Evening star., 1896-09-22
C0R0NER'S INQUEST
Investigating the Death Of John
Quigley.
STRUCK BY An ELECTRIC CAR
Witnesses Disagree as to Whether
He Was Getting On.
THE ENCE GIVEN

Coroner Hammett and a jury inquired to-
day at Lees undertaking establishment
into the death Of John Qugley of $50 K
street southwest, who died at noon Sun
day Of a fractured skull, as the result of in
juries alleged to have been received Satur-
day between and 7:3O o'clock pm, by
falling from a 9th street electric car at
9th street and Pennsylvania avenue. The
following composed the jury: John H
Knapp. Andrew w. Hancock, Thomas J.
Codrick. Arthur B. Nodine. Thomas
Plunkett and Leopold Baumgarten.
The first witness, Ada Klink, little girl
living at 92 Logan place, testified that she
was on the car, which, going north, had
stopped just south of the avenue, when
Quikley attempted to get aboard. Just as
he placed one foot on the step, and while
holding with one hand the side bar rail,
the car was started and the man fell back
ward to the pavement. The car kept on
Until it reached the north side of the ave-
nue., when it stopped, the conductor return
ing with others to pick the man up. The
han had bundle in one hand.
Deputy Coroner GlaZebrook testified to
making an autopsy on the mans body
yesterday, explaining that death was due
to a terribly fractured skull. the fracture
running from the left ear backward to the
other side The man had apparently en-
jOyeu very SOUu nealtn, ana there was uO
indication of intoXication.
George Slant stated that he saw the man
fau and he seemed to have fallen just
he was in the act of reaching out Tor
the car rail. Sarah Heroes, a small girl!
living at 1909 1th street. corroborated the
testimony of Ada kiink. stating that the
man fell while attempting to board the
|. car, and while he had foot on the step.
and lust after the car was started. She
| also said he had bundle in hand.
She certain that the car was slowly
moving off when the man fell backward.
| The witness was somewhat uncertain, how
| ever, as to whether the bell had or had
| not been rung when the man attempted to
| board the
More Testimony.
Benedict NJ Lane of 30 Irving street
| said he was sitting on the rear seat of the
| trailer. when he saw MIR. Quigley ard an
| other man. holding to each other, approach
| the car as it moved off. Mr.. Quigey the
| witness said, did not attempt to get on the
| car, but appeared to be waiting for 1t to
| pass him. But he approached too near.
| and the handle bar of the fourth seat
| struck him, turning him around, when an
| other handle bar struck him and knocked
| him Down. He was positive that Quisley
| did not catch hold of the car or in any
! other way attempt to board it.
Philip H. Sprecht Of us Whitney avenue
| saw the accident. but said he was unable
TO definitely say whether Quigley attempted
| to board the car or not. although he wax
| positive he did not catch hold Of the car.
| Quigley was walking with a friend, who
| had hold of his arm. and when witness
caught hold of him to lift him up after the
| accident the injured mans breath smeled
| strongly Of hisky. Quigley had been left
| by his friend when the car struck him, and
seemed to be leaning forward. Witness be-
| ieved that mis- forward movement was due
| to iEtoxicat:on. and he believed that neither
| the conductor nor the motorman was ir
| any way responsible for the accident. The
! witness acknowledged giving the conduc
| tor d written statement. which differed
, somewhat from his testimony, explaining
that he gave it to the conductor to protec
| the latter.
| George Whiting, a young nephew of the
man killed, said that they parted at 7tt
street and the avenue about $50 o'clock
and while his uncle might have taken q
drink or two, he was positive he was no.
intoxicated then. DR.. W. p. Carr of the
Emergency Hospital described the man:
injuries, but he explained that while hi.
breath indicated that the man had taker
Intoxicating liquor, how much he hat
drank could not he ascertaned.
Geo. S. Evans. the conductor of the car
PIG. testified that Quigley and his com
panion were standing the curb when h,
started the car. The moved off slowly
and when the train had gone about it!
length, he heard some one cry out: ''Lool
| out!' He looked back and the mai
| lying in the street He then stopped tn
car and ran back to the man, raised hin
and detected a strong odor of Intoxicating
| liquor He was positive the man did no
attempt TO board the car, and believed h
was struck by the rear end of the trailer.
Additional witnesses were examined a
to the sobriety of the man killed, but NJ
verdict had been reached at late hou
this afternoon.