Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-27


About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon, a
sisar maker from Alex sndris, named VII
liam r. Waterholder, was run over by q To-
esmotive Of the Baltimore and Potomac rail-
road, while crossing 6th street, and had both
legs cot Off near the knees. Four wheels of the
dummy engine used in making up trains passed
over him. He was removed to the office of SUI
perintendent DuBarry, on Virginia avenue,
and physicians were called in, but too late to
rave his lite. The flow OF blood was stopped
and stimulants administered, but he soon sank
into an unconscious state, and died at O'Clock
morning held an inquest over the body, at the
LIST precinct station house, when the following
testimony was elected:
DR.. Alexander W, williams testified that he was
called TO see the deceased; attributed his death
20 the nervous shock. the result of his injuries.
From the odor of his breath, witness judged
that he had been drinking, bu he could not state
positively that deceased was intoxicated.
James IT, West, who resides at Cpl Virginia
avenue, testified that he saw the man about
twenty minutes before the accident on the cor
ner OF 18th street and Pennsylv ania avenue. He
looked like man getting off a drunk. Witness
d d not see the car when IL struck him.
Darid Eslier testified to being on the street,
and to seeing the man approach when the train
was passing; a's0 to hearing the brakeman call
70 him and warn him away. The man paid no
attention TO him. but kept on. Witness tboug ht
he was safe seross at that time, until he saw
him struck by the corner of the car and thrown
down. The brakeman signaled to the engineer
90 stop the cars, hut before that could be done
the hind wheels of the engine had passed over
nm. The cars were not going unusually fast.
Wa Wagner, the engineer, testified that the
brakeman gave the signal for stopping; at
once stopped the engine, and did not see the
man until after the cars stopped.
Nm. SsDESon, brakeman. testified that they
were engage in backing down some cars into
the yard, when he saw the man coming across
the track; hailed him when he was twenty rect
from the track; he did not heed witness, but
continued on. when witness put the brake on
and stopped the engine as soon as possible. The
sill struck him on the left side and he fell.
witness tried to catch hold of him, but failed
to reach him; witness grabbed him and jerksd
him on. after two wheels had passed over him.
The train had by this time stopped; witness got
two pocket handkerchiefs and tied them around
the mans legs and took him to Mr. Du Barry g
once and sent for a doctor. The fireman ran
for DR.. Riley, but he was not at home and az
forwards DR.. Hammett was found, who attend
I'd him.
Observation-Disclosures warned the man in
ample time for him to have got out of the way.
AFTER the signal was given the cars stopped in
going their length; did not know whether there
vas any fagman stationed at this point a
sw1tebmaB was stationed there to change the
switches, but never saw any hsgmau there.
The man staggered when he approached the
car.
Herlndn Fischer testified that he had examined
the body and identified il a. that OF Mr. William
Wa'erho der, cigar maker by trade, who had
been working at Mr.. Se'haussn's, on 18th street;
he had wife and six or seven children living
in Alexandria, Va; he was a pretty sharp
drnker.
FrsfcricE Pluqge testified to the same effect.
Mr.. II. l.. DUBIrTy, superintendent OF the
road, testified he hal refused the request of
many of the citizens TO stop ringing the bells,
and bad only stopped IL by orders; witness
thought the ringing Of bells their very best safe
guard, better than all the watchmen they could
employ, as the bells can be heard q long dis
lance; switchman was constantly employed
at the point where the accident Happened but
there n no tagman, the law reouiree n A aQm An
Al street Crossings, but this is not street cross
ing; the trains pass over the sidewalk in going
into the ward, however; he thought the life OF
this man might have been saved If bell ringing
was permitted.
At the conclusion the jury returned a verdict
IN accordance with the facts as elected in the
testimony, and added that the engineer and
brakeman did all in their power to prevent the
accident.
The body Of the deceased was then turned
over TO Mr.. Henry Lee, undertaken, who
will prepare IL for burial. Deceased did not
live with his family. but boarded at No. 16.4 9th
street northwest.