New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-21
VANDERBILT NOT SURE
. PELL DROVE DEATH CAR
At Inquest Witness Qualities
Previous Testimony About
Fatal Accident.
MRS. PELL HAD SAID so
Hence His Previous Statement
She Is Now on Way Abroad
Mrs. Laimbeer, Widow of
Victim, May Be Called.

rFro,n a STAFF Correspondent Of The Tribune
Long Beach, Long Island. Aug. %
William *. Vanderbilt jr., was the prin-
cipal witness to-day at the continuation
OF Coroner Neus inquest into the deaths
of s. Osgood Pell. William Laimbeer ana
Mr.. Pelrs chauffeur on the Long Island
Railroads crossing at Wreck Lead on
Sunday night August g. The fatal acct
dent followed a dinner given by Mr.. ana
Mrs. Laimbeer at tho Nassau Hotel, at
which Mr. Vanderbilt was a guest.
Two DAYS after tho tragedy Mr.. van
derbilt told members Of the Public SER
vice Commission at their investigation
that Mr.. Pell was driving his own car
when he was killed, and that no did not
zee how the accident could have occurred
as approaching trains were visible to au-
tomobllists on either side OF the crossing'
To-day he testified that he was not sure
whether Mr. Pell was driving. DIVINE
10 delay in leaving Long Beach, his
car. in which Mrs Pell rode, trailed be-
hind the wrecked car. Mrs. Pell he SAID
told him that her husband was driving
but he said he could not swear TO the
accuracy OF her statement
Coroner Neu was disappointed because
Mrs. Peil did not appear AT the inquest.
She sailed for Europe yesterday to visit
relatives. Her counsel. Charles T. Cald-
well. explained that Mrs. Pell was close
to a mental and physical breakdown. Her
brother. who lived in tho West, died TINS
week. and that fact was kept from her
before sailing. he said.
Mrs. Laimbeer. who was sufficiently re-
covered from her injuries TO be told a
few days ago OF her husbands death.
may testify before Coroner Neu. she IS
tho only living witness who can thro"
any light on the actions OF Pell or MS
chauffeur Just before their automobile was
struck. Her condition Is such that the
Coroner will postpone taking her tesu-
mony for several weeks.
Lester Hamilton, twenty years old, VINO
was riding I'm the front car OF the train
was a new witness to-day. His story ala
not differ materially from that OF Conduc-
tor Bells. although some curiosity was
aroused AZ 10 what he might have 10 say
because he ran away from Otto Paine
the Hampstead policeman. who saw MN
tunp of the motorman's cab after tho
collision.
Mr.. Vanderbilts narrative or his part
I'm identifying Pell and Laimbeer ana MS
attempt TO keep the news OF PelFs death
from Mrs. Peu. who was waiting in MS
car n few hundred feet away from the
scene. was as dramatic as ever. but the
witness was more composed than "neh
he appeared before the Public Service
commissioners.
Marshall Covert. A Brooklyn newspaper
man living in Flatbush. will probably be
a witness at the next hearing. for when
no date has been set By Coroner Neu'
Covert. IL is said. was In an automooNe
that preceded Pell's car over the CROSSING
by about five hundred feet. Coroner Neu
wants 70 learn the speed at which this
car was travelling. The motorman OF
the train has testified that he saw two
cars 10 over the crossing almost aoreas'
and about five hundred feet in advance
~ Polls car. lie thought they were max
ing about the same speed as his train
which. he said, was from twenty-five 10
thirty miles an hour.
Other witnesses to-day corroborated
preyious testimony that the warning
whistle was sounded for the CROSSING
and that the head lamp Of tho train. IA
well as tho first three cars. was lighted