Year: 1870

The Coroner and His Jury at tho Scene


Conductor Parker In Jersey City Awaiting


the Result-Statement Of Eyewitness


The Inquest to Commence T0-Day-Wbas


superintendent jackson says.


1t is satisfactory to know that Coroner Burns, Of
Jersey City, shows that he is determined to have an
inquest in the case OF poor Pat Lane which will
be no mock inquiry, but which will satisfy
the public mind. Whatever may be the verdict OF
the jury, public opinion s almost unanimous in con-
demnation Of the outrage, and no amount OF white
washing can relieve the parties implicated Of the
odium Awhich Will ever cleave 10 them In con
necti0n with this most unjusifable out
rage-the latter term is TOO mild-ior in the
opinion Of many 1t IL o murder. People will hardly
credit the fact that even newspapers have become
apoogists for the railroad company, and the conduc-
tor and these sheets pronounce the AFFAIR an acci-
dent. An attempt was oven made to blast
poor La,ps reputation by the statement
occurrence. This was enectualIy disposed Of how ,


ever, yesterday by Coroner Burns, who informed the
jury that he had been intimately acquainted with
Lane for years; that he never knew him 10
drink any liquor; that Lane and he had
been on duty together as constables in the
Hudson County Court that he was In company with
Lane on the day In question, and when they parted
in the afternoon Lane as sober and collected rs
usual But admitting that he was intoxicated, then
Parker's conduct can never be excused.


Coroner Burns, the jury (of which Hosea F. Clark,
President OF the Common Council Is foreman) and
several members of the press visited the yes
terhay. The railroad company was re-
presented by superintendent Jackson and Mr..
George w. Barker, master Of transportation.
OF the work at headquarters, IL exception to the
blur, kigh-toned, imperious officials one generally
meets in railroad corporations. He IL one OF the
very few men connected with the New Jersey Railroad
whose intercourse with the public is regulated by
people and not the people for railroads. He pointed
out to the jury tile different places on the bridge
which Will ,. be alluded to in the forth
duced the night watchman, as well as
passenger named Boylan who was on the
stated thst he witnessed "the eutre transaction
Oh By the order Of Parker, and, going directly
Not more than ten seconds elapsed from tie
board. Some one cried out to hun to look out
or he would tumble into the water, but Lane
spesE wora When ne s into nOa the aS Wa,s
the conductor jumped or and told him ~ hold on
there TIL a boat arrived; two boats were on hand
within i've minutes, but Lane had disappeared; the
train stopped ten minutes after the occurrence.


The foregoing statement would justify the infer
hurried across the track for the purpose Of jumping
overheard. There was not member OF


IN the aouS, " w0 ,Ss Sd .ss1y S snsn his sSa
Parker an obligng, accommodating con-
ducor most anxious for the safety OF the passenger
whom he had expelled In the darkness OF night on a
bridge where man unacqnainted with its construc-
ton would be left the alternative OF being drowned
evidently took the risk Of the former There
is space Of six and half feet between the ties OF
the up and the down track and Nr. Jackson laid
stress on the fact that could waz In safety be-
tween two passing trains, ~ the bridge covered over
the entire distance There are not many men, aow-
ever who would be willing to make the expert
menL II person is SO nervous In the daylight,
he feel in the darkness oi night when the
powerful headlight Of the locomotive almost
blinds him. and the laundering or the tram over
bridge N the silence OF night Is something awful
in itseff Lane moved directly TO the side
walk AZ the most secure position In hts
opinion. This IL the most rational explana-
ton. He fell twenty-four feet before he
reicned the water, and according to the testimony
oil the Waterman there was depth OF thirty feet Of
the part Of Parkerker--f Boylan's statement
be tlue--to cry out to Lane Hold on