The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-07-16
THE RAILROAD NOT TO BLAME

For the Death of Lomax, the COlOred
Man, Who was Crushed Under u
Coal Car.
There was one more added last night to
the long list of persons killed by tho steam
railroads In the city limits. A train Of coal
cars on tho Baltimore g. Potomac Railroad,
drawn by engine No. 10, George Frier en-
gineer, and Ed Phillips conductor, ran ovor
and killed colored man in Johnsons coal
yard, between Twelfth and Thirteenth
streets and Maryland avenue and Water
street.
He was heard to cry out when the engine
struck him, but 1t was too late then TO save
him. The train passed over his body and
instantly killed him. The remains were
taken to the South Washington station
house, and 1t was learned that he had on q
loose shirt, in which he carried small dog
which was also crushed to death. There
was also bottle found on him.
The Coroner's Inquest.
Coroner Patterson held an inquest this
morning over the body of David Lomax
the man killed by tho Baltimore & Poto-
mac cars last night, at tho First Precinct
Station. Tho jury was composed of the
following gentlemen: J. l.. Cox, r. A.
Balon, w. +. Wall, G.. w. Smithson, J. q.
Allen and j. b. Prout.
Dennis Shelton, colored, was tho first
witness, and testified that he had known
the deceased for long time. He was q
hard drinking man. The homo of the de-
ceased was originally Alexandria, but late
years he had been leading sort of bohe-
milan life-living hero and there and every
where. Witness identified the body as that
of Lomax.
Theodore Lancaster, colored, also identi-
fed the body. Witness regarded tho do
ceased rs adrinking man, but mover knew
him to be so much under the influence Of
liquor as to lie out ofdoors.
Edgar Phillips, the yard conductor of the
B. & p. Road, testified that he and other
employees were engaged in coupling cars
last night in Johnsons coalyards. There
were two cars to DO hitched to his engine.
These were in the yard. When the coup
ling had been done and tho three cars
hitched on, he heard cries Of man, and at
once the engine was stopped. Going back
he discovered the body Of Lomax lying un.
der the rear truck Of tho first car.
The Body Was Hooked Into the Rig.
ging of the Car
and must have been dragged distance OF
six feet. Witness supposed that Lomax
had been lying under the cars asleep. He
could not have been passing between the
| cars. Witness opinion was that Lomax
| got under the cars to keep out Of the rain
| Witness found broken whisky bottle ly-
ing by the side of the deceased.
| Frank Stewart, the brakeman, testified
that as soon as tho cars were coupled and
the engine started he heard Lomax cry ou
three times. The engine was at once
stopped. When the deceased's clothes wer,
taken Off small black dog, crushed Il
death, was found lying between his owe
| and undershirt,
Sergeant Smith testified to finding
whisky bottle in the pocket of the deceased
The verdict of the Jury.
The jury took the case and brought in
verdict that deceased came to his death b,
being crushed under n coal-car which wa
being coupled to freight train, and from
the evidence the jury believe that the maj
was, at the time Of the accident, unde
the influence of liquor.
| No blame whatever can be attached +
either the railroad company or any 0
the train hands.
The Body, the Dog and the whisky
Although the testimony at tho Coroner
inquest over the body of Daniel Iona:
showed very conclusively that the decease,
was sort of shiftless fellow, with no hom
and but few friends, yet Mt least 500
colored men, women and children called a
| the First Precinct Station this morning +
view the body. Nearly every one said tina
he or she was either u relative or friend Q
the deceased.
Lomax's body lay in little court in til
station. His neck was broken and his hea
was o mass of cuts. A pool ofclotted bloc
two inches deep-anything but an invitin
sight-surrounded his head and body.
the face of all this sickening sight, th
curious colored folks fingered around th
body and were 10th to leave it. Indeed
the officers would have to drive them on
On the right side of Lomax's breast la
his best friend-a little black dog, whic
got crushed with him. Though this littl
animal had been the constant companion {
the deceased for many months, sleeping au
eating with him at all times, yet it is salt
that he offered to sell him yesterday for
drink of whisky so great was his appeti
for that which steals away the BRAIN et'
On Lomax's left breast were fragments
broken whisky bottle-plain evidence
that the contents of the bottle caused hi
! death.