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| Photos of New York Central train wreck near Garrison, N. Y. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 7, 1897.
SENSATIONAL
THEORY.
Investigating
the Disaster at Garrison, N. Y.
WAS IT
THE WORK OF THUGS?
Marks on
the Engine's Wheels Lead to the Belief That an Attempt to
Wreck
the Train Was Made on That Fatal Sunday Morning.
ALBANY. Dec. 7.—Employes [sic] and officials of
the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad company, at the investigation which
was pursued by the board of railroad commissioners on the causes of the
disastrous wreck on that road at Garrison on Oct. 24, advanced an entirely new
theory as to the cause of the wreck, which was to the effect that obstructions
had been placed on the track to purposely wreck the train.
Superintendent of Motive Power William
Buchanan started this theory by testifying that he found an indentation on the
tire of the forward wheel on the right side of the engine truck which, in his opinion,
was caused by the wheel while revolving, coming into contact with some obstruction,
such as a railroad rail, placed on a 2-inch elevation on the inside of the
outer rail.
The tire [replaceable outer rim—CC editor]
of the wheel was exhibited, as was plaster of paris casts of the indentation which,
however, was plainly visible on the tire.
This theory was further strengthened by Mr.
Buchanan and P. H. Dudley, a rail expert in the employ of the company, in their
explanation of a fracture of the inner rail of the track, which was also
exhibited.
This fracture occurred where two rails had
been joined together. The nuts on the outer side of the nail plate, holding the
joints together, were broken off, and both of the gentlemen testified that the
simple derailment of the engine and train would not tear off the nuts, but that
they had evidently been tampered with and knocked off previous to the wreck.
Mr. Dudley also said that the end of one of
the rails looked as though a chisel or a wedge had been driven into it in an
endeavor to separate it from the rail to which it was joined.
Professor Burr of Columbia college and former
State Engineer Bogart, who were employed by the Central to examine the fracture
in the roadbed, both testified that the water coming down the mountainside and lodging
in a gully, on the east of the tracks, was not sufficient to deteriorate in any
way the condition of the roadbed.
Assistant State Engineer and Surveyor Leutze,
who examined the scene of the wreck for the commission, said that this water
coming down from the mountain first attracted his attention. He measured it and
found that it filled a quart measure every five seconds. In other words 4,320 gallons
of water came into that gully every 24 hours, and while he was there the ditch
which was constructed to draw this water away was dry.
The water had to go somewhere. He dug out
some of the roadbed on the outside of the fracture two feet above high tide
mark and it was wet. This was evidently caused by the percolation of the water
from the gully.
In his opinion this water and gully had a
weakening effect upon the embankment, but he could not say whether it was
sufficient to cause the break in the roadbed.
He knew of cases where the percolation of
water from the canal through the tow path caused the outside of the embankment
to break off in a vertical manner like that break occurred.
Many other witnesses were examined, but
their testimony was immaterial.
Among them was Michael Clare, who formerly
had charge of the section of the road where the wreck occurred. He testified
that he always considered the portion of the road which slipped away to be bad
and that it needed a great amount of care to keep it in condition.
At the conclusion of the hearing the
commissioners promised to hand down their opinion on the causes of the wreck at
an early date.
Railway
to Be Extended.
KINGSTON, N. Y., Dec. 7.—Because of refusal
of the Kaaterskill railroad to enter into a traffic arrangement for 1898, the
shareholders of the Otis Elevating railroad, the Catskill Mountain railroad and
the Catskill and Tannersville railway have decided to extend the latter railway
from Kaaterskill Station to Tannersville. The Catskill Mountain Railway company
has agreed to guarantee 6 per cent dividends on the balance of $55,000 of the
stock of the Catskill and Tannersville Railway company, provided for by
charter.
 |
| James J. Belden. |
FELL
DOWN STAIRS.
Representative
Belden of New York Was Seriously Injured.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7— Representative Belden of
New York, one of the veteran members of the house of representatives, was
seriously injured by falling down the marble stairs leading from the floor of
the house to the basement of the Capitol. When the reading of the President's message
closed Mr. Belden started for home, going by the west stairway. His foot caught
and he plunged headlong down the steps. When picked up he was bleeding
profusely from a deep gash in the forehead and another across the nose. It was
believed he had broken the nose.
He was carried to the committee room where
Dr. Booge, a member of the house, and Dr. Moffett attended him. Belden was
conscious, but not rational, and did not know his friends about him. From the
hasty examination made by the doctors it was feared concussion of the brain
might be brought on. The wounds in the head were bound up and the injured man
was taken in a carriage to the Arlington hotel.
The [Cortland
County] Supervisors Investigating Along Educational Lines.
Nearly all of the board of supervisors this
morning accepted the invitation of Dr. Cheney to visit the Normal school. It
was their intention to get there in time for chapel exercises, but when 8:45
had arrived nothing had been seen of the board. The morning exercises proceeded
as usual, and just at their close the lawmakers who had been waiting for one or
two tardy ones arrived, accompanied by Chairman W. H. Clark of the local
[school] board, and were ushered to seats reserved for them upon the rostrum.
After introducing them to the school, upon invitation of Dr. Cheney, short but
excellent speeches were made by Chairman Crane and Clerk Seymour. The former
spoke particularly of the need for the students to couple their work in text
books with a study of current events and great topics of the times in
preparation for citizenship. The latter made a strong plea for patriotism.
For a couple of hours after the speeches
were over the supervisors visited classes in different parts of the building,
and then returned to their work at the supervisors' rooms.
 |
| Main Street, Cortland, looking north at Court Street intersection circa 1899. |
FRANCHISE GRANTED.
ELECTRIC
LIGHT AND HEAT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
Cortland
& Homer Electric Company Secured this Privilege from the Board of
Village Trustees—Gas Question Not Touched Upon—Two New Streets Accepted— Other
Business Done.
The board of village trustees last night
after considerable discussion granted to the Cortland & Homer Electric
company a twenty-five year franchise for electric lighting, heating and motor
power. It had been expected that the gas question would come up again, and many
interested parties were present, including F. H. Morse, the Pennsylvanian who
has leased a large portion of the land about Cortland and Homer for the
privilege of testing for gas, and who already has a franchise in Homer. Mr.
Morse seemed to be there simply as a spectator, for he did not apply for a
franchise. The Homer & Cortland
Gas company was represented by its superintendent, W. S. Barker, and by Mr.
Truesdell of Syracuse, also by Attorney Edwin Duffey who was scheduled to speak
in opposition to the granting of any gas franchise. But the opportunity did not
present itself, and gas was not discussed. Secretary W. D. Tisdale and G. T.
Maxton of the board of trade were present and listened to what was said with
interest.
But the men who had especial business there
were C. D. Simpson and P. S. Page of Scranton, Pa., H. Bergholtz of Ithaca and
Hugh Duffey and Superintendent F. P. Mooney of Cortland, representing the
Cortland & Homer Traction company and Cortland & Homer Electric
company. Mr. Duffey set the ball rolling by saying that they were there to ask
for a franchise to lay tracks on Elm-st. between Church and Pendleton-sts., and
for an extension of the street lighting franchise. The Elm-st. franchise is the
same one asked for and refused by the board last year. Mr. Wallace thought the
village of Cortland was well protected in that proposed franchise, and
expressed himself as ready then to grant the franchise as drawn up by Judge
Knox last year. Clerk Hatch was out of town and Riley Champlin acted as clerk
pro tem. The safe was locked and no one could secure a copy of the proposed
franchise. Trustees O'Leary and Nodecker had never heard the proposed franchise
read, consequently did not feel like voting on the question, so action was
deferred. In this relation Mr. Simpson said that the Traction company was
willing to pay at once to the village the amount due the village on the
Railroad-st. paving as understood by the company, and have the legal
question determined in the higher courts in a friendly litigation at a minimum
expense, both parties to abide by the result.
The question of the lighting franchise was
then taken up. Trustee O'Leary expressed himself as opposed to any franchise extending
twenty-five years; he did not believe in tying up the village corporation that
length of time. Mr. Duffey contended that that would not be the effect of
granting the franchise; it is not exclusive. He explained that the directors of
the company had come a long distance to Cortland and very much desired a
decision last night. It was a matter of business with them whether the
franchise was granted or not. If it was granted, the company could feel secure
in its business here, and would have much less difficulty in floating its
bonds. Trustee O'Leary thought it unwise to grant the privilege for so long a
time, and suggested that the village might some time wish to own its electric
light plant. Mr. Duffey seriously doubted any such state of affairs. Mr.
O'Leary said that it had been done in many other places, and might be done here.
But he opposed the granting of the franchise here because he did not believe it
to be for the best interests of the village. Mr. Duffey remarked that he
thought the village ought to be liberal. The trustees ought to be broad gauged
enough to recognize the help the Traction company is to the village. It ought
not to be dealt with as an enterprise that can be placed on a truck and moved away
in the night time. It is here to stay; is one of you. Be liberal; be just, at
least. Trustee Warfield said he had nothing but the best of feeling toward the
Traction company, but as to franchises, was a little afraid of them. He was not
in condition to support the proposition without the board's clerk and counsel
present. Mr. Duffey suggested that there was no need of counsel in the matter.
It was so plain any school boy could understand it. Trustee Warfield thought
that from past experience there was some law connected with franchises, and
referred Mr. Duffey to the present litigation between the village and Traction
company over the Railroad-st. pavement which arose over the provisions of a
franchise. Trustee Nodecker jocularly remarked that there was no need of having
a lawyer draw up a franchise. They would surely leave some loophole for a
chance at litigation. That is their business. Trustee Wallace moved that the
franchise be extended. It was seconded by Trustee Nodecker. Trustee Warfield
called for the ayes and nays, which were taken with the following result:
Ayes—Trustees Wallace and Nodecker—2.
Nays—Trustees Warfield and O'Leary—2.
It became the duty of President Call to cast
the decisive vote, and he voted aye, thus granting the franchise, and the following
resolution became adopted:
Resolved, That the Cortland &
Homer Electric company, its successors and assigns, is hereby granted a right,
privilege and franchise and is authorized and empowered to place poles and
wires and the necessary and usual appurtenances thereto in and upon the alleys,
streets, lanes, avenues and other public places of the village of Cortland, for
the purpose of carrying currents of electricity for electric lighting, heating
and motor power, each franchise to be for the period of twenty-five years from
Jan. 1, 1898. Such poles to be placed under the direction of the street
committee of this board, and all work done under the provisions of this grant,
to comply with the requirements of the national board of underwriters.
Bills were audited as follows:
The bill of Kate Downs, who paid a fine of
$15.90 to Police Justice Bull in 1895, was
laid over until the next meeting. The bill was for the amount of the fine and
was presented on the ground that judgment had been reversed in the county
court.
Bingham Brothers & Miller's bill of $38
for two policeman's overcoats and caps was disallowed, the board having some
time ago adopted a resolution to the effect that the policemen purchase their own
uniforms.
Lewis Bouton presented a petition from the
Elmira, Cortland & Northern Railroad company and its losses for the right
to place another switch across Main-st. to and across and to the lands of Julia
E Hyatt. The purpose of the switch is to afford an opportunity for Mr. Seely of
Spencer to establish a lumber yard and office on the land. The matter was left with
the clerk to prepare for the granting of the application under the proper conditions.
Trustee Nodecker said he understood that the
village of McLean would like to purchase one of the old hose carts that was discarded
some years ago, and Trustee O'Leary was appointed a committee with power to act
in the disposal of the same.
Secretary M. V. Lane of the fire department
presented the list of changes in the department membership roll, which were confirmed
by the board. He also reported the nomination of Jas. F. Costello to be janitor
at Fireman's hall, and superintendent of the fire alarm system. The nomination
was unanimously confirmed. Mr. Costello thoroughly understands the duties of
the position, and will make a good official.
The board then proceeded to vote themselves
their quarterly salaries, the president, $75, the clerk, $33.33, and the trustees,
$25 each. There was no opposition to this proposition.
Trustee Warfield presented petitions for the
acceptance of Stevenson and Harrington-sts. and on motion the same were
accepted.
President Call reported that Mrs. George
Frost of 72 Clinton-ave. claimed damages by reason of injuries received by
falling on an alleged defective sidewalk on Clinton-ave. Trustees Warfield and
Nodecker were appointed a committee to investigate.
On motion of Trustee Wallace, Timothy P.
Keefe was appointed a member of the board of health in place of Edwin Duffey,
the district attorney-elect, who is therefore ineligible to serve on the board
of health.
The board adjourned until Dec. 20.
BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS.
Proceedings
of Cortland County's Lawmakers and Financiers.
Seventh
Day, Tuesday, Dec. 7.
On motion of Mr. Hammond:
Resolved, That pursuant to law the town clerks of the several towns be designated
as the proper authorities to cause to be interred bodies of honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors or marines of the war of 1861-65 or the Mexican war, and procure
suitable headstones for the same in accordance with the design of 1883.
On motion of Mr. Tuttle:
WHEREAS, Through a clerical error the amount
of state tax apportioned to this county for stenographer's fees, $393, was
omitted from consideration in apportioning state tax, therefore,
Resolved, That the county treasurer be authorized and directed to pay the same out
of the contingent fund or some other fund in which there may be a surplus.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That as a body we tender our thanks to the press of Cortland county for
the many courtesies extended and for the papers that have been supplied us
during the session.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That to our efficient chairman, W. H. Crane, we do express our thanks and
regards for his kindly manner and just decisions as presiding officer of our
board, and for the many courtesies extended to each of us. We shall long hold him
in kind remembrance.
On motion of Mr. Lee:
In recognition of the fact that the session
is drawing to a close, we, the members of the board do regard it a pleasurable duty
to give most emphatic expression of our appreciation of the service rendered
this board by A. E.
Seymour, Esq., whose ability and efficiency has only been equaled by and
commensurate with the faithfulness and cheerful alacrity with which he has adorned
and performed his duties, therefore,
Resolved, That we tender him a most cordial vote of thanks.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That the thanks of this board is tendered to our janitor for his efficient
services and courteous attention shown us all.
The $500 G. A. R. fund was on motion
transferred to the contingent fund.
J. Wesley Patrick, a former supervisor from
Cuyler, was given the privileges of the floor and addressed the board briefly, thanking
the members for the courtesy.
On motion of Mr. Hammond, notices of the
annual session of 1898 were ordered printed in the Cortland STANDARD, Cortland
Democrat and Marathon Independent.
Mr. Lee offered a resolution appreciative of
the reception tendered the board on its visit at the Normal school.
The committee on settling with supervisors
and clerk reported, auditing bills to the amount of $1,379.47, and the board
adjourned sine die.
BREVITIES.
—An effort is being made to organize a second
tribe of the Independent Order of Red Men in Cortland.
—The Baraca Bible class of the First Baptist
church will hold a business meeting next Monday night.
—The board of supervisors closed their
annual session at 12:30 o'clock to-day, having been in session seventeen days.
—The annual election of officers of the Homer-ave.
M. E. Sunday-school will take place at the meeting of the Sunday-school board
Wednesday evening.
—Attention is called to the president's message
printed on our third page to-day. We publish it thus fully as it was possible
to give only a brief synopsis of it yesterday.
— Palmer & Co. are to-day having the
Lamson cash system placed in their store. The work is being done by John J.
Walsh of Syracuse, a representative of the company. There are to be nine cashcars
running from various places in the store.
—Binghamton has its money all in [sight] for
a new $400,000 beet sugar refinery and is about to send two of its residents to
Europe to look up the latest and most improved machinery for use in the plant.
It will have a capacity of 400 tons per day.
—Supervisor R. Bruce Smith has received the
town and county orders belonging to parties residing in the town of Cortlandville,
and has left them at the First National bank, where they may be procured.
Orders belonging to parties residing at McGrawvllle have been given to A. E.
Seymour for distribution.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Bacon,
Chappell & Co., Holiday Enthusiasm, page 8; D. McCarthy & Co., Books
for the Holidays, page 4; Case & Ruggles, Holidays, page 8; A. S. Burgess, Bargains,
page 7; Bingham Bros. .& Miller, Big Inducements, page 8; McKinney &
Doubleday, Holiday Opening, page 6.
—Scarcely any better test of the excellence
of the Railroad-st. pavement could have been made then the passage across it of
the derailed runaway coalcar which was noted in yesterday's STANDARD. The
weight of the car and contents was about thirty-three tons and it ran of course
on the sharp flanges of the wheels, but it scarcely even made a dent or scratch
on the bricks. Good for the new pavement.
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