Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1934, November 22 - Crossing collision, St. Redempteur Street, Hull, CPR., M and O sub., one fatality

Ottawa Citizen 22 November 1934 Dairy Driver Killed at Hull Level Crossing Emile Cadieux Victim of Fifth Accident In Year At Danger Point Horse Also Killed And Wagon Demolished By Trans-Canada Train At Unprotected St. Redempteur Street Crossing of C.P.R. Outfit Carried 88 ft. Before Train Stopped No Signals, No Gates Nor Watchman at Fatal Spot. Victim's. Store Robbed Last Night. When his milk wagon was struck by the trans-Canada C.P.R. train at the St. Redempteur street level crossing in Hull at 6 o'clock this morning, Emile Cadieux, 23-year-old resident of Hull, was instantly killed. The wagon, horse and the driver were dragged for a distance of 88 feet after being struck. When the train was broueht to a stop, the unfortunate young man was found lying on the side of the track with his feet tangled in the pilot of the engine. So badly injured was the horse that it died a short time after the accident. The wagon and contents were completely demolished. Fifth Accident in Year. There are no signals, no gates, nor watchman at this crossing and during the past year five accidents have occurred there, today's being the first fatal one. An inquest was opened at Beauchamp's undertaking parlors by Dr. Joseph Isabelle, coroner for Hull district, and following the usual formalities was adjourned until next Wednesday in order to permit the police to make an investigation into the accident. Almost Over Crossing. According to Constables Ernest Lavergne and Oscar Gignac, who investigated the fatality, the man was proceeding south on St. Redempteur street and had almost completely passed the crossing when the engine struck the side of the wagon and dragged it for some distance. The train, according to railwav officials, does not stop at the Beemcr Station in Hull and was proceeding to Union Station, Ottawa. The train was in charge of George Smythe. 1039 Gladstone avenue, Ottawa, engineer, and J. M. Stanley, 174 Primrose avenue, Ottawa, was the conductor. The engineer told the police that he did not see the wagon until the train had reached the crossing. He applied the brakes and was able to stop the train in 88 feet. Store Also Robbed. It is believed that the young man failed to notice the train approaching as he was probably tired, having spent part of the night at a wedding party near his home. Mr. Cadieux, when returning to his home about three o'clock this morning with his wife, discovered that his store at 234 St. Joseph boulevard had been entered and he notified the police. Constable Gignac was sent to investigate and it was found that goods to the value of $5 had been stolen. - - - Although there are no eye-witnesses besides the train rrew, Arthur Paquette, 118 Laval street, Hull watchman for the Hull Electric Company at the St. Hyacinthe crossing, and George Belisle, 54 Breboeuf street,  Hull, were first on the scene and notified the police The remains were taken to Beauchamp's undertaking parlors. Funeral arrangements are not yet completed. PROMPT INQUIRY Prompt action in investigating the five accidents this year at St. Redempteur street crossing, Hull,was promised by tge Board of Railway Commissioners. "I will have the whole matter looked into at once," stated Dr. S.J. McLean, assistant chief commissioner and acting chief commissioner. The C.P.R. is also making an investigation. Ottawa Journal 24 Movember 1934 Believe Cadieux Hold-up Victim No Money Found in Clothes of Man Killed on Hull Crossing. The absence of $15 from his clothes have led police to investigate the theory that Emile Cadieux. 23-year-old Hull milk driver, killed by a train in Hull on Thursday morning, was the victim of holdup men. Hull police revealed this morning that there was a possibility that Cadieux had been "slugged" by robbers and his horse and wagon then drawn across the St. Redempteur street level crossing. Cadieux's practise was to carry at least $15 in his possession, but after a search was made following the accident no trace of any money could be found. In support of the theory it was also pointed out by police that the milk driver should have been familiar with the train times, as he travelled the same route every morning about the same hour. Police stated today that relatives of the deceased may ask an autopsy to reveal if the victim suffered any significant injuries to the head. Ottawa Journal 27 November 1934 Autopsy Is Performed On Bodv of E. Cadieux. To  determine precisely how Emile Cadieux. Hull milk-driver who was killed Thursday morning when his wagon was struck by a train at St. Redempteur level crossing, met his death, an autopsy was performed on the body last evening by Dr. Rosario Fontaine, chief medico-legal expert of the Quebec Attorney-General's Department. At the close of the post-mortem held at Gauthier's morgue. Dr. Fontaine declined to discuss his findings, but intimated he would present a full report at the inquest which Is scheduled for Wednesday evening. Ottawa Citizen 29 Nvember 1934 Urges Gates Or Signals At All Hull Crossings Jury Recommends Protection Where Streets Cross Railway. E. Cadieux'g Injuries Caused in Accident A recommendation to the C.P.R., to place gates or signals at the various level crossings in the city of Hull was made last evening by a coroner's jury at the inquest in the death of Emile Cadieux. the 23-year-old driver who was killed last Thursday morning when his milk wagon was struck by the Trans-Canada train at the St. Redempteur street crossing. The jury rendered a verdict of accidental death. The inquest was presided over by Dr. Josephat Isabelle and according to the report of the autopsy performed by Dr. Rosario Fontaine, all wounds found on the unfortunate young man were caused by the railway accident. Gave Usual Signals. Evidence heard, showed the train crew had given the usual signals before approaching the crossing and that the train was proceeding at a speed of about 10 miles an hour. No witness heard last evening could say if the unfortunate young man had money on htm on the morning of the fatal accident and the rumors that he might have been "slugged'' or knocked unconscious previous to the accident were denied. George Smythe, 1039 Gladstone avenue, Ottawa, locomotive engineer, stated that the train left Ottawa West and was proceeding to the Union Station at the moment of the accident. The train consisted of seven coaches and did not stop at the Beemer station of Hull but was proceeding at a speed of about ten miles an hour. He said that he gave the usual signals and warning before approaching the crossing and it was the fireman who had shouted to him. "Whoa, there is something in front of the train." He said he applied the emergency brakes and the train stopped within 100 feet. John Finn, locomotive fireman, 41 Spadina, corroborated the previous witness and stated the headlight of the train was on at the moment of the accident. He added that the body of the young man was found under the tender. Stopped in 88 Feet. Constable Ernest Lavergne, of the Hull police, who investigated the accident said he was on Bridge street, about one mile from the scene of the accident when the fatality occurred. He stated he had heard the engine's whistle and added the train had stopped 88 feet from the crossing. Other witnesses heard were: Joseph Belisle, station foreman, who also heard the engine's whistle, Frederic Carriere, agent at Beemer station, who said the usual speed of that train was ten miles an hour at the crossing, and J.M. Stanley, conductor of the train, who stated the train was proceeding at the usual speed at the moment of the fatality. Following evidence given by these witnesses, A. Learoyd, of the Central Dairies. Ottawa, by which company the unfortunate young man was employed, said the young man should have carried on him about $15 in cash. In reviewing the case for the jury, Coroner Isabelle said there was no evidence of criminal negligence but he asked the jury to recommend to the railway company the placing of gates or signals at the various level crossings of the city of Hull. Note. Board of Railway Commissioners Order 51456 of  25 October 1934 Declares the CPR crossing of St. Redempteur street Hull protected to the Board's satisfaction so long as the speed limitation of 10 miles an hour is in effect. Ottawa Citizen 12 December 1934 Consider Protection Dangerous Crossing Railway Board Acts In Hull Fatality. The Board of Railway Commissioners for Canada will meet on January 8 to consider the question of adequate protection for the C.P. Rly. crossing at St. Redempteur street, Hull, scene of five [sic] fatal crossing accidents, the last on November 22. The question of providing protection for the crossing arose when Emile Cadieux, 23, of 234 St. Joseph Blvd., Hull, was struck and killed by a trans-Canada train as he was driving his milk wagon over the crossing at six o'clock on the morning of the 22nd. There are crossing gates and watchmen on constant duty at St. Hyacinthe street, the next street to St. Redempteur. The board, therefore, may decide that gates be provided at the latter street and the one watchman may take care of both crossings. The coroners jury at the Cadieux inquest favored more adequate protection for the crossing.

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Updated 26 March 2021