Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-11


said Juror would Miss Curtis have at
tempted to cross the track?'
Really. I don't KNOW" answered wit
ness.
That's question Of opinion" remarked
the coroner, ''and is not for the witness to
state"
What was Miss Curtis position?'
She had one foot on the track when I
last saw her."
Sidewalks Unprotected.
Samuel Mountjoy, the gateman at the
crossing, testified that Saturday evening
otter he let his gates down he crossed over
the track In obedience to orders. As the
train QocaD approached he saw Miss Cur
tbs coming from the direction of the post
office. At that time he had not seen the
express. nor did he see it until he heard it
blow. He was standing half way down tn.
platform when he heard the express whis-
tie, and he called down the platform TO
Charles Dudley to look out for a lazy
whom he thought was going to cross.
I'VE ran down the track and waved our
hands at her." said witness, but she paid
no attention to us. She walked right in
front of the train"
Witness heard some one scream, but he
| could not say that it was Miss Curtis.
DO the gates extend across the side
walk?" asked the coroner
mo, SIR" replied the witness '"They ex-
tend only 60 the sidewalk. The sidewalk
was only lately put there"
DO these two trains usually meet at the
station?'
Not usually, but it sometimes happens
So"
WAS this a regular train?"
mo, sir: 1t was the second section of
number eight"
"And does it usually pass about that
timer"
mo, sir; it only happened on that day"
How long have you been in charge Of the
crossing?'
"Since March,"
as this the first fatal accident that has
happened there?"
Yes, sir"
Witness was questioned as to the whis-
| Ting of the express train, and he said he
heard one long and two short blasts.
Witness said that in addition to lowering
the gates 1t is his duty to assist in handling
mail and freight. When an express train
is coming he always stands at the gate and
watches for pedestrians Witness said he
had saved several persons from getting in
jured or killed.
Engineers Testimony.
Mr.. Marks. the engineer on the express
train. testified that the train was late when
he reached Takoma. and he did not stop
blowing his whistle until he reached the
mail catcher at the station.
when I saw the lady on the track" he
blow and apply the air before the engine
struck her."
"At what speed were you running at the
time of the accident"
Il think about fifty miles an hour" re-
piled witness
did you know your engine had struck
her?'
Yes, SIR"
Witness was asked concerning his orders
about blowing the whistle. and he said he
operated the whistle under the general or
ders of the company.
Witness said he did not blow the crossing
whistle, two long and two short blasts but
he blew the regular station signal, one long
blast.
Witness said he had been on the road
eight years. and this was his second acct
dent.
Where did your train stop?" asked a
juror.
Near Lamonds" replied witness
Gould you not have stopped without run
ming SO far"
Il applied all the air 1 had" answered
witness
James w. Wilson. town bailifr of the
Maryland part Of Takoma, testified that he
was seated in the station at the time of
the accident When the train came down
he saw the body of Miss Curtis in the driv-
Witness went out and assisted Mr. Drum
In gathering up the fragments of Miss Cur
It's body.
Coroner Woodward said there were other
witnesses, but the members of the jury
were satisfied that all the facts had been
presented and so no further testimony was
heard.
After some minutes elaboration the Jury
returned a verdict.
The Verdict.
That the said Ethel Conway Curtis came
to her death about ) o'clock PM. Decem-
Der g. 1893, at the Carroll avenue crossing
Of Palt
koma, ID. c., from fracture of the skull and
other injuries due to being struck by a To-
connective in charge Of Lemuel Mark, en-
gineman. From the testimony We believe
that the employees of the road are without
blame in the case. In view Of the increased
travel at this point and the great danger
at this crossing, We strongly recommend
that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany be required to extend the arms of the
safety gates 50 as to pass over the side
walk at said crossing and to erect and
maintain light at each platform. We
further recommend that the gateman at
this crossing devote his entire time to the
management of his gates and the protection
of passengers while trains are approach
Ing or standing at the station and be re-
heved OF all other duties at such times"
The Funeral.
The funeral of the deceased took place
this afternoon from St Paurs Chapel, Rev.
DR.. Harding officiating. The interment was
made in Rock Creek cemetery.
Last night, by a rising VOTE the congrega-
ton of Trinity Church, Takoma, passed res
clutions of sympathy. a copy of which was
sent to the bereaved father.
public meeting of the citizens has been
called for tonight for the purpose of discus
sing the sad affair and to take steps looking
toward the better protection of life at the
crossing as several persons have come near
suffering the fate of Miss Curtis.