Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1895 — The Fisher Inquest. [ARTICLE]

The Fisher Inquest.

Coroner Wright completed his hearing m the inquest over Benjamin Fisher, whose accidental death was detailed last week, last Wednesday afternoon, and handed in his verdict Saturday. —-About only points of evidence, of interest, and not reported last week, were given by S. A. Royster, the night operator. He talked with Engineer Taylor, on that gentleman’s first return trip, and the engineer told him that Fisher was “pretty well between the ties” and he did not see him until within a few feet. James Maloy, who was recalled, testified to hearing the engineer say this to the night operator.

T. J. McGowan, who examined the scene of the accident the same evening, confirmed the evidence of several others as to the indications that Fisher was busy working when struck, and was dragged about 35 yards. The following was the finding of Coroner Wright: State of Indiana, ) oc County of Jasper, j ’ I, the undersigned, Truitt P. Wright, Coroner in and for said County do publish the following as my verdict in the case of Benjamin F. Fisher. It iff my judgment that the said Benjamin F. Fisher came to his death on account of injuries received upon We track of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago R’y., on the 19th day of July, 1895, about the hour of .0:30 A. M., and at a place about one lalf mile south of the station of Surrey on said Railroad; that he was struck by an engine of said Railway Co., upon which engine Wm. F. Taylor was engineer. I further find that if said Fisher was engaged in his usual duties as section hand upon said railroad and that at the time he was struck by said engine was engaged in shoveling gravel and ballasting said track, that the said engineer and said Railway were free from fault. If on the other hand said Fisher was lying unconscious between the rails of said rack, that said engineer and said Railway Co, were guilty of negligence in not slacking up said engine and train so as to protect said object and said Fisher. Truitt P. Wright, Coroner Jasper County.