Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-23
Closing of the Grade Crossing Gates
Secondary Consideration.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST CONTINUED
important Testimony Tending To-
ward Fixing the Responsibility.
INT TERESTING EVIDE ENCE

the accident that resulted in the deaths
Friday evening last at Deanewood cross
ing, OIL the Pennsylvania railroad, of Mr..
II. o. Claughton and Miss Villa Gusts re-
sumed proceedings at 1:3O o'clock this
afternoon at Speare's undertaking estab-
Hsfment. At the instance of Assistant
District Attorney Hugh T. Taggart the
hearing Saturday was adjourned, after all
the available witnesses had been exam
ined, until this afternoon, it being explain
ed that the district attorneys office de-
SIRED to investigate the occurrence and
perhaps summon additional persons to
testify. Attorney Flanagan was present
this afternoon in the interest of the rail-
read comrany. He cross-examined all the
witnesses.
Mounted Policeman John Boland, who re-
sides a. Bennirg, ID. c., was called by the
coroner at the suggestion of Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Taggart. He testified that
H. is familiar with the railroad tracks
and the roads near the scene of the accl-
dent. In passing along the road over
which Mr.. Claughton and Miss Custis
drove, he said, the view of the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad tracks is OBJ
structed by high bank and a row OF
houses The view of the Pennsylvania
railroad tracks is INSTRUCTED by the bank,
shed and a station.
The Operator 6nce Arrested.
The New York express train, the one
tlat ran into Mr.. Claughton's vehicle,
usually passes the Deanewood crossing at
rate of speed between fifty miles and
sixty miles an hour. SO declared the wit
ness He went on to explain the manner OF
operating the gates by the towerman.
Il had some trouble with an operator
there on one OCCASION, stated the witness.
He was slow in operating the gates.
ban I he
&C uldnt attend to two or three duties at
one and the same time. The evil not being
corrected, 1 mad to take the operator into
court. He was fined by Judge Kimball."
What are the duties of the OPERATOR"
inquired MIR. Taggart.
Looking after two telegraph instru-
ments, operating two sets of signals and
lowering and raising the safety gates,'
was the reply.
Detective Edward Horne was the next
witness. He explained that Saturday he
was detailed by Inspector Mattingly to in
vestigate the accident carefully and in de-
tail, and to submit a report thereon. The
detective said he ascended to the signal
tower, and by observation could say that
the operator was required to operate two
telegraph instruments. jot down what was
received by wire, look after the signals
and lower the gates.
After describing the locality, Detective
Horne stated that the view is so obstructed
from the roadway that it is necessary to
proceed as far as the edge of the tracks
before being able to see a train approach
ing the crossing from the direction of
Washington.
Policeman Boland was recalled to state
that often incoming and outgoing trains
pass at Deanewood at 701 pm.
Overwori<ed Operators.
James E. Thirles of Benning, the regular
operator at Deanewood, stated that he had
been employed there for three years. His
testimony was as follows:
THE operator is required to receive the
trains reports over two telegraph instru-
ments and record them. work the signals
and lower the gates. The orders are not
to operate the signals until the train is in
sight. In fact, the engineer is supposed to
lowered too soon the operator is liable to
be arrested The time of lowering the
gates is left to the judgment of the opera
tor. In order to operate the signals and
the gates the operator must leave his seat
and stand up. In lowering the gates it is
necessary to use both hands,
How many men DO you think ought to
be stationed at Deanewood in order to
properly perform all the work required
there" asked Mr.. Taggart.
"TWo," answered the witness.
"Is it not rule of the company that
the operator shall not take his hands from
the signals while they are in uSe?' Attor-
ney Flanagan inquired.
Yes sir was the reply.
But you nave an invention OF your own
for holding the signals mechanically?" was
the next query.
Yes, sir
Break the Rule COn~tantly.
Then you break the rule nearly every
time a train passes?"
Il suppose so.'
Now, why don't you lower the gates
first and then operate the signal proper
ly?" Attorney Flanagan wanted to know.
Because 1 would be arrested for keeping
the gates down too long," the witness made
reply.
What are your other duties?' Thirles
was asked.
Il am required to take the number of
every engine that passes, and see that
green flags or lights, If 1t Is night, are on
the rear of every train," stated the wit
ness.
What salary do you receiver"
The day man Is paid $40 and the night
man $40"
Train Work Given Preference.
What are your orders in regard to oper-
ating the signals and the gates"
I'VE are instructed to give the train work
preference over the gates.
Disregard for DeanewOod Crossing.
Fred. Brooks, colored, who resides near
Deanew ood described the scene after the
oo currence The witness said he heard no
whistle blow, but did hear the bell on the
engine ring Trains often passed that
crossing without either whistling or sound
ing the bell. The witness knew of many
occasions when trains passed with the
gates wide open. He also was aware of
people being caught In the gates A brother
of the witness had a narrow escape from
being struck by train at the Deanewood
crossing recently, because the gates were
lot lowered.
John E. Preston, a mounted policeman.
stationed at Benning, reached the scene
of the accident shortly after it occurred
He did not hear the whistle Of the engine.
The view of the tracks, from the road at
the crossing, is obStructed. A. person driy-
ing along the road would naturally pro-
ceed to cross the tracks II the gates were
open.
Policeman Boland and myself had a
very narrow escape there short time
ago." stated the witness. I'VE were driv-
ing along the road and were about to
cross the tracks when the gates began
to descend. 1t was necessary for me to
jump hastily from the vehicle and stop
the horse at it's head. We did not hear
the whistle. In fact, up to the time of
the accident the switch engines that pass
there constantly never whistled."
Inspector Mattlnsly's Foresight,
When the killing of Mr. Ciaughton and
Continued on Second Page.)