Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-06-29
REPORT OF BOARD INQUIRY.

A board of inquiry convened in
this city last Monday for the pur-
pose of investigating the accident in
the Montpelier railroad yards, which
occurred about 11:55 q. m. on
Thursday, June rs, resulting in
fatal injuries to Silas M. Wilcox. The
board was composed of W. H. Smith,
representative of the public; ]. X.
Davis, assistant superintendent; ".
E. McCarty, road foreman of engines,
and I. Rasmussen, claim adjuster,
representing o. s. L. railroad COM
pany.
After listening to the testimony of
all available witnesses, the board
made the following report:
That train extra $500 west ar
rived at Montpelier, Idaho, about
11:40 a. m. in charge OF M. E..
| White, conductor; Verde Burkdall,
| head brakeman; H. e. Dixon, rear
brakeman; H. A. Datesman, engineer
and e. A. Crockett, fireman; pulled
in on No. track where the engine
was cut and was backing to the
roundhouse on tracks No. z and No.
s, where 1t struck and run over Silas
M. Wilcox, about opposite the sec
ton clubhouse, severing both legs
below the knees, from which intur-
les he died about one hour later.
Further, we find that the engine
was being handled by Engineer
Datesman, who was keeping a look
out in the direction they were NOV
! fhg and he did not at any time see
the man on or near the tracks, his
view being INSTRUCTED by the tank
OF the engine; Fireman Crockett
who was on the left side of the cab
was also keeping lookout and ring
ing the bell, and observed the man
walking about six or eight feet from
the track in the same direction the
engine was moving, on the south
side of the track. Brakeman Burk
dali, who was riding on the rear enc
of the tank on the engineers side
was also keeping a lookout and OBJ
served the man the same as the fire
man. The engine was running at {
speed of about 8 miles per hour, OF
slight down grade, and after leav
ing No. track passed around a shor
: degree curve to the left, thence on
. to straight track for a distance o
165 feet, and when about 6 or fee
distant MIR. Wilcox stepped TOWARD
the track as IL to cross when thu
fireman called to the engineer tt
stop, and the brakeman gave a stol
signal; both OF them at this TIM
| were Cdt1luE " MI. WILMA W db
tract his attention, which was no
: needed owing to his being hard o
hearing.
The engineer Immediately mad
an emergency application of the air
brakes, bringing the engine to q stol
i in about 90 feet, the man being re
moved from between the engine ant
the tender. the four wheels of thu
tender having passed over his legs
The accident occurred at a poin
, in the yards where there are no pub
' lie or private crossings, the neares
being the main crossing about 100
feet east, and it is supposed that tn
man was intending to go up town. HI
: could have taken the roadway run
J ming off to the right and thus reach
ed his destination without following
the tracks. The weather was clea
: with practically no wind.
: We therefore conclude, after hear
: ing and analysing the evidence care
fully, that all members of the trail
and engine crews were in their prop
l er places and attending to their dut
D les and that no blame attaches t
them or the oregon Short Line Rail
road Company.