Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-08

TBK RUNNING OF CARS BY STKAN.-This AZ
ternoon, the trial of the case OF the parties
charged with running OF cars through the
streets by steam, and endangering the lives of
the citizens, commenced on Tuesday afternoon
was resumed before Justice Walter; Joseph IL
Bradley, Jr., appearing for the prosecution,
and Messrs. Riddle, Wells, and Webb for the
defense.
The defense called Il. Il. French, (Commis-
sioner of Public BuildIngs,) who testified that
lately whenever he noticed the cars running
round the curve they were run slowly, and the
bell was runC, and he nearly ALWAYS heard the
whistle. Witness did not recollect, even when
the road was in the hands of the Government,
that the trains ran fast round the curve. The
trains We're run faster while the government
mad possession OF the road than since. Wit
ness never saw tho trains run at such speed
but that. any person with proper care could
nave got out of the way.
Nr. W. Y. Montgomery testified that he had
charge of the railroad bridge across the river.
and noticed that going up he grade, which is
heayy. the trains have to go mp fast far as
10th 18th street, but the baIance of the way to
the Baltimore depot they run at about three or
four miles per hour. A man is stationed at 18th
street, since the Orange and Alexandra Com
pany have used the road, with n lantern at
night and flag at day, who walks in front of
The ualn. Witness never saw the flag used be-
fore the accident on the 10th of November, but
has noticed il continually since. In going down
the grade the trains are very slow.
Or. James T.. Hcrqcn, for the prosecution, tes-
titled hat he resided at the corner of Maryland
tober trains have not been run so frequent as
before. As for speed the company had man
aged II as well as any, but W hat was objected
10 was The running by steam, causing horses
TO run away. He considered that the rum ming
through the city was prejudcial to the lives
and health of citizens. 1t was the use of steam
which was generally complained OF. and it was
now public inconvenience and injury.
BY the Defense:-The street cars ara nuis.
ance TO some extent. The use of steam In any
city he thought a nuisance. This company il
seemed, had used the road iudciously as
any company would. While the Government
had the road, some of the engineers used TO blow
their whistles. seemingly TO frighte horses, but
a complaint was made and il was stoppad For
two years past the rate Of speed was probably
less than six miles per hour, and the trans
now ran slower than that rate.
Capt. james L. Mcguire, for the defense. tasti-
fled that 1T this time the trains run very slow,
and he reCollpcts on the morning OF the accident
having heard the whistle. Witness thinks
man with ordinary care can avoid accident
Witness during last summer saw the trains
run through Rochester At much faster rate
than the trains do around thu avenue
Colonel Wells remarked that at least forty
trains per day run through the heart of Ro-
chester, and sixty five through Newark
MIR. Bradley said IL a hundred ran through
such cities, IL had nothing to do with this case,
and perhaps those companies had legislative
sanction for thus running, which this road
had not.
Mr.. Mormon Hdrleston testified that the morn
ing and night trains run slowly, and recently
he soticed a man with flag or lantern, who
walked before the train.