Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10
ALEXANDRIA AT FAIRS
Conflicting Evidence as to Speed of Rail-
road Train.


night with those who had cone TO hear the
| trial of the case of Engineer Graham and
Conductor Bresenham of train No. 30 OF
the Pennsylvania railroad which struck
and demolished electric train No. . at the
corner of King and Fayette streets Thurs
day morning last.
They were charged with violating a city
ordinance in running the train through
the streets Of the city at a greater rate Of
speed than five miles PER hour, required
by law. There We're number of witnesses
present, and their testimony varied to
the rate Of speed at which the train WAS
running as it passed through Fayette
street.
Henry Burke an employe who was sit
ting in the electric car at the time il was
struck, said he saw the steam train as it
approached, but was unable TO say at what
rate of speed the train was running.
Thomas German, railroad engineer OF
considerable experience, testified that when
the train passed his house. two squares off,
1t was running at rate of thirty-five miles
per hour, in his opinion.
James Kelly testified that he saw both
trains approach the crossing, and that each
was the same distance from the CROSSE lg
and running at the usual rate of speed.
Mr.. Chilcotte saw the accident, but was
unable TO state at what rate of speed the
trains we're running Robert Ford brake
man on the electric train, testified that he
was In the demolished car: that he saw the
steam train approaching; that 1t struck
almost instantaneously. When he saw the
train it was two hundred yards off, and be-
fore he could step from the trailer to the
motor car il struck. Ford should have run
ahead CT the electric train TO flag IL al the
crossing, but admitted that he neglected to
do
Mr.. Rick Coleman saw the train strike,
but was unable to state al what rate of
speed the steam train was running. Or
former engineer
that the train was running at least twenty
five miles an hour when he il.
Motorman Mumford of the electric train
testified that when he first the engine
it was hundred feet off IF il had been
running at five miles per hour" he said.
lit would not have struck us" Mr.. John
Marshall an eyewitness said the train was
running a twenty twenty-five miles per
hour when II passed Fayette and Prince
streets, one square, two hundred and fifty
feet, on. John Turner. who lives at the
corner OF Duke and Fayette streets, testi-
fed that the train passed his house at
about seven miles an hour. George Brown,
an old railroad man, testified that the train
was running a rate of speed not exceei-
lne, three miles per hour at the corner
where the accident occurred. Engineer Gra-
ham of the Pennsylvania train was put on
the stand in his own defense.
He testified that as d freight irain had
just gone on in front of him IL was neres-
sary for him to run cautiously. He said
he shut off steam at Roberts crossing
about mile from the cty). He could not
state his exact speed. but was positive II
was not over five miles per hour. passing
through the city.
Conductor Breserham testified that his
train was not running on any portion of
the road that morning HI rate of thirty
f1ve miles per nour. John Jet. the fireman.
and George Pitcher brakeman of the steam
train, corroborated the engineer and con-
ductor.
There being such diversity of opinion
as to the rate of speed at which the train
was actually running, witnesses tostifving
all the way from three to thilty-fve miles
an hour, and the majority in favor of the
greater rate, Mayor Thompson held that
the speed limit of five miles per hour had
been exceeded and therefore fined Engineer
Graham so.
sylvania company. and Corporation Attor-
ney S. G. Brent represented the city
October Term Corporation Court
The October term of the corporatfon
court will begin Monday next The follow
Ing cases will be brought before the grand
jury: John Murray. Jacob Cronin and Thos
Linney. the three young white men who
are charged which highway robbery and
assaulting a policeman; Andrew Alex
ander. colored for breaking into store:
Harry simpson and -- Ewald, charged
with robbery from the person.
Spent the Day in Washington.
IN accordance WIN a custom started
some years ago, Mr.. VIM. H. Greenwich
vice principal of the Washington High
School, today took number of his pupils
to Washington sightseeing. They left here
in omnibuses this morning and spent the
day visiting the various public buildings
and places of interest. These trips while
recreation to the boys, have always proven
of highly beneficial character as a mat
ter of instruction.
General and Personal Rreyitics
Messrs. J. f. Willard of Fairfax and
James r. Cation of this city will address the
Bryan. Sewall and RiXey Club on the 10th
instant
Mr.. Ferdinand Travers died at his home
in this city yesterday afternoon.
DR. r. NJ. Slaughter of Seminary Hill has
opened an office in this city.
Potomac Lodge, |. o. o. f. held n regular
business meeting last night.
The Bell Telephone Company has gotten
its lines into working order again
Mr.. David J. Lannon. graduate in law of
the National University Law School Of
Washington, has gone to New York to
practice his profession In the office of Judge