After
a three-and-ahalf-hour session, which began at 3 o'clock p.m. last
Friday, the jury empaneled [sic] to enquire into the death
of the last Ira O. A. Beemer, which occurred on Thursday, 24 Jul
1919 at the Metcalfe Street railway crossing, returned the
following verdict:
"That the said Ira O.
A. Beemer came to his death while attempting to uncouple cars
while the train was in motion,
and that the said Ira O. A. Beemer stepped in between the cars
while they were in motion, which is contrary to the rules of the
company.
That on this day the train crew was making the necessary switch or
shunt without any order from the conductor and with no one in
charge.
"We find that the
train crew does not understand rule 108, page 33, of the Railway
Rule Book;
That the said company is negligent in not having it employees
understand this rule, and enforce same.
"We strongly
recommend that all crews be provided with two first aid outfits,
one to be carried on the engine and one in the caboose."
It was brought out during
the examination that another brakeman gave the signal to the
engineer to stop as soon as he saw Beemer go in between the cars;
that Beemer had run about two car lengths before he tripped on the
crossing planking, and
that the train stopped before a second wheel passed over his
limbs.
The train was moving between four and five miles an hour at the
time.
T. R. Slaght, K.C.,
represented the crown, and the railway company had a legal
representative present. Liston Kirkwood, father-in-law of the
deceased was present, and Ald. H. R. Crabb was foreman of the
jury.
