Coroner
Swears In a Jury and Takes Testimony.
CAUSE OF
WRECK NOT SHOWN.
Conductor
Parrish and Others Tell Their Experience When the Train Jumped the Track—Toucey
Believes Engine's Machinery Broke Down.
COLD SPRING, N. Y., Oct. 28.—Coroner William
T. Wood and jury commenced their inquest last night into the cause of the death
of the 20 victims of the New York Central disaster of last Sunday morning. The
inquest was held in the town hall in this place, which was filled with
wirelesses and spectators.
The coroner was assisted by District
Attorney J. Bennett Southard as examining counsel.
Charles R. DeFreest, secretary of the railroad
commissioners, and C. C. McEntee, stenographer of the same board, were present
but took no part in the proceedings beyond taking notes on the testimony. It
was announced that the commissioners will make a further investigation later.
The railroad company did not appear to be
represented at the inquest.
The jury sworn in is as follows: John F.
Donoghue, grocer, Garrison; John C. Biggs, grocer, Nelsonville; Alexander Spalding,
druggist, Cold Spring; Charles A. Miller, butcher, Cold Spring; William Pilson,
paper hanger, Cold Spring; Charles Dalzell, stationer, Cold Spring; Charles
Selleck, undertaker, Cold Spring; Fred Camp, hardware, Cold Spring; James Y.
Dykeman, grocer, Nelsonville; Charles Lewis, gardener, Garrison; Howard Coleman,
undertaker, Cold Spring; Henry Ferris, bookkeeper, Cold Spring; Irving P.
McCoy, editor, Cold Spring; Charles Valentine, blacksmith, Garrison; Albert
Terwilliger, United States sub-inspector, Nelsonville.
The first witness sworn was Edward O. Parish
of Buffalo, conductor of the train, who limped painfully as he walked to the
stand. He said that he had been employed by the New York Central for 27 years.
He was unable to tell how many passengers were in the train because he did not
have his report with him. He said that the six sleepers carried 15, 13, 6, 9,
13, 12 passengers respectively.
"When the accident happened the train was
moving about 40 miles an hour," he said. "I was sitting awake in the
day coach and there was at least 10 passengers in the car, including two women
and one boy. I am unable to state how many besides myself got out of the day
coach, but I saw four or five escape from the first sleeper."
While the conductor was testifying, General
Manager Toucey of the Central, with D. W. Tears, assistant counsel of the road,
entered the room and took seats near the coroner.
Edward B. Brown of Buffalo, trainman of the
wrecked train, followed the conductor. He testified that he was in the day
coach when the train went into the river. There were at least 10 passengers in
the car. When asked if he made any observation of the condition of the track after
the accident he described the hole in the roadbed, but could not explain the cause
of it. He said that he had no recollection of ever being stopped, or of being required
to slow up since he began running on that road.
Charles A. Cunningham, the second trainman,
of Rochester, testified that he has run on train [No.] 46 for four years. He said:
"I was seated in the last sleeping car and
was thrown on the floor without warning. I did not feel the brakes applied or
hear the whistle. I cannot recall ever having been stopped at or near this spot
before. I have never heard any opinion expressed by railroad men as to the danger
of the place."
The trainmen were notified to appear at the
next hearing on Nov. 4.
Following them George Drake of New York was
called. He was conductor of the last sleeping car, and one from Montreal. His
testimony was immaterial.
Albert E. Brecken of Buffalo, the Warner conductor
in charge of five sleepers, testified that he was asleep in the car Hermes,
which was the second sleeper that went into the river. He described the accident,
and his experience in helping to get the passengers out of the cars.
Burrill Hill of New York, the colored porter
of the sleeping car Anita which did not go into the river, testified that he saw
one person swimming in the river, but he was rescued. He helped to get the occupants
out of the sleepers and believed that all were saved.
Eugene A. Schuster of Jersey City testified briefly.
He was porter of the Diana.
At this point Sam Ping Lee, president of the
Chinese society which claimed the bodies of the eight Chinamen, appeared and
took a seat where he could hear the testimony.
The next witness was William Patterson of
New York, who was porter of the Hermes. He
had positive knowledge, he said, that every sleeping car passenger escaped.
"Have you ever heard or known of any
danger at this point?" asked the district attorney.
"No, sir. I have been running over this
section of the road for 30 years, and never knew of any danger there
before," said Patterson.
Silas W. Anderson of New York, porter of the
car Racket River, also testified and his testimony was simply corroborative of
the preceding witnesses.
The hearing was productive of no information
whatever bearing upon the cause of the disaster.
SUSPECT
WRECKERS.
Detective
Would Not Talk—Foyle and McKay Still Missing.
COLD SPRING, N. Y., Oct. 28.—Chief
Detective Humphrey of the Central railroad was asked if the arrest of any
person was contemplated on suspicion of having caused the wreck of the State
express.
Mr. Humphrey admitted that the railroad
officials suspect that the roadbed was blown out by dynamite, but refused to
divulge any information. He said that his instructions were to report the
result of his investigation personally to President Depew.
The diver who was at work searching in the
river for the bodies of Engineer Foyle and Stenographer McKay had no success.
He says that the bodies are either buried in the mud or have been washed away.
Two divers assisted by a steam dredge will
continue the search.
The body of Isaac Rettenberg was taken to
New York by the dead man's brother, Jeremiah Rettenberg, of 88 East One Hundred
and Fourteenth street.
The body of Guiseppe Paduano is still
unclaimed. A telegram was received from the postmaster at Seneca Falls stating
that there is a letter in the office addressed to Paduano from Leo Paduano, supposed to be his brother,
of 413 Watertown street, Newton, Mass. Coroner Bevier has sent a telegram to
that address.
The body of the woman known as No. 12 is
still unidentified.
Touchy
Thinks the Engine Broke.
NEW YORK, Oct. 28.— General Manager Toucey
of the New York Central believes that the Garrison disaster was caused by a
break in the engine's machinery. Mr. Toucey said:
"I believe something broke on the
engine and ploughed up the ground and jarred the roadbed so that it loosened
and slid into river. The sudden stopping of the speed of the train caused the
cars to double up on each other and helped to loosen the roadbed. That is what
I believe caused the accident. That is the conclusion I reached from my
investigation of the facts. If there had been a dynamite explosion before the
train reached that place, the engine could not have passed over it and 75 feet
this side, as it did."
 |
| Capt. Gen. Valeriano Weyler. |
SPAIN'S
REPLY RECEIVED.
President
McKinley Refuses to Make Its Contents Public.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28.—The long expected
message from Minister Woodford in Madrid, containing Spain's answer to the
United States message regarding a settlement of the Cuban situation, has
arrived at the state department.
Minister Woodford did not send the answer
complete, reducing it to about 1,000 words, which fully embody the sentiment of
the missive.
After due opportunity had been allowed the
president to read the message an application was made for a statement of its
contents, or nature. This was declined by Secretary Porter, and it was said
that under no circumstances would the correspondence be made public before
consideration by the cabinet.
From unofficial information that has
resulted from certain administration officials in advance of this message of
Mr. Woodford's as to the nature of the Spanish reply, it was evident that in
neither language nor subject matter is the communication likely to be taken as
offensive by our government.
It may be, it is true, regarded as
insufficient to meet the issue made by Mr.
Woodford
in his note, but officials of the state department say that in view of what has
already been accomplished by the new Spanish cabinet in reforming abuses in
Cuba, in removing Weyler and in projecting what appears to be a liberal measure
of autonomy, our government will certainly rest, at least until congress
assembles, and afford the new Spanish government reasonable time to carry out
its plans.
INDICTMENT'S
GALORE.
Against
the Sheriff and Assistants for the Lattimer Shooting.
WILKES BARRE, Oct. 28.—The grand jury has
to-day returned a true bill against Sheriff Martin and his deputies for the
Lattimer shooting in the recent miners' strike. The indictment included nineteen counts for
murder—one for each of the eighteen men killed and one for all of the victims
considered collectively. Thirty-six true bills were also found the same way on the
charge of felonious wounding.
The re-entry in the proceedings of Garman
and McGharon who withdrew from the case when the preliminary hearing was had indicates
that the prosecution will be pushed vigorously.
A MANIA FOR
WHEELS.
Girl Who
Stole a Bicycle from Wells' Butter Store Again in Trouble.
The little 12-year-old girl, who on Oct. 1
took a bicycle from the butter store of H. Wells, owned by Miss Anna Sandwick,
an employee of the Gillette skirt company, seems to have a mania forgetting
bicycles not her own and then keeping them. On Tuesday afternoon a little girl,
10 years of age, called at the office of Kennedy Brothers on Railroad-st. and
wanted to rent a wheel for a half hour. She gave in advance payment a ten cent
piece, received in change two cents, and went away with the wheel. The wheel
did not return, and yesterday at 4 o'clock the matter was reported to Chief of
Police Linderman, who at 7 o'clock found the bicycle and returned it to its
owners.
The chief went first to see the little girl who
had called for the wheel, but learned that she did not get it for herself, but for
a companion, who subsequently proved to be the one who took Miss Sandwick's
wheel Oct. 1. This girl had coaxed her 10-year-old friend to do the errand for
her, and had given her the two cents of change for her trouble. The chief found
the wheel at the home of the 12-year-old girl last night, and summoned the girl
and her mother to appear in police court at 10 o'clock this morning.
At the appointed hour the mother and daughter
were in court, as were also the 10-year-old girl and her mother. Police Justice
Mellon gave the first mentioned mother and daughter a sound talking to, and
upon the promise of the mother that no similar complaints should be occasioned,
held the matter open with the distinct understanding that should there be a
repetition of the offence, the girl would surely be sent to the Western House
of Refuge at Albion, or some other institution. The mother claimed that she
sent the girl for the wheel herself, but with the understanding that it was to be
kept only long enough to ride to East Homer and return.
During the proceedings in court this
morning, it developed that on Sept. 22 the same 12-year-old girl procured a
wheel at Kennedy Brothers to be returned in two days and the wheel not being
returned in a week, one of the firm went after it and found it at her home.
Because of the youth of these two children we
withhold their names, though the 10-year-old child was of course entirely
innocent of all guilt in the procuring of the wheel. She got it in good faith
for her friend, and no blame whatever is attached to her.
Adjudged
Insane.
John S. Woods of Freetown, 37 years of age,
has been declared insane by a commission in lunacy, and upon an order of County
Judge J. E. Eggleston, will be committed to the Binghamton State hospital. He
was examined by Drs. H. T. Dana and F. W. Higgins. The attack was gradual,
beginning about July 1, and on one occasion he attempted suicide by hanging.
"The
Girl From Ireland."
One of America's most popular soubrettes, dainty
Katie Rooney, the "chip of the old block," and her talented
associates will present Domer & Campbell's production of the merry farce
comedy in three acts, "The Girl From Ireland" by Harry B. Marshall at
the Opera House next Monday night. The management feels that no words of
comment should be necessary. Miss Rooney has long been conceded by press and
public to be one of America's most clever soubrettes, possessing a charm and
magnetism of her own and becoming at once the pet of the audience. Women and
children rave over her, while her chic and abandon entrances all.
"The Girl From Ireland" is a
comedy, especially to give her ample scope to introduce her wonderful
versatility of impersonation. The comedy, unlike many so-called farce comedies,
has a clear story in which the audience becomes interested at once. The
supporting company is an exceptionally strong one, and the numerous specialties
and beautiful music especially written and arranged for this production
comprises a most enjoyable performance. Miss Rooney and company appear at the
Cortland Opera House on Monday, Nov. 1. Prices 25, 50 and 75 cents. Sale opens
at Rood's [Candy Shop] Friday at 2:30 P. M.
More Gas
at Rome, N. Y.
Another natural gas strike has this week been
made at Rome at a depth of
90 feet on
the residence premises of J. S. Haselton, manager of the Rome Brass and Copper
company, located about one mile north of the first two gas wells struck at that
place. This goes to verify the opinion of Prof. Orton of the United States
geological survey, that natural gas is likely to be found in any part of that
city. The gas from this latest well coming through a 2-inch opening, roars like
a steam blow off. The flow is estimated at 1,000,000 feet a day. Four other
wells are to be drilled soon.
BREVITIES.
—The net receipts from the bean supper
served by the Sons of Veterans last night amounted to over $8.
—The survey is being made for an electric
road between Ithaca and Odessa.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Glann
& Clark, shoes, page 5.
—Mother's meeting (east) will be held
Friday, Oct. 29, at 3 P. M. at the residence of Mrs. A. H. Mudge, 58 Hubbard-st.
—The Loyal circle o f King's Daughters will
meet with Mrs. A. M. Johnson, 38 Lincoln-ave., Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 P. M.
—Twenty-eight members of the local council
of the O. U. A. M. visited the Homer council last night when the second and
third degrees were conferred on one candidate.
—Mr. Louis D. Tyler of Cortland, who is
attending Cazenovia seminary, has been chosen editor-in-chief of The Cazenovian,
the paper published by the students in the school.
—The
first of the series of winter hops given by the St. Vitus dancing club will
occur to-morrow evening from 8 to 12 o'clock in C. A. A. hall, with music by McDermott's
orchestra.
—Miss Minnie Sharp of Galeton, Potter Co.,
Pa., who is visiting at the home of A. S. Miller in Cortland, will preach at
the M. E. church in Virgil Saturday evening, Oct. 30, at 7:30 o'clock.
—Jacob Smith, better known as "Jakey"
of the George Junior Republic at Freeville, is laid up with a broken leg. The
fracture was sustained while
"Jakey"
was playing football.—Ithaca Journal.
—The new time card of the E. & C. N. Y.
R. R. appears for the first time in our columns to-day. Regular trains will begin
running regularly between the Lehigh Valley station in Cortland and Solon on Saturday,
Oct. 30.
—Miss Martha Roe entertained a small company
of Cortland and Homer friends last night at her home, 77 Railroad-st., in honor
of her guest, Mrs. L. Eldredge of Philadelphia. Refreshments were served, and
the evening was a very pleasant one for all.
—Deputy County Clerk H. T. Bushnell is busy
arranging the official and sample election ballots, return sheets, ink pens, etc.,
for distribution to the town clerks of the county who are required by law to
call at the county clerk's office for them on Saturday.
—A Wagner combination palace car and sleeper
passed over the Lehigh Valley railroad this morning attached to the 8:48 train
enroute to Ithaca to convey the Cornell university football team to Cambridge,
Mass., for their game with Harvard on Saturday.
—Mr. N. G. Nelson, a representative of the
United States Tubular Bell Co., of Methuen, Mass., is to-day overhauling and
tuning Grace church chimes which have been silent for several weeks past. When
done it is hoped their sweet tones will be more agreeable and harmonious than
formerly.
—Mr.
B. N. Johnson of Homer has been engaged by Paul Drechaler as an assistant in
his barber shop in the Beaudry building. Mr. Johnson was for some time with
Thos. Knobel, the barber in Homer, and during the past summer had charge of the
barber shop in connection with the Edgewood hotel at the Thousand Islands.
