The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-07-21

Illuminating information as to the
ways of motorists was given by
George Partridge. 60 years old. nag
man at the Green-ave. railroad cross-
ing. Tuesday morning, In Coroner
Rothacher's inquest int the killing
of Joseph Fabyszsk, his wife Nettie.
and Miss Olga IwinSki. by a Pere
Marquette train, July 4.
Previous to July I, Partridge
worked Ia hours a day. from $40 q.
n. to $3.50 p. NJ. without relief. fer
S35 a month, or less than 10 cents
an hour.
Since the accident an additional
fagman has been put on. each work
Ing IL hours, so that the crossing
Is never without protection. He told
In detail Of his duties as flagman.
but could give no accurate estimate
of the number OF trains passing dur
ing the day.
I'm so busy some days don't get
any chance to keep track Of any
thing" he said.
tits very busy crossing, then?"
asked Assistant Prosecutor Keidan.
Eyes, very busy"
Witness stated that most Of the
trains are going more slowly now
than before tho accident If July 4.
Tardridge said he didn't know that
the orders Of the railroad commits
sion, Issued In July. 1908, required
that the fiagman remain on the
crossing from G a. m. till 8 p. m.
previous to July 4.
Since the latest accident, Pardrige
said he had been instructed to look
out for automobiles particularly.
Questioned by Attorney Brown, for
the Pere Marquette, witness stated
that he had a clear view OF the
tracks in both directions and could
see a train coming in plenty of
time to warn traffic on Green-ave.
do you have much trouble with
automobiles" was asked.
Yes, it's q pretty hard PROPOSE
ton. There arc some awful people
In these automobiles. Why, I've had
'em run up right under my flag. and
some go across like balloon just
hitting the high spots"
The only safe way to take the
crossing. he said, is to stop and look
before starting up the incline that
leads up to the tracks.
do you consider that a danger
Gus crossing?" asked Mr.. Keidan.
Yes, sir, l do. I've seen automo-
biles stall dead on the tracks many
a time.
And II q train were coming"
More work for the coroner" fin-
ished the witness.
Partridge was not on duty at the
time the accident, which occurred on
Sunday. The railroad commission
had not required the roads TO pro-
tect the crossing on Sunday, the one
day Of the week when a fagman
was most needed.
Joseph Walgiorski, IS years old
who drove the death car, fatty con-
tradicted Fireman Harry Wellman,
who testified. Monday, that the car
came to q dead stop on the track Ia
front OF the train and then started
ahead again, just as the engine
struck II.
Walgiorski said he made no stop
at all. but did slow up sitter reaching
the tracks. He did not see the
trnin. he said, until he was right In
front of II. II was then abont go
feet away. He heard the whistle
shrek and an instant later came the
crash. His mother, his sister. his
sister-in-law and himself were car
ried in the cowcatcher until the en-
CINE came TO q stop at Solvay-aye.
II called the engineer to come and
help me-" he related. but he paid no
attention to me"
Tears filled the young mans eyes
during his recital OF these details.
lis ep-father. who was killed In
stantly. sat with him In the front
seat holding his 5-year-cld boy. wit.
ness was on the side of the car
nearest the engine. but the point OF
impact was In the side Of the car,
beck Of his seat and he escaped
without even serious injury. The
family was returning from n picnic
in Wyandotte at the timc. Joseph
said he was driving about six miles
An hour when he reached the cross.
Ing and slowed down 10 about three