Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-06
THE TRAGIC TRACKS
Hattie Robey Ground to Pieces by a
Locomotive.
ANOTHER GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENT
Testimony Given Today at the
Coroner's Inquest.
VERDICT OF ENUMERATION

Suddenly and almost without warning of
any kind the life of young girl was end
ed last evening in one of the most horrible
methods imaginable and additional sorrow
Is heaped upon widowed mother. AS Miss
Hattie Robey, the pretty seventeen-year-old
daughter of Mrs. Louise Robey, residing at
ODD Z street southwest. attempted to cross
the railroad tracks at 9Th and c streets she
was struck by engine No. SD Of the Rich
Eiond and Danville Railroad Company, which
was backing down 9th street on it's way to
the round house. The New York limited
had just passed on its way to the depot.
When the body was removed from be-
meath the engine 1t was found to be mangled
beyond recognition. The remains were
placed in box and removed to Lees I'M
dertaking establishment. There Coroner
Woodward held an inquest this afternoon
before jury made up of Messrs. John P.
Lucas, Henry ]. Greenwood, Fielder A. New
man, Eugene Fugitt, Joseph A. McDermott
and James l.. Crump.
Railroad Employees Testify.
Willard F. Tice-. upon being sworn, testi-
ned that he Is by occupation an engineer on
the Richmond and Danville railroad Last
evening at S:45 O'clock while backing down
9Th street it was so dark that he could not
see ahead, but his fireman was on the
tender keeping a lookout. Suddenly the
latter signaled to stop. and when he had
done so Mr.. TIGER said he was informed
by the fireman that some person had been
struck. They then alighted and found that
girl was under the engine. The gates
running slowly.
Robert w Cline. the fireman was sworn
and said that while sitting in the tender of
the engine. as 1t was about to cross c
md 1Avnltr hi.
the closed gates. He Immediately signaled
the engineer to stop, but before a stand
sun could be reached the person was struck
The speed of the engine was about four or
six miles per hour. The engine stopped
within distance equal to one-half its own
length.
The gateman at 9Th and streets. Thos.
Lally, was the next witness When the ac-
cident happened he was standing by the
handles that operate the gates. As the
New York limited passed on it's way to
the depot. and the Richmond and Danville
engine approached the crossing Lally saw
a white object pass around the gates and
step upon the tracks in front of the moving
locomotive That was all he observed until
the engine stopped.
Frank A. Jackson, a yard conductor for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company reach
ed the scene of the accident eight or nine
minutes after it occurred. He described
the position of the body under the pilot
Eye-Witnesses Give Evidence
standing on the crossing in front of the en-
CINE. the gates being down. Almost in
stantly the girl was struck and disap-
peared. In reply to a question from Cor
oner Woodward. the witness stated that
her husband and her son are both employees
of the railroad.
Franklin Bid, bother by occupation.
noticed young lady standing on the cor
ner as the engine approached The night
Wit fnr
reason, was himself afraid to cross The
engine stopped and Mr.. Bid fastened to the
other side. thinking the young lady was one
of his friends. He was surprised to find
that she was under the engine. Witness
noticed no lights on the engine. and to the
best of his knowledge the gates were
bowed, not entirely closed.
Thomas Mason, a car driver was stand
ing in his doorway, 601 c street when
Hattie passed. She spoke pleasantly and
continued on her way. A moment later
witness heard engine stopping and he
rushed to the scene before the engine had
crossed the street
John Werden and Engineer Murdoch were
also called, but they knew nothing except
that the body was found under the engine.
The Verdict.
After a short elaboration the Jury rem
dered the following verdict:
Hattie Robey came to her death at S:45
o'clock p m, June 3. 1894, at the corner of
d. c.. from a fracture of the skull and
other injuries due to her being then and
there run over by an engine of the r. and
ID. K. X. Co, with Willard +. TIGER, engin-
eer, and Robert w. Cline fireman.
From the evidence We believe that said
death was without blame on part of said
railroad company or any of its employees"
The Mother Frustrated.
The mother of the deceased is Frustrated
with grief. Her husband met with sudden
death few years ago, leaving her with
three young children to provide for Miss
Hattie held situation at the Palais Royal
and this morning the employees of that es-
Establishment subscribed over $50 to which
MIR. Lisner added a generous amount all
OF which is to be forwarded to the mother
rms is the first fatal railroad accident in
the District since December . last, when
Miss Ethel Curtis met a similar horrible
death at Takoma Park