The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1913-06-12
CORONER
BEGINS
HIS PROBE

Assurance of a thorough probing into
the tragic incidents of John H. Prohl's
death at the Clinton street crossing of
the Chicago. Indianapolis & railroad
Monday evening was given THE TIMES
today by Coroner Frank Smith of Gary,
who will come to Hammond this aft
ernoon to conduct the inquest at the su-
perior court building. In all proba-
bility the blame for the contractors
death will not be fixed today or even
this week.
A Month III Needed.
DR. Smith said: IF it takes a month
will obtain every bit Of evidence that
can be brought into the Inquest. If any
one have not been subpoenaed who are
said to have witnessed the tragedy.
will see that they are
The conflicting testimony of two wo-
men. Mrs. George Bouck 141 Clinton
street and Mrs. John Rudolph, III Clin-
ton street. as has been published, will
no doubt be heard by the coroner to-
day. These two women, together with
Mrs Alice Herbst. 144 Clinton street,
and other minor witnesses have been
summoned Mrs. Rudolph stated to
reporter this morning that her husband
objected to her being a witness because
of er condition
Lines Not Subpoenaed.
All this will be Strengthened out in
the inquest. but very probably not be-
fore certain other alleged witnesses
are called in. Frank Lines. a car
penter employed by Morris Bros, is
evidently lodging the inquest as best
he may: that is, he has not volunteered
testimony as far as can be ascertained
The two girls who are said to have
reporter spent the entire afternoon
chasing down gossip. rumors and some
body's opinion, all given in good faith,
but nevertheless indefinite. One of the
girls is said to be the daughter or niece.
or cousin, or something of railroad
man working out of Gibson who lives
in a fat over a fruit stand. garage, a
! saloon. etc, all conjecture.
smith Is Committed.
Sherlock Holmes might give it up,
but not Coroner Smith. The shifting
of evidence will continue until the sieve
is empty of everything but rocks The
Indignation of Hammond against the
railroads turned to anger with the kill
ing of John Proh1. and DR. Smith has
been made 10 realize that through the
newspapers. If Lines and others did
see the tragedy they will be called
Z upon to tell what lHeN AHOW anu lHc
Judgment of the coroner withheld till
the last bit of evidence Is in.
Hinges on Ono Point.
A fraction of a minute in the lower
/ ing of the gates makes all the differ
| ence in testimony of the two known
eye witnesses. Mrs. Rudolph and Mrs.
Bouck Mrs Bouck said this morning
/ that there is not the slightest doubt in
/ her mind that the gate did strike Mr..
Prohl Mrs. Rudolph said that they fell
/ in front of him and that he half rose
and turned putting up his hands as II
to ward off the onrushing train. BUT
| EVERYBODY AGREES THAT THE
/ MONON PASSENGER WAS GOING AT
| A TERRIFIC RATE OF SPEED AND
| THAT PROHLS CAR WAS MOVING AT
LESS THAN EIGHT MILES AN HOUR.
| The gates may have been lowered
| before the little light runabout but 1t
seems hardly possible to many. The
gates was splintered lengthwise and
mechanic said that it must have come
down on top of the car.
Had the gates dropped in front of the
Ford runab bout it is the opinion of
many that they would have killed the
| engine, turned the car completely
around or enable Prohl to stop 1t. It is
possible that the coroner will be able
| to bring out new testimony that will
| clear the affair of specula tion.