The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-07-24
G. K. Jeffries, General Super
intendent, Learns Details
of the North Fifth Street
Accident.
HE CONFERS WITH
~ LOCAL OFFICIALS
Says All Those Injured Will
Be Settled with Satisfac-
torily. - Admits Fault Of
the Company.

An investigation of the street car
wreck of Monday night in which six
teen persons were injured, is being
made by c. K. Jeffries, general mana
ger of the T. H. |. & E. Traction COM
pany, who arrived in Richmond at
noon today. He was closeted this af-
ternoon with local officials, and the
crew of the city car, Ben Sanford and
Barney Woods. A visit to the scene OF
the wreck was made also.
Jeffries refused to state what action
ing that future action depended on the
findings made. He stated that the
company was at fault, and that set
Elements with all victims would be
made as soon as possible.
Sanford gave testimony to Jeffries
regarding the wreck. He said that his
car was apparently in good order, and
that the brakes were in good cOndi-
ton. He said that the first time he saw
the interurban car, was when 1t was
about one hundred and fifty feet from
his on-coming car. He then applied
sand to the tracks, reversed his car,
and applied the brakes to the best of
his ability. He said his brakes caught
on the wheels, and that the wheels
slipped on the rail, coasting down into
the freight car, with wheels locked.
Sanford states that he has witness
es to vouch for the fact that the inter
urban car was coming toward him al
fair rate of speed at the time of the
accident, and also witnesses who saw
the wheels of his car skid on the rails
He says he does not intend to resign
for he believes he was not at fault.
No Explanation.
The crew of the freight train which
was admittedly on the city cars time
when the accident occurred, will be
called before Jeffries to answer the
charge of running off schedule. The
men have so far made no explanation
aside from stating they could no
make the hill because of the oil or
the tracks which stalled them. Wit
nesses living near the scene of the &C
cident claim the interurban cars were
stopped, but will not state positivel,
that the freight had stopped when il
! was struck, saying they saw it stop
ped a few minutes before.
Why the oil was placed on the track:
will also be Investigated. At the time
of the application of black oil on tht
streets here last year, it was noticea
BILE that cars on the Main street hill
| from Fourth to First street, could no
be controlled with safety. Notice wa:
given at the time that such practice
was DANGEROUS If the oil had not beer
on the tracks it is said the interurba1
could have made the ascent of the
hill, and the accident would have beer
averted.
Victims Better.
All the victims of the wreck were
reported to be better today. John T
Alexander, the worst injured, is re
ported as resting easily at the hospi
tai. His advanced age gave rise to the
opinion that his death would be {
matter of but short time, but he ha:
withstood the strain remarkably well
Ira Woodlands condition is also i'm
proving.
Miss Irene Pottenger is still in {
very weak condition at her home IL
Benton Heights. She is still on the
verge of hysteria.
= Miss Marjorie Meagan, 406 Nortf
Ninth street, is much better today.
Mrs. John Evans, Linden avenue. i:
still in a very weakened condition
Her shoulder is giving her much pain
and she is unable to raise her head
from the effects of the shock and in
juries.
Miss Bessie Paddock is slightly bet
ter.
Mrs. Fred Broman, Mrs. H. A VIII
son, Mrs. A. L. Spencer, Mr.. George
Meyer, and others slightly injured are
recovering slowly, most of them being
very weak from the shock.
About one-third of those hurt were
settled with by the claim agent of the
traction company yesterday, who pai6
a hurry-up visit to this city for thai
purpose. Most of the victims refused
to settle Immediately.
Action by the city council in de
manding an investigation of the wreck
may be made at the next council
meeting. Mayor Zimmerman is of the
opinion that such an investigation ii
out of the jurisdiction of council, but
as that body will soon have the ques
ton up, Of the final revocation of the
car company's franchise, the council
men as q body believe they should
know the fun facts of this case, II
order the better to judge action taker
in the franchise matter.
The investigation viii cover severa
days, and will probably be attended
by other officials of the traction com