Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-19
THE BENNINGS DISASTER.
Trial of Gateman John a. Richardson
in the Criminal Court.

This morning in the Criminal Court Chief
son, the railroad gateman, on the charge of
manslaughter i'll causing the death OF Francis
A. Godfrey December Il last, when four per-
sons were killed by an express train running
into wagon at BennIngs road crossing OF the
Baltimore and Potomac railroad was resumed.
The testimony for the government was con-
Guided Friday, and the defendant continued
his testimony today by calling Lewis johnson,
cOlored He testified that he rode in the
wagon from 10th street to the restaurant at the
bridge.
The government objected to witness testify
ing to the condition of those in the wagon, but
would not object to testimony as to Godfrey's
condition.
The court ruled that for the purpose OF
throwing light upon the conduct OF the men
the question could be asked.
Witness testified that the party in the wagon
were singing but he did not see any whisky.
On cross-examInation witness said that he
left the wagon half mile from the crossing
and the party were singing till he left the
wagon. He did not know any of the party.
Levi Baker testified that he lived near Ben
nings; knew Richard II. Pratt, and he would
not like to believe him on oath.
John +. Weeden gave similar testimony
Alexander Bryant, cOlored testified that he
was hunting on December IA: was approaching
the railroad; heard some one call, stop stop"
and another voice said: On it, we can make
III; saw man with a lantern. and when witness
crossed the Baltimore and Ohio track he saw IA
horse. A train was coming toward the city
when he heard the call.
Isaac b. West colored testified that he was with
the last witness December Ii. and corroborated
him, stating that he heard train approaching
them; some one shouted stop" and another
said. Go on, d-n il, we can make it, did not
hear the crash; saw white horse in the road
and the gates were down low enough to prevent
a team passing but not to prevent a man cross
ing.
TESTIMONY OF THE GATEMAN.
The defendant testified that he had been
Waterman eight years and half; that the gates
had been there about three years and up to
this time he had had no complaints made
against him. When he first heard the train
there was a great deal of hallowing. The train
was approaching. He had come out of the box to
get coal and told Godfrey, who was in front
TO stop. Godfrey started to check up the horse
but some one said: ''Oh, HI. let him go. we
can make 1t, and struck the horse. Witness then
undertook to lower the gates. but was not
quick enough and the gate bars struck the top
Of the wagon. The train then struck the
wagon and witness got his lantern from the
box and went to who was hurt. He denied
that any one wrapped him up or that
ne saw Pratt or Brent. The first person
he saw was Officer WheelOck and then Mr.
Graves. He denied that he had been drinking
that day.
On crosse Examination he said he did
not know how many trains passed
daily or what time they were due
He did not know the congressional
express. He only knew of the passing trains
by seeing them approaching.
George b. Sheriff testified that he heard the
defendant about $50 that night call to some
one. but aid not hear the train. Witness lived
nearly 600 yards off, but did not hear OF the ac-
cident till next afternoon.
This closed the testimony and the law Of the
case was discussed. after which the counsel pro-
ceeded with the arguments