
slides.
Should Have Moved Trains.
That the Great Northern Railway
company had other siding east of
Wellington station which were safe
and that the trains should have been
placed there.
That the railroad company did not
have sufficient coal at Wellington to
cope with possible emergencies.
That by reason of the small wages
paid by the railroad, thirty-five la
borers left Wellington who should
have been retained for the purpose
of providing for the safety and well
fare of the passengers.
Thought Sidings Safe.
The inquest into the Wellington
disaster occupied five days, during
which time thirty-four witnesses were
called. The jury visited the scene
of the avalanche and went deeply in
to the history of snowslides in the
vicinity of Wellington
That the railroad officials who
were in charge of the situation at
Wellington believed that the sidings
west of the station were safe, the
jury was convinced.
Aside from the testimony of wit
nesses, the fact that Trainmaster A..
r. Blackburn slept in car on the
siding and was killed, indicated to
the jury that he had faith in his
judgment and that of other officials.
The case Investigated by the jury
is officially known as that of John
Brockman and eighty-seven Or more
Others" Mr.. Brockman was veal
thy farmer of Waterville.
The Jury!s verdict.
The verdict follows:
John Brockman and eighty-seven
or more others came to their deaths
March /, 1910, by reason of snow
slide at Wellington, King county,
Washington, the cause of which was
beyond human control; that said
John Brockman and eighty-seven or
more others were upon two trains of
the Great Northern Railway company
which trains. being snowbound, stood
upon the siding west of the Yelling
ton depot.
"The railway officials in placing
the trains where they did believed
from past experience that the location
of said trains was safe.
Not i'm Safest Place.
I'VE find that the trains were not
in the safest place to avert posi-
BILE accident, as the company had
other siding east of said depot on
which the trains should have been
placed, that are safe from any snow
slides.
''The evidence shows that the Great
Northern Railway company did not
have sufficient coal at Wellington to
cope with all possible emergencies.
"The evidence also shows that by
reason of the small wages of only
Is cents an hour for shoveling snow,
out of which wages the laborers have
to pay $3.50 a week for board, about
thirty-five laborers left Wellington
who should have been retained re-
CARELESS of wages for the purpose Of
providing for tse safety and welfare
of the passengers.
&c. L. WILSON.
JOHN E. DAVIS.
GRANT SWEET.
"a. J. CALDWELL.
81. c.. SNYDER, Coroner"
JAMES HOPKIRK.
DAN HARRIS.