Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-05

COKONEkS 4NOUtSI. -Au luNuc
was held at the old Court House on
Columbus street this morning for the
purpose of examining into the facts in
connection with the killing of Mr.. VIM.
r. Walker, fireman on the Washington
Southern Railway, early Monday
morning A jury, consisting of Messrs.
W. H. Hatch, Il. L. Sisson, r. F.
Cleveland, Andrew Schlevogt, G. w.
Salisbury and +. NJ. Deuterman, was
summoned, and Justice w. A. Schle-
vogt, in the absence of the Coroner,
conducted the inquest. w. H. Hatch
was elected foreman of the jury, and
after the remains had been viewed, the
evidence concerning the accident was
heard.
Mr.. r. H. Mann, the telegraph opera
Tor. at the scene of the accident, testi-
fed that the draw in the Long bridge
was open at the time, and that he had
been notified by signal from the draw
of that fact; that while the draw is
open the tracks are locked, and that
it is his duty to display the red signal
in order to stop trains; that he exhibit
ed the proper signal and was waiting
10 hear the all right bell from the
bridge that he might display the white
light. He could not say how fast the
train was running when the accident
occurred. He stated that it was the
duty of the train crew to keep a look
out for signals.
Mr.. John West, the conductor, was
next examined, but he was taking up
tickets at the time of the accident, and
could throw but little light on the
actual cause of it.
Engineer E. A. Hayden being called,
said the brakes worked all right when
the train left Waterloo. Both he and
Mr.. Walker saw the red light and wit
ness, supposing he had plenty of time
in which to get his train under control,
applied his brakes as usual, and finding
they were not responding satisfactorily
applied what are known as emergency
brakes and as last resort reversed his
engine and applied steam-in short be
did all in his power to stop the train,
which had been almost accomplished
when the engine toppled over. He
said the fact that the engine did not
slide after upsetting proves the train
was nearly at standstill, and that 1t
did not move is proven by the fact that
the unfortunate young mans remains
were merely mashed and showed nc
signs of having been dragged. Witness
upon being asked why he didn't use
SAND in order to check the speed of the
train when lie found his engine slip
ping, replied that the engine was back
ing and it was not possible for him to
Get sand under the drivers when they
reversed. He could probably have
stopped his train had his engine moi
been running backward. This is done,
he said because there is no time fol
turning the engine. Witness began
running local trains Sunday.
BAggagemaster c. F. Bradley and
Brakeman NJ. A. Bolts were the other
witnesses. They both saw the danger
signal. Their evidence brought out nc
new facts.
The jury returned the following yer
dict That from the testimony sub
mitted to us, we believe that w. L
Walker came to his death through the
negligence of the Washington Southern
Railway il running the engine back
ward, thus preventing the engineer
from applying sand after finding tn,
air brake would not stop the train and
the engine had been reversed"
Col. F. L. Smith was present IN the
interest of the railway company, aDt
Nessrs. G.. A. Mushbach and A. w
Armstrong for the relatives of the de
ceased.