Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-02
HICKMAN's DEATH ACCIDsNrAL.


coroner Patterson, with a Jury composed Of Levi
Baker. John Weeden, W. N. Uhler Francis Nay
lor, Joseph Hill and Thomas Brirhtwell. went 10
burrville yesterday afternoon to hold An inquest
over the remains OF William Hickman The old col
ored man VINO was struck and killed by train on
tne Alexandria Branch Of the Baltimore and Ohio
hahroao Tuesday evening, as published in We'd
nesdays STAR. The roads were very rouzh and
muddy, and some trouble was experienced In
reaching the village which Is a small settlement
nearly Two miles from Bennings station, on the
shefin road Arriving az the Hickman residence,
the body was found laid out on two rough boards
Ia room about by 10 feet. In the room the jury
and several others gathered about the corpse. Six
persons had been summoned as witnesses, but only
snree OF them appeared One OF them, the conduc-
oor on the train had been excused by the coroner,
ana ~ was supposed that the other witnesses were
waning 10 De driven to the house.
Inc klulng OF Hickman caused considerable in
ulsnation In the community where he lived, be-
cause, as II Was claimed, the railroad employees,
after the accident, abandoned the man TO die on
some boards in a field without shelter. He was
found in that condition some time after the acci-
dent and cared for.
THE TESTIMONY.
The flrst witness called was a colored boy about
! nfteen years old, who said that his name was
Charlie Clark. As the coroner swore him to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, Charlie kept one eye on the corpse, as
though he believed IN ghosts.
TEL what you know about the accident, said
the coroner, addressing the witness The witness
stood silent for a few minutes and gazed at the
corpse. When he had satisfied himself that II was
harmless or that there were enough persons pres
ent 10 protect him, Charlie began: 81 don't know
much about IT anyhow. Me and Gasaway Myers
| men with lights. but they didn't speak to US, and
we passed on. Then they called US and asked US
II we knew a man who was all cut up, and told
him that it was Billy Hickman
"lou mean William Hickman" said the coroner.
NO SIR answered witness, Il mean Billy HEX
tharo fpot mn In, ha doc so<lA
One OF the men asked Us II we knew where he
lived, and we went and told his wife. Then ="
coroner II don't suppose that the Jury cares to 20
into what happened after the man was struck -
THE ENGINEERS STATEMENT.
II. j. Smith, the engineer, testified that he saw
the deceased walking beside the track some ten or
fifteen feet from the crossing. When the train
got near him he stepped on the track as though o
wanted TO cross IL. Wi ness blew the distress
whistle and reversed his engine. but it was too
ahead OF the train. He had a bag or some bundle.
witness thought, on his head. Witness had Just
LETT the stock-yard with the engine and one car,
and was going at the rate OF about 12 miles an
thirty yards.
THE FIREMAN.
2. X. BiggS fireman ON the engine testified that
he was on the left side OF the engine. He heard
the whistle blow for something on the track, but
did not see the man The train was stopped and
they found the injured man lying beside the
him about p minutes.
AS the absent witnesses, 1t was said, di not see
the accident the room was cleared. and In a few
minutes the jury returned verdict OF accidental
death.
Hickman was about 60 years Did, is from Prince
Georges County, Md. He moved TO Burrviie about
three months ago. He had saved some money and
mad purchased building lot In Burryie, on which
house Is In course OF erection. He was buried
this afternoon In Mt. Olivet cemetery.
WHAT RAILROAD OFFICIAL SAYS
General Agent Alvey, Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad In this city, said to a STAR reporter this
morning that Hickman was left in the care of one
OF the railroad employees when the train moved
on Tuesday night, and q physician was sent for
by one OF the men. The men, he said, could not
get permission from the B. and p. Railroad en-
ployes TO remove the old man to their tool
house, or Matchbox, and the sufferer was made
as comfortable as possible under the circum-
stances by taking him on the grou, and placing
him upon some boards.