The Monett times., 1922-08-11
ENGINEER is BLAMED
FOR WRECK
Open Verdict Is Reversed When Coro-
ner 0bjects-Was Reading Orders
When the Crash Occurred.

De Soto, Mo-, August Blame fc
the Missouri Pacific wreck at Sulphu
Springs Saturday tonight, whic
caused death to thirty-five and iniur
to more than one hundred, was fixe
on Engineer Matthew Ginger Glen
of fast passenger No. 4, by coroner
jury which investigated the disaste
late today.
The jury at first returned an opel
verdict, but later reversed its opin
ion, stating that Glenn, who was kille,
when he leaped from his cab, had fail
ed to observe signals warning hin
that the track ahead was not clear
Members of Crew Testify.
In arriving at the verdict, the jury
heard testimony of members of the
crew of both trains, which, in effect
was that neither train received orders
pertaining to the other. Members OF
the crew on No. testified no orders
had been received that No. 32 was on
the track and members OF No. 80 de-
clared no orders had been received
that No. was behind them.
After the first verdict was returned
Coroner George w. Eldors, of Jeffer-
son county objected and the jurymen
thereupon reversed themselves and re-
returned the following verdict:
"The persons killed in the wreck
came to their death through negli-
gehce of Engineer Matthew Glenn in
failure to obey signals"
Engineer Glenn had received orders
"on the run" to pull over on a siding
at Cliff Cave, fifteen miles south of
st. Louis, to allow the Sunshine
special No. to pass and it is believed
he was reading these orders when he
passed the block signal, warning him
of an unclear track.
No. orders had been received con-
cerning No. 80, the testimony Showed,
and the signals were the only means
Of showing the track was not clear at
Sulphur Springs.
James A. Long of this city, con
luctor of the local, testified they had
received no orders to take siding at
Sulphur Springs, adding, "We had no
dea No. was so close behind"
Did Not See No. 4.
Long stated he did not see the fast
lyer approaching but heard some one
'ell: Here comes No. A." and that
lie was running to tell the engineer
When the crash came. 1t was testified
hat the local had net been taking on
water at De Soto for several weeks
md when asked whether this order
lad been issued in connection with the
trike the witnesses replied they did
lot know.
The rear-end collision occurred as
70. 80 was taking on water at Sui
hur Springs and j. Cross, engineer
+ No. 80, testified he stopped for
yater, not knowing No. was so close
ehind.
1t was testified that orders had
cen received several weeks ago, not
o take on water at Dc Soto.
Continuing his testimony, Engineer
iross stated the crash occurred be-
ore he had time to put out a flagman.
w. E. Long, fireman OF the illfated
10. 80, and brother of Coz ductor
.ong, testified orders had, been re-
eived for No. SO to take siding at
Vickes, several miles north, to allow
he fast flyer to pass.
]. E. Gragg of st. Louis, conductor
No. 1, declared they had no orders
oncerning No. 80. He stated they
ad received their last orders at
riverside, six miles south of where
he accident occurred. He added that
e was in the door of the baggage car
hen the crash came and had only
me to shout: We're on No. So"
r. R. Ragland of De Soto, signal
lpervisor for the Missouri Pacific,
lated that all of the blocks between
iverside and Sulphur Springs had
cen inspected by him and found to be
i perfect working order at Gas D. m.
riday. These signals were the ones
hich Glenn was said to have gone by
ithout noticing.
The death toll was brought to
lirty-five this afternoon with the
sath of Pearl Goff of Cadet, No., a
ster to Beulah Goff, who was killed
the wreck and a niece of William
off, who was injured. n
NI0VC FIVE O,f~J 0f,Lr pT TrNrr, \