CORONER'S INQUEST S. & B. RAILROAD WRECK AT LITTLE YORK, N. Y.

 

Syracuse and Binhamton Railroad (Wikipedia map).

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, March 3, 1902.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

TESTIMONY OF THE MEN WHO WERE IN THE LACKAWANNA WRECK.

The Coroner's Inquest in Reference to the Wreck of the Lackawanna Snow-plow Near Little York on Thursday, Feb. 20, was Continued before Coroner Santee on Saturday.

   Geo. R. Ritzheimer, a resident of Syracuse, and an employee of the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. Co. for the past fifteen years, and for the past two years an engineer was the first witness sworn. He said: ''I left Cortland on the morning of the wreck at about 10:30 with a snowplow and two engines. I was on the engine next to the plow. Before starting l examined my engine, also noticed that the others examined the snowplow and other engine. At Little York another examination was made. My first knowledge of anything wrong was after the accident when I was thrown over the fence into a snowdrift. I last saw Garret Nagle alive after we left Little York."

   The second witness was James Fennell, the engineer of the second engine, a resident of Syracuse, and engineer in the employ of the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. for sixteen years, and employed by the company altogether for twenty-one years. "My first impression of anything wrong was a slight shock and I concluded we had run into a snowdrift. I got down and immediately reached for the rest of the men. I then examined the rails and found them torn away from the track, probably caused by the wreck. I know of no reason why the train should have left the track. I have used the same kind of a snowplow a number of times, when the snowdrifts have been higher." Upon cross examination witness said that so far as he knew the two engines and snowplow were in good condition. He thought they were going at a rate of thirty miles an hour. Had driven snowplows before, the kind used upon that day, and others. The rate of speed was not an unusual one for the work they were doing. Had at times driven that kind of a plow much faster. There was nothing about the track that indicated that it was out of repair before the accident. The displacement of the rails was evidently caused by the engines and plow leaving the track.

   The third witness was John Harrigan, a resident of Syracuse, a fireman employed by the S., B. & N. Y. R. R., for the past five years. "On the day of the wreck I was on engine 218, which was the last engine on the train. I felt the shock and thought we had run into a snowdrift." Witness stated upon cross-examination that so far as he knew everything was all right about both engines and snowplow and they had run from Cortland to Little York without any delay or mishap.

   The fourth witness was Superintendent A. H. Swartz, who resides in Syracuse. He said: "The northbound track had been previously cleared. Our roadmaster had been engaged that day clearing the southbound track between Cortland and Apulia. The plow used was a double tracked mould board plow commonly known as the push plow. It had been in our use perhaps ten or twelve years. Our experience with that kind of a plow has always been satisfactory. In my opinion it was as safe a plow to operate as any. Have had experience with other plows. This kind of a plow is in ordinary use in this section. Neighboring roads are using this plow and those who have made a change have come back to this kind. The New York Central is using this kind of a plow, especially on the R., W. & O. division, which is a bad division for snow, and is more severe than this section. The West Shore also uses it on the Chenango Valley branch. In my opinion the plow used was the best available device, and there is none too good for that purpose. It is a usual thing to operate two engines when the snow is heavy. Thirty miles an hour is a moderate rate of speed."

   The fifth witness, James F. Hogan, a resident of Syracuse, a roadmaster on the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. said, "On the morning of the wreck I had charge of the plows on that division. We were following the plow which was wrecked, a station apart. The first intimation of anything wrong was when at Little York I heard the whistle of the second engine which was still on the tracks. I got some of the men that were there on the plow and started for the place. Upon arrival I found the wreck. I went back to the Little York depot and reported to the superintendent at Syracuse, and telegraphed for the wrecking crew at Scranton. We then placed the injured upon our plow which had been following the other and brought them to Cortland. I examined the track and found the ties all right. The snowbank was not more than three feet high on the west rail and slanted toward the east rail. The snowplow used was as good a type of plow as could be used."

   The next witness, Walter P, Herrick, was sworn, who said: "My home is in Syracuse. I am a brakeman in the employ of the S., B. & N. Y. R, R., having been with them for two and one-half years past. Previous to that time I had been employed by the New York Central. On the morning of Feb. 20 I was on duty on the snowplow train. I examined the snowplow at Cortland and at Little York. As an extra precaution I spoke to the engineer asking him to stop at once if he got a signal from the plow preceding him of one blast of the whistle. As w e left Little York I was watching ahead from the cupola of the snowplow; I could not see much because of the snow that was flying from the plow. The first I knew the plow had left the track and was being driven to the west into the bank. The plow vibrated back and forth; I pulled the signal rope, but was dislodged from my position and the whistle did not blow; but l know that it had been in working condition up to the time the accident occurred, for I had tried it. I at once looked for my partner, William Shane, and found him on the side of the plow. He was unconscious and I thought he was dead. I carried him from the wreck and found that he was alive; I stayed with him a few minutes until he revived, and then went to the conductor and asked him about flagging train 906; he directed me to take a flag to Preble and flag the train. This I did. I do not know of any reason for the wreck of the train that day. The snowplow that was wrecked was all right when we left Little York."

   The next witness, Louie Moses, a resident of Tully, a section man on the railroad said: "We went to Apulia and back twice during the night and early morning. I helped examine the plow at both places and did not see or hear of anything wrong with it. I helped get some of the injured ones out of the plow."

   John Hogan, a witness says: "I am a resident of Cortland. I am a conductor in the employ of the S., B. & N. Y. R. R. Co. We were running about thirty miles an hour when we struck this bank. The first intimation that I had of the wreck was a slight jar at first, and then a heavier one. I thought at first that it was simply going into the bank of snow, but when the second one came, I knew that we must be off the track. I got out of the rear engine where I was riding as soon as I could and looked for my men. I found the engineer of the head engine and some of the snowplow men over the fence east of the tracks. I assisted in getting Brakeman Shane out of the plow, we found some fire in the plow, and I threw snow on it, putting it out. I sent Brakeman Herrick to Preble with a flag; afterward sent another flag toward Preble by Frank Simpson, foreman of the Blodgett Mills section as I knew Herrick was hurt and might not be able to get there. I could not find any ice in the snow or on the rail. I examined it very closely. There was snow on this track all of the way. We had gone through heavier snow between Cortland and the place of accident, possibly as high again as it was at the place of the wreck."

   The next witness was Peter McCormick, a section foreman for nineteen years in the employ of the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. Co., and a resident of Little York. He said, "My first knowledge of anything wrong was when I felt a slight shock. I thought we had come to a snowbank. As soon as I could I assisted in getting the men out of the wreck. As soon as that was done we began to throw snow to put out the fire. I then helped to place on the snowplow the men that were brought to the Cortland hospital, and came to Cortland with them. I then returned to the place of accident and helped to spike the rails. Noticed that the snowbank was not over 3 or 4 feet high. Am in charge of the track at this point. About three days before the storm the track was all right. The snow at the point of accident was not as deep as we had encountered that morning."

   There are three more witnesses to be examined, some of whom are unable to be out, consequently the inquest is adjourned until their testimony can be taken.

 

In Cortland City Court.

   Allen F. Rose, who was arrested this morning upon request of Dr. P. M. Neary for disturbing the peace, was arraigned in city court this morning, but was committed to the county jail for a week. He was unable to make any intelligent answers to the court, but persisted in vaulting the high railing and starting for the door.

   James Sloan, who was arrested last night on the charge of public intoxication, was given a suspended sentence.

   W. H. Pierce was arrested Saturday night and pleaded guilty this morning to the charge of public intoxication. He got off with thirty days in jail.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a meeting of Grover Relief Corps, No. 96, on Tuesday afternoon at 8 o'clock.

   —There will be a meeting of the Primary union at the chapel of the First Baptist church on Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock.

   Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will confer the first degree at their stated communication Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—W. J. Perkins, White Pine Compound, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co, Corsets, etc., page 6.

   —Delos A. Burnham has been keeping track of his eggs through February. He has forty-eight hens and during that month they have laid 665 eggs. These have all been sold at 28 cents per dozen.

   —A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held Tuesday, March 4, at 8 P. M. Devotionals will be followed by a program in charge of Mrs. E. P. Jepson. Subject, "Some Questions." Every one is most cordially invited to be present.