Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-21

picked up at a point about a hundred
yards distant, just as he was breathing
his last. Some distance away Miss Custis
vas found, and a few moments later her
death occu1 ed.
Might Have Been Avoided.
Those familiar with the surroundings ex-
pressed no hesitation in declaring that had
a sufficient numter of employees been pro-
vided by the railroad company the ter
rible catastrophe would have been avoid
ed. Deanewood is a tower station, and the
thorol ghfare over which Mr.. Claughton
and Miss CLstis were driving crosses The
railroad tracks there obliquely. The cross
ing is provided with gates. Persons ap-
preaching along the road from either di-
rection have their view of the railroad
tracks obstructed by rows of houses which
intervene. There is no watchman employ
ed at the crossing, and the duty of rails
ing and lowering the gates devolves upon
the dispatcher, located in the tower. The
requirements of this employe also include
the receipt and transmission of dispatches
and the manipulation of the block signal
system.
On duty in the tower yesterday evening
was a young nan named Levi Baker. He
is employed as supply extra dis
patcher, and served in the place of the
regular man, who is absent on his vaca-
ticn. Baker reported for duty at q o'clock.
AS stated, at 6.59 o'clock, train No. GA,
drawn by engine No. s. in charge of En-
gineer j. A Cockley. left the 9th street de-
pot in this city for New York. Mr.. Claugh-
ton. finding the safety gates open and not
being able to see for any distance along
the tracks, proceeded to cross just the
train approached Deanewood.
what is known as the block for which Dis
patcher Baker was responsible, he received
a telegraph message from the operator on
duty at the next block informing him of
the whereabouts of the train. Just as he
ticked back 20. X" another message was
sent i'm from the operator at the block to
the north announcing the approach of q
tain bound for Washington. Before the
latter message was completed Baker heard
the rumble of the express train nearby, and
rising hastily from his chair reached over
and grasped the lever and began lowering
the gates.
Overcome With Terror.
Just then he glanced at the crossing and
noticed a vehicle entering within the
gates. Before he could speak or even turn
a hand all was over. Miss Custis, who saw
the train approach just as the vehicle
reached the track, was noticed to grasp the
arm of Judge Claughton. as though she
was overcome with terror.
As soon as he recovered from the shock
resulting from the horrible sight he wit
messed Baker dashed downstairs, where he
vas Joined by Joshua A. Disner, a track
foreman, who had been standing In front of
his residence just a few yards from the
scene of the collision, but who had not
seen the train until It was almost upon the
vehicle.
The engineer of the train broupbt a. IN a
standstill as soon he could do so, and
with the conductor and a number of pas
sengers hastened back. They first found
the body Of Mr.. Claughton lying at the
mouth of a drain. as stated, about a hun
dred yards from the crossing. Miss Custis
was lying at the side of the track, about
fifty yards nearer the crossing. AS she
was still breathing, she was carried with
out delay to the tower house. The animals
driven by Mr.. Claughton met with instant +
death, and, badly mangled. they lay at the 4
side of the track The vehicle was splin-
tered and but little remained of the har- !
Bodies Brought TO the City.
As the bodies were receiving attention
an incoming train from the west ap-
preached and was stopped Mr.. Claugh-
ton, dead. and Miss Custis, still breathing,
were placed in the baggage car. She died,
however q few moments later. Notifica-
ton OF the occurrence was transmitted to
after reaching Washington the bodies were
removed to Lees undertaking establish
ment.
The identity of MFR. Claughton being es-
sent to his residence, 1740 p street. to an
nounce the sad news. The first suppose
ton was that Miss Custis was Mr. Claugh- 4
tons daughter: but that error was soon
ceased happened to be at home. The chill