The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-01-25
INQUIRY BOARD
REPORTS FINDINGS

The following Ia the findings OF
board OF inquiry convened at Ontario,
oregon, 1880 p. NJ, January 8.
1917. for the purpose OF investisat-
ing and placing responsibility Of ac-
eident TO automobile and injuries to
occupants at Mayberg crossing near
mile post 8h. Oregon Eastern
branch. about 1855 p. NJ, January
', 1917. The board was composed OF
the following:
Representative OF the public: T..
A. Fraser, merchant, Ontario, Ore.
Representatives OF the railroad: /:
Chas. Z. Brooks, Asst. Supt. o s. L..
RR., Nampa. Idaho: l.. Rasmussen,
Claims Adjuster, o. s. L. RR., Poca-
tello; II. o. Drane; Agent. .. s. l..
HR., Ontario. Ore.
Find that Train No. 373 consisting
OF engine 1906, combination baggage
and passenger car and coach. in
charge of Conductor Paul o. Cayou.
Brakemen A. NJ. McAfee and John G..
Hoagland. Engineer Fred G. Payne
and Fireman Lawson Shepard, after
making inspection OF train and test
OF air brakes left Ontario on time at
1910 p. NJ. January 6. 1917. After
proper speed had been attained. run
ing test of the brakes was made and
everything found to be working sat
isfactorily Train passed Luse Sta
tion, Mile Post 81 on time at 1850
p. NJ. Approaching road crossing
known as the Mayberg. Crossing near
Mile Post GIh. Oregon Eastern
Branch at u speed OF Is or 30 miles
per hour. engineer sounded crossing
whistle signal OF two long and two
short blasts. passing the crossing sign
which is located about 1850 feet from
the crossing. Fireman shepard. who
was putting In q IRE, left the deck OF
the engine and took position on fire.
mans side to see II crossing was clear.
when engine was within or 4 car
lengths OF crossing. Shepard saw an
automobile with all curtains down.
approaching crossing from the south
about same distance from the cross
ing as the engine. running at n speed
Of 10 to 20 miles per hour and called
to engineer to stop. Engineer Inn
mediately shut on and applied the
brakes In emergency but was not able
20 stop train before colliding with the
automobile In which there were six
people. two OF whom were painfully
hut ont seriously injured and the aut-
omobile considerably damaged.
We further find the approaches and
crossing In good condition and the
crossing warning sign Railroad
Crossing Look Out for the Cars" In
proper position; track perfectly
straight for a mile and half eastward
and nothing 10 obstruct the view OF
drivers OF vehicles except a dense fog
which was hanging over the vicinity
OF the pccideht: that engine 1895 Is
FNHAlp'A WIN Ah AhA'lANAi' ''iN iAhb
er and that the bell was started ring
ing leaving Ontario and rang contln-
uously until fiye or ten minutes after
the accident occurred,
After listening TO the testimony Of
all available witnesses, the occupants
Of the automobile, train crew and per
sons near the crossing al the time, we
conclude that the employees we're In
their proper places attending 10 their
duties and no blame attaches to
them The weight of the evidence
shows that the crossing whistle, two
long and two short blasts. we're sound
ed as engine passed the crossing whis-
iling post about one-fourth of mile
from the crossing and engine bell was
and had been ringing from the time
the train left Ontario until after the
crossing was passed,
II appears from the evidence that
after the accident all members Of the
train and engine crew did everything
In their power to assist and care for
the people in the wrecked automo-
bile and their families.
Il. A. FRASER.
Representative of'the Public.
CHAS. f. BROOKS,
Assistant Superintendent.
L. RASMUSSEN.
Claims Adjuster.