Evening star., 1896-12-26
ALEXANDRIA AIRS
Rear End Collision on the Mount Vernon
Road.
Passenger Car Struck by q Material
terest From Down the River.
Evening Star Bureau,

A rear-end collision on the Washington.
Alexandria and Mt. Vernon electric rail-
road last night, fortunately, resulted In no
one receiving any serious injury. Electric
train No. 256 which left this city at Z
o'clock, consisting of a motor car and trail
er, was loaded with passengers bound for
Washington. When Spring Park, about
one-half mile west Of this city, was reached
the train came to stop. Suddenly there
was a crash from behind. The lights In
the car went out, and Immediately the
crowd made a break to get out. Some went
out of the windows, without having any re-
spect for the glass or sash. During this
confusion a second crash came. In q few
minutes the car was entirely empty, and
the cause of the accident known. The ma
terial train, with A. s. Mason. one of the
companys telegraph operators, acting as
motorman, had run into the passenger
train completely demolishing the rear plat
form of the trailer. Fortunately, there was
no one seriously hurt, though two pas
sengers who were standing on the rear
platform Of the trailer when the trains
came together were quite badly cut about
the face and hands by flying glass, besides
being bruised by falling. No one seems to
know why this material train was allowed
to follow the passenger train or why tele-
graph operator was In charge
Alexandrians are very much 1ncehSed AT
this action on the part Of the railroad au-
thorities, and they say that they never
know when their lives are safe II lncompe-
tent men are to be allowed to run the mo-
tor cars pulling these trains. one passen-
ger remarked last night that 1t Is case OF
get on a train at one end OF the line, ana
upon arrival at the other, thank God we
are here" A Star reporter happened to be
on the wrecked train and had conversa-
ton with Telegraph Operator Mason, who
was running the train that did the damage.
He said: THE train had no business stop
ping and if it had not stopped l would not
have struck it." When asked why he
struck the train the second time, he said
that when the first crash came the jar
knocked him off his feet and he fell to the
floor, and before he could gain his feet and
reverse the motor the second crash came.
When asked why he did not reverse the
controller when he first saw the train he
said that would have burned out the motor,
and that it would have cost the company a
great deal to replace 1t.
Church Music.
The music sung in ST. Paul's, Christ and
Grace churches Christmas day will be re-
peated at the morning service in those
churches tomorrow. The musical programs
which have been published in The Star
were especially well rendered yesterday,
and church-goers will be glad to avail
themselves of another opportunity to hear
1t. There will also be special music in the
Baptist and the Methodist Episcopal
churches.
Florence CrittentOn Mission.
There will be public meeting of the
Florence Crittenton Mission at the Alfred
Street Baptist Church tomorrow afternoon
at 3 o'clock. Mrs. Matte r. Bowen and
Mrs. Sara D. La Fetra of Washington will
make addresses.
st. Johns Christmas Service.
At ST. Johns Chapel Sunday morning
there will be a special Christmas service at
which Mr.. VIM. H. F. Beckham of the Vir-
ginia Theological Seminary will preach.
The chapel has been prettily decorated
and the music will be especially pretty and
appropriate.
Christmas German.
The Xmas german of the Alexandria
German Club at McBurney's Hall last night
was a great success in every way and was
the largest of the season. Many couples
from Washington, Baltimore and all the
gay young bellies of Alexandria danced the
Louis c. Barley in his usual graceful man
ner, until an early hour this morning.
Police Court.
Although yesterday was Christmas day.
very few arrests were made. consequently
Mayor Thompson had a very short docket
to dispose of this morning The first case
called was that of William Douglas, COL
ored; charge, drunk, dsorderly and inde-
cent conduct; fined s., in default of which
he went to Jail for twenty days.
George Beard, colored: charge, drunk and
disorderly; fined s. or twenty days on the
gang.
Notes.
The Sunday school of Grace and the Sec
ond Presbyterian churches will have their
Christmas celebrations Monday night.
The remains of Mr.. John A. Humphries
were inferred from the NJ. E. Church
South today at 2:3O o'clock.
Raymond, the bright little son of Mr..
Joseph Mingtn, who has been i'll only a
few days, died at his parents home on
upper Prince street yesterday Of diphtheria.