Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-30
THE CoRoNER,s INQUEST.
Testimony Given - to the Horrible Grade
Crossing Accident.

Crossing Accident.
WITNESSES TELL WHAT THEY KNOW IN pHoAlr
TO HOW Mr.. BRAHLER LOST HIS LIFE-wHA1
THE GArEMAN AND ENGINEER HAVE TO SAY
Stories Of the horrible Embarrassing acct.
dent on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, at the
intersection Of H street and Delaware avenue
Thursday morning were told to the coroner'i
jury at the inquest held over the remains of the
deceased, William n. Brahler, the victim of the
sad accident. The jury was composed Of John
Middleton, William Norbeck, John Bird, James
Holmes, Peyton Vinson and John NJ Elliott
After viewing the body at the house of the de-
ceased, corner Of H and 4th streets northeast
the jury repaired to the sixth precinct station
and heard the testimony.
Assistant District ATTORNEY Howard Claqett
was present to look after the case for his office
and Mr.. Frech, citizen Of Northeast Washing
ton, was present in behalf Of the citizens who
are opposed to the continuance Of grade cross
ings.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
The first witness examined was Michl o. Brien,
the proprietor Of the saloon at the corner
where the accident happened. He testified that
he saw the accident. He was Just getting
ready to go to the barber shop, and was standing
talking to some friends An outgoing train
came along, and the gateman lowered the gate.
When the train had crossed he hoisted the
gates. There were several teams on either side
OF the track and all the teams headed east got
over all right. The gates had not been
holsted more than o minute when he saw the
Baltimore train coming. He thought that if
the regular speed was being made by the in
coming train the parties would have time to
cross. Mr.. Schaeffer, who was just ahead Of
MIR. Brahler, got over with but few inches to
spare and Mr.. Brahler was close behind him.
When the gateman saw the train coming he
lowered the gate and Mr.. Brahlers wagon was
caught on the track. The train struck him and
he was dragged about sixty feet
THINKS THE ENGINEER RESPONSIBLE.
1.-THE engineer, think, is responsible for the
accident said witness because his train was
going at the rate Of about twenty miles an hour
When 1 saw the train rounding the curve said,
My God. somebody will get struck"
Witness said that most of the trains passed
there at the rate Of about ten or twelve miles
an hour. He did not know what the law allowed
them. After striking Mr.. Brahler, he said the
train ran nearly to G street before it stopped.
Mr.. Charles E. Myers, wood and coal dealer.
testified that he saw Mr.. Brahler after the acci-
dent. He saw the rear of the train as it crossed
the H street crossing.
THE aArEMAN's EVIDENCE.
time of the accident, testified that he was
attending the gate. An arm of one Of the west
gates was broken by the storm the night before
When the outgoing train had passed he put up
the gates. lie knew that the incoming train
was about due, but the bell was not ringing
When the bell commenced ringing he lowered
the gates. He saw u horse and wagon coming
down II street going west. The west side gate
was not working. When the gate was down the
thaI I'd h~<l
gate The horse was being driven very fast and
the train was also going at rapid speed.
WAS that train running any faster than the
trains usually run?' asked juror.
1T was" answered witness.
When further questioned by Juror witness
and it was in time for the deceased to have
stopped his wagon. but he broke through.
Witness produced piece of the gate. which
he said was broken off by the deceaseds wagon
When questioned by Mr.. Clagett witness faid
there was piece off the gate that morning. but
not enough to make an opening wide enough
for a wagon to pass through.
SAYS BRAHLER BROKE THROUGH.
He had raised the gates after the outgoing
train passed and when the bell again COM
menced ringing he lowered them. The bells
commenced ringing when the train was at 4th
street. He first the wagon when it was
Haven't you two gongs there?"
"Yes, sir"
"One for each track?"
"Yes. SIR"
(which one rang that morning2''
"The incoming one"
He was positive about the gates being down
and the wagon breaking through.
''How fast was the train going2''
Every fast"
Twenty miles an hour?''
81 think 1t was
sIGNALEB BAXTER.
j. W. Baxter, who gives train signals from
the ''Y' testified that the bell was in order and
gave the signal, as usual.
''How long was the bell ringing?'
81 can't tell how many minutes. The bell
commenced ringing when the train reached
point between 4th and 5th streets and rang
until the train crossed"
Witness told Of the location Of the trains on
the track. He did not see the accident.
JAS. MYERS EVIDENCE.
jas. Myers, wood and coal dealer. testified
that there was freight engine on the track
near the crossing which frightened Mr. Brahler's
horse. The horse had cleared the track and
the tain struck the wagon. The gates were
being lowered IA Mr.. Brahler's wagon went on
the track. He thought that the horse was UNI
manageable.
Had the gates been lowered before Mr..
Brahler reached the track?" asked juror.
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