Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1919 — RAILROAD CASE STILL IN COURT [ARTICLE]

RAILROAD CASE STILL IN COURT

PLAINTIFFS GIVE EVIDENCE SHOWING PUBLIC CROSSING WAS IMPASSABLE. The case of Joseph D. Law, administrator of the estate of Ameddie St. Pierre vs. the New York Central railroad company, an action for SIO,OOO damages on account of the death of Mr. St. Pierre, caused by an accident north of Morocco at the railroad’s crossing, is still occupying the attention -of the court. Hon. Henry Vinton ,of Lafayette, is presiding as special judge. The plaintiff rested his case about noon Monday, having in-, troduced a large number of witnesses who testified that the particular crossing where the accident occurred was almost impassable and that the company’s engineer failed to sound the whistle when approaching the crossing. The contention of the plaintiff seems to be that the automobile in which the parties who lost their lives were riding became stalled on the cressing on account of a deep depression being left between, the boards on the inside of the rails and the crossing generally being left in a rough and impassable condition. Today the railroad’s company’s witnesses, consisting mostly of employes of the railroad, are testifying to the accident as it appeared to them. The railroad company’s witnesses who were in charge of the train contend that the signals were given and that they were without fault and that the crossing was in good condition. The introduction of evidence will probably consume the balance of the day and the argument of counsel will not be made until tomorrow. The case is attracting considerable attention and quite a large number of people are attending the hearing.