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

SCENE OF T
Frustrated on hearing of the occurrence.
The mother died but a short time ago. and
the sudden and terrible taking away of
their father was in the nature of thun-
derbolt
Word was sent to the residence of DIR.
Custis. upon an intimation of the identity
of the other victim, and the remains of
the young lady were fully identified as
those of Miss Villa
Were Intimate Friends.
Mr.. Claughton. who was nearly seventy
years of age, has been in the habit of driy-
ing each evening. when the weather was
pleasant. He did this partly for the bene-
fit of his health. His family and that of
DR. Gusts for years past have been on
the most friendly terms. and he was a fire.
quent caller at the East Capitol street
home. Stopping there shortly before G
O'Clock last evening, with a buggy and
two horses. Mr. Claughton invited Miss
Villa to take a ride. She readily accepted,
and they drove out the Be1ning road to
a point some distance beyond Benning
On the return trip they proceeded toward
Deanewood. with the sad result described.
Coroner Carr. who was notified of what
had happened as soon as the bodies had
y,
far as he could, last evening, holding
conference with Station Master Robey.
The coroner decided to mold an inquest
today at Speare's undertaking establish
ment. Engineer Cockley continued with
the train to- New York. but Dispatcher
Baker was relieved from duty by an oper-
ator named Andrews. sent out from this
city to take his place at tie tower.
Miss Gusts. who has a large circle of
friends. is a sister of DIR. G. B. Custis. who
recently left for Canada on a vacation trip.
He has been summoned home by telegraph.
The family is well known and highly con-
nected, being among the descendants CT
George Washington. the first President.
\ College Instructor.
Mr.. CIaughton was a representative mem
Der of the District bar. OF late years he
has conducted law partnership with his
son. Rudolphe Claughton, their office being
on Louisiana avenue. opposite the city hall.
He was a typical Virginian, with white
flowing hair, genial expression of counte-
nance, and possessed of a commanding
figure He was a most pleasing talker and
was very popular. both among the lawyers
and others of his associates. In the law
department of National University he was
Instructor of the senior class and professor
OF common law pleading and equity juris-
prudence He had been connected with the
university for fifteen years He has served
as counsel in many law cases of note, and
was employed attorney for the claim
ants in the well-known Potomac flats lti-
gation- Mr.. Claughton was born May ~,
ls2s. in Westmoreland county. Va. As
youth he was energetic, and secured a good
education When yet young man he ac-
companied Senator Dickson H. Lewis to
alabama, studying law there. He went to
st Martin. West Indies. in 1850, as United
States consul. remaining a year. and meet
wife. 1''
Admitted to the Bar.
Mr.. Claughton subsequently resumed the
STUDY Oh law in Virginia, and In 1854 was
admitted TO the bar and practiced his pro-
fession in Alexandria. At the commence
ment of the civil war he was placed under
lne supervision of the federal authorities
at Washington for some reason not now
known. but was given his liberty on prom
lsing TO leave the country. He went back
10 the West Indies and afterward located
at Demarara once more he returned to
virginia, In 1865. and practiced law there
until 1870 when he was elected to the state
senate He came TO this city at the concIu-
sion or his term In the senate and has re-
NAMED mere The deceased was an elder in
the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
an earnest worker in church affairs and a
teacher of large class of young ladies'
Inc night before his death he conducted a
prayer service at his church, when he
spoke at length regarding the hereafter
Mr.. Claughton sat for the photograph a
cut OF which is reproduced in The Star
August D. at the establishment of Mrs j.
D. Merritt. oO1 Pennsylvania avenue On
receiving a proof he remarked that the
photograph was the best he ever had taken
and left orders for several dozen to be fin
ished today.
After the jury had been sworn the re-
mains were removed from the room and
the inquest was adjourned while the iury
proceeded to Lees undertaking establish
ment on Pennsylvania avenue between Sd
and ~ streets. TO view and be sworn over
the be dy of Miss Gusts.
Mr.. Franklin n. Mackey was present at
the inquest, representing the family of
Mr.. Claughton- Mr. William. chief clerk to
railroad. was also in attendance Mr. John
Ridout was present in the interest of Dr.
Gusts. and several other attorneys were
among the interested listeners to the testi-
mcny, which was recorded by trio Of
stenographers.
An unusual feature of the inquest was
the understanding at the commencement
of the proceedings that all the witnesses
would be employees of the railroad COM
paDy.
The Inquest Commenced.
The inquest was commenced today at
Speare's undertaking establishment. After
all the available witnesses mad been ex-
amined the coroner, at the suggestion of
Assistant District Attorney Hugh T. Tag
CART. adjourned the hearing until Monday
afternoon at 1 o'clock in order hat the
occurrence may be more fully investigated
and more testimony perhaps produced Mr.
Harvey Given of the district attorneys
office was also present. Assistant District
Attorney Taggart took an active part in
the proceedings.
Coroner Carr placed under oath, as a
jury, the following: William Ferdinand
Broot, William s. Gil. Z. Clayton Bern
helm. George +. Berry, Washington Top
ham and Samuel Bricker The coffin
containing the body of Mr. CIaughton was
uncovered and the jury sworn directly
around the remains.
In no sense was the body mangled or
dlsnSured 10 any extent.
br. hofhn Describes the Fatal
DIR. Sterling Ruffin of 1023 Vermont ave-
nue. was the first witness. He testified that
he had made an examination of the bodies
OF Mr.. Ciaughton and Miss GUSTS. Both
were considerably bruised.
On the remains of Mr.. Claughton were
found a lacerated wound of the left TEN.
pie, slight depression OF the skull AMI
bruises on the cheeks, hands and other pr
tons OF the body. Below the left ear is a
Druise. and back OF the ear is an abrasion
beneath which there may possibly be a
fracture of the skull The knees and fee.
were also injured. The body of Miss Gusts
lG~E4N