Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1917-08-16
FINDINGS OF
BOARD 'OF INQUIRY

Findings of Board of Inquiry Con-
vened at Payette, Idaho, $50 +. M,
August r, 1917, for the Purpose OF
Investigating Accident Oh Automobile
..ruck by IRAN NO. 80, on Crossing
40. 900 BIC. About two Miles west OIL
tayette, Idaho, 1888 "A. M, August
70, 1911.
Members of the Board
! william Wells, Representing the
tuollc, Payette, Idaho.
! Il. r. Titus, Irainmaster, Nampa,
Idaho.
/ II. A. Palmer, Division Engineer,
| rocatelio, Idaho.
Charles hauck, Road Foreman Of
engineers, Glenns Ferry, Idaho.
/ l.. Rasmussen, Claim Adjuster, Po-
catello, Idaho.
We, the undersigned, convened as a
Board of Inquiry in the above entitled
case, after listening to the testimony
of all available witnesses and viewing
scene of accident, find as follows:
That Train No. Sc, consisting of En-
CINE No. 1888, Baggage Car No. 1855,
and Coaches No. 672 and No. STA, in
charge of Conductor William 7. Ennis,
Brakeman Ferdinand A. Piecher, En-
gineer Edwin M. Jacobs, and Fireman
Harold M. Peerman, collided with
Ford automobile bearing Idaho License
NO. 1902, on public road crossing No.
900 BIC. about two miles west of
Payette, Idaho, 1888 A. NJ, August
6, 1917, resulting in fatal injuries to
Frank Hahn, ST., Mrs. Alice Hahn,
his wife, Frank Hahn, Jr., Joseph
Hahn, his son, and Elsie Hahn, his
daughter, and serious injuries to Alice
Hahn, his daughter, and entirely de-
nolishing the automobile.
Further, we find, that the train was
equipped with air brakes in good
working order; it was running on
time, at a speed of about thirty-five
iniies an hour, on straight track,
signify ascending grade. Passing the
crossing whistling board which is
hirteen-hundred-tifty feet west
OF crossing the engineer sound
ed the whistle, two long and
Two short blasts, and started the
automatic air bell ringing. AS he
neared the crossing he observed the
automobile approaching from right
hand side of track, at distance OF
about seventy-five feet; the engine at
this time was about one-hundred-fifty
feet west of the crossing. When he
saw the automobile did not slacken
speed and that a collision was i'm
minent, the engineer instantly shut
off steam and made an emergency ap-
plication of the air brakes which
brought the train to stop in
distance of about five-hundred-
sixty feet.
Further, we find, that this crossing
is protected by standard crossing
sign, located in conspicuous place.
The crossing is planked full width
OF roadway and in good serviceable
condition. The approach to the cross
ing, commencing at the right of way
fence on the south, ninety-four feet
from center of track, is gradual in
cline rising four and One-half feet 1
with smooth surface. The view toI
the west from a point in the road, in
line with the right of way fence,
ninety-four feet south of center of
track, is. clear and unobstructed, and
an approaching train is in plain sight
for over one mile.
We, therefore, conclude that the
train and engine man were in their
proper places attending to their
duties, and no blame attaches to them
or to Oregon Short Line Railroad
Company.
WILLIAM WELLS,
Representing the Public.
r. f. TITUS,
Trainmaster.
E. A. PALMER,
Division Engineer.
C. II. HAUCH,
Road Foreman of Engines
L. RASSMUSON,