Inquest into the Death of George S. Barber

Continuation of the Inquest - Guelph Mercury October 24, 1879 Verdict: Accidental Death, and the Railway Employees Blameless. On Monday afternoon the inquest on the body of the late George S. Barber was resumed. James Mercer, sworn – On Friday evening myself and Wm. Daws were coming from my factory towards the Huskisson Street crossing; a train on the south track was out; at the same time there was a train going west, and we hurried up to get past before the train was coupled; we waited between the south and north tracks until the train going west was past; while the train was passing the coupling of the south train was made; the brakesman swung a lantern while we were standing between the two tracks, and the eastern bound train backed up; I heard nothing like a scream or a whistle; the coupling took place over the cattle guard. Mr. Dawes, foreman for Mr. Mercer, corroborated that gentleman’s statement. This concluded the evidence. Verdict “That George S Barber met his death on the 17th October, about 6:35 p.m., by a Grand Trunk train passing over him, while he was trying to cross underneath a car, and that the employees of the Company are exonerated from blame. “ It appears from the evidence that trains of the Grand Trunk Company frequently obstruct the highways of the city, causing citizens either to lose time or go around by other streets, tempting them to risk their lives by crossing under, or over, the couplings. We would recommend that the city authorities consult with the Railway Company to see if they could not cause their trains to wait at the freight station for other trains to pass; or that they compel the Company to desist from obstructing the highways by waiting trains, and be instructed to prosecute the railway employees in charge of trains that so obstruct the highways”