Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-12-15
Fatal Railroad A ccident,-Tbe usual


Fatal Railroad Accident. The usua
quiet of our town was disturbed ON Sunday
evening last by the report that an acciden,
had occurred on the railroad at the crossing
of the city road, and sooncrowds were seen
hurrying in that direction. Upon arriving
at the scene of the accident the following
particulars were ascertained:
Between 2 and o'clock on that evening
Mr.. Magruder Ricketts, and wife were riding
along the city road In covered vehicle, and
when they reached the railroad crossing,
not having heard the whistle of the ap-
preaching train and being unable to see the
same on account of the deep cut at that
point, attempted to cross the track when the
horse was struck by the engine and killed,
the carriage broken up, Mrs. Ricketts, skull
crushed in, and and Mr.. Ricketts, thrown
some distance against bank of earth, but not
seriously injured. After the accident the
train did not stop, but continued on TO Wash
ington.
As soon as Mr.. Ricketts, recovered from
the shock of his fall he went to the assist
ance Of his wife, whom he found lying by
the side of the rail with her skull crushed
and already dead, and was holding her In
his arms when the first persons attracted by
the accident arrived on the spot.
When the accident occurred Mr.. and Mrs.
Ricketts, were on their way to visit the home
of her father, Mr.. w. NJ Davis, who resides
in full view of the scene of the tragedy, and
as soon as 1t was known the family, accom-
panied by neighbors and friends, came rush
ing to the spot and were overwhelmed with
grief at the horrible sight which met their
gaze.
Dr. E. E. Stonestreet was Immediately
summoned to render medical aid, but find
ing life extinct the body of the unfortunate
lady was removed to her fathers house, fol-
lowed by large number of sympathizing
friends. ga CIV
After obtaining the advice of States At.
torney, James b. Henderson, Esq, Justice
Morgan had jury of inquest summoned,
who repaired to the house of Mr. Davis and
viewed the body. Dr. A. H. Sommers, ply
stefan to the jury, examined her head and
finding the skull broken in such manner as
to produce death, no further examination
was made and the meeting Of the jury was
adjourned to Wednesday at 1890 o'clock.
The jury reassembled at the Court House
on Wednesday for the examination Of wit
nesses and quite large crowd of specta-
tors was present, among them several officials
Of the railroad company.
The first witness examined was Mr.. Ma
gruder Ricketts,, who said that the accident
occurred at the junction OF the city road and
railroad while driving with his wife; he
heard no whistle before reaching the track,
and had no sight of the train until that time
on account of the deep cut; he was not pos
tive how the horse and wagon were struck !;
was driving slowly when approaching the
railroad. W. I..
Edw. Davis, a brother OF the deceased, said
he was standing at the depot when the train
passed, and heard no whistle until just be-
fore the wagon was struck.
DR.. Stonestreet testified that he found the
body Of deceased between the tracks on the
right of the crossing her skull was crushed,
right arm mashed, and left foot cut off; no
gates at this crossing and considers the cross
ing very dangerous, and much more so than
at the Baltimore road; heard the whistle
for Rockville that evening.
J. ]. Cooper, agent at depot, said he heard
the whistle above Rockville and also in the
cut below; as the train passed he saw the
horse at the city road crossing; he did not
remember whether attention was ever called
to this crossing; was Of opinion that the
whistle above Rockville was sufficient to
protect both roads. ...e,.K.M
DR.. Sommers testified as TO the cause Of
death and also to the great danger at this
crossing. SIS abAfs sfft
Amos Reed, engineer, said he had given
usual signals before reaching Rockville, and
then increased speed saw the horse on tho
track when he passed Baltimore road, and
saw the driver look ont; Immediately gave
the alarm, shut off steam and put on the
air brakes; the steps Of the engine struck
the horse and the wagon was struck by the
baggage car. In the woodwork OF the ten
der piece OF bone was found imbedded
two inches In the solid oak timber
Several other witnesses, including the con-
ductor, fireman and brakeman on the train,
gave evidence corroborating the above.
At the conclusion Of the testimony, the
States Attorney stated to the jury THAT the
law in the case required them to ascertain
not only the circumstances which caused
the death of the victim, but also whether
the charge of criminal negligence did not
attach to the officers of the company having
In charge the arrangements for protecting
public crossings on the road.
Mr.. Thos. Anderson, counsel for the com
| pany, took the ground that verdict simply
stating the cause of death was sufficient.
The jury after short consultation, re-
turned the following verdict
We find that Mrs. Mary 4. Ricketts, came
to her death on Sunday, the 10th day OF
December, 1882, between the hours Of Q and
8 o'clock, p NJ, by being struck by train
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at the
time aforesaid, at the railroad crossing on
the "city road, leading from Rockville,
Md. We further find that the officials in
charge OF the department 10 provide for the
proper precaution for the safety Of the trav-
cling public at this crossing are guilty of
criminal negligence in not providing flag
man or other means Of informing the public
that a train is due
Amusements.-On next Tuesday even
ing the Oriental Minstrels, OF Washington,
ID. g., will favor our citizens with per.
Torrance at the Town Hall, which promises