General Manager George E. Maltby, of the Chautauqua Traction Company has completed his investigations of the causes that led to the wreck on the traction live near Westfield last week and he authorizes the statement that the accident was not the fault of the street railway employes.
“There were 40 spots on the surface of the car wheels where the motorman had put on the reverse gear,” said Mr. Maltby.
The rails were so icy that the car could not be slowed down and on it raced down the steep grade gathering speed with every turn of the wheels. It is estimated the car was running 76 miles per hour when it collided with the Westfield car.
Motorman Benjamin Goodwin stuck manfully to his lever. As the swaying car plunged down the hill he kept the whistle screeching, hoping the Westfield car would be backed out of the way. It is stated the motorman did attempt to back up but wasn’t quick enough.
The passengers of the car huddled in the rear and waited for the crash which soon came. That no one was killed is almost a miracle.
Railroad men who operate on the hille say that there is a special brand of sleet for this region which no amount of sand can overcome. On numerous occasions trains have got away and raced at frightful speed down the hillsides. The railroads, however, have an easier grade than the traction line.
Source: Westfield [NY] Republican, 18 March 1908, p. 2, NYS Historic Newspapers.