Evening star., 1898-11-03
Tragic Death of Mrs. George and
Miss MeAtee.
CORONER MAKES INVESTIGATION
Charge Of Inadequate Protection
at Railroad Crossing.
V E Il D ICT IF JU R Y

coroner william r. carr this afternoon
impaneled a jury, consisting of Fred c..
Geiseking. Alfred S. Wilson. Thomas j.
Crawford. John F. Garner, Ed X. Plant
and John F. Kelly, at the sixth precinct
station, to hold an inquest into the death
of Mrs. Florence George and Katie McAtee,
who were killed last night by train on
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. near
Langdon station.
The first witness, Deputy Coroner Glaze
brook, testified to the shocking condition
of the body of Miss McAtee. whose case
was selected for the examination, and de-
scribed it's mutilation. Death was caused
by the complete crushing in of her body.
all her ribs being broken. Her left leg had
been also torn off.
officer Phil Brown testified to finding the
bodies of Mrs George and Miss McAtee on
the west side of the Baltimore and Ohio
track near the Mills avenue crossing. The
discovery was made about 1880 O'Clock.
Mrs. Georges body was lying just at the
edge Of Mill avenue crossing, and about
fifteen feet from the track. Her hat and
coat were found several yards further on
in the direction Of Washington. Miss Nc
Atee's body was lying all twisted up, about
seventy-five feet south of Mrs. Georges,
was found 100 feet further in the same di-
rection. and between the body and the hat
were her skirts and cape, which had been
torn from her. Miss McAtee's body was
thrown over the cinder path into the road
which skirts the railway.
Policeman Brown testified that fast
train bound for Washington passed Lang
don at 1929 o'clock and a way train came
a few minutes later. The way train had
not arrived when the tragedy occurred.
The bodies were undoubtedly struck by a
train bound for Washington. The witness
produced a remarkably well prepared dia-
>ft % hD1;o
other articles named in their relation to
the railroad tracks and the crossing and
explained it to the jury.
No Gates at Crossing.
In reply to Deputy Coroner Glazebrook's 8
questions, who relieved Coroner Carr in
conducting the inquest, witness said the
Mills avenue road was thirty feet wide
where it crossed the tracks, the latter be-
ing twenty-seven feet in width. There were
no gates at the crossing Ind no watch
man. An electric bell to the east of the
crossing rang when train reached the
curve north of the crossing. The crossing
is about 400 feet from Langdon station.
and north of 1t. Both bodies were west of
the west track over which all trains COM
ing to Washington run.
The bell did not always ring, the witness
said. He knew it frequently to fail to ring
when trains were approaching.
Robert Newell of Langdon corroborated
testimony regarding the finding of the pod
les, the conditions at Mill avenue crossing
and the failure of the electric bell to ring.
Sometimes it rings when train is COM
ing and sometimes it don't" he said.
II. and o. Officials Testify.
G. S. Watson, chief clerk of the Baltimore
and Ohio road, was the next witness He
recited the time of trains going north and
south on the main branch of the b. and
O.. between and IL o'clock. One of the
fastest express trains left Baltimore at
9:32 o'clock. reaching here at 1890. 1t
should pass Langdon about 1926. This
train ran on the west track.
No report was received at the B. and 0.
office until mal was sent out last night,
but could learn nothing except the facts
about the finding of the bodies. The 1920
express stops here. An examination of cars
and engine did not discover any marks
upon them.
Mr.. 1. d. Porter. assistant superintendent
of the reform school, at whose house Mrs.
George and Miss McAtee were guests last
night, testified to their presence at his
residence.
The ladies left witness house a few min
utes after 10 O'clock Witness told them
rot to be in any hurry, as they had ample
time to catch the train for Washington,
which left Langdon at 10:44. From wit
ness house to the station there was path
and board walk the latter leading to the
east side of the Baltimore and Ohio tracks,
about 200 feet north of Mills Creek avenue
crossing. There was a cinder path along
the tracks. he believed, on the east side of
the tracks, but could not state whether
such a path existed the west side. The
ladies left the Porter house without COM
pany, as the night was very bright.
Mr.. Watson, being recalled testified that
the bell at the crossing and sign were all
the protection required at that point under
the regulations of the District Commission
ers. The engineers of the three trains
which passed Langdon had not reported
striking any objects or persons, and upon
inquiry from them they did not remember
anything of the kind.
This closed the testimony, and the jury
retired.
Particulars of Accident.
Mrs. Florence George and Miss Katie Nc
Atee of this city were instantly killed by a
Baltimore and Ohio railroad train at Lang
don, three miles north of Washington. be-
tween 10 and II o'clock last night.
The people Of that vicinity, it Is said, have
long dreaded such a tragedy at the place
where this horrible affair occurred, and
frequently for years past have pleaded with
the railroad company to place gate at the
crossing and to keep a gateman there. The
company has as often promised to consider
the matter, and has even gone so far as to
be placed, but this was as far as anything
to remedy the matter has gone.
Last evening birthday party was given
at the home of Mr. Isaac D. Porter, assist
ant superintendent of the Reform School,
which is about half mile from Langdon
station and near the school. Mrs. George
who was the mother of Mrs. Porter, and
her friend, Miss McAtee, attended. There
were also a number of other persons from
Washington present, but the two ladies de-
sired to return to their home at the Tavi-
stock flats, corner of Sd and G streets
northwest, at an early hour, and left Mr..
Porter's house with the expectation of
taking the local train which passed Lang
don at 10:47 There were no witnesses to
the accident, but it is supposed the ladies
did not notice a north-bound train which
was approaching from Washington, and
stepped in front Of the engine as 1t reached
that point.
Rapidity of Trains.
With the exception of the locals which
stop at Langdon station, all trains. both
passenger and freight. pass there, it is
said, at terrific speed, and the position
of the bodies of the unfortunate ladies when
found would appear to indicate that the
engine which caused their death was NOV
ing with great rapidity. Mrs. Georges body
was found near the station and that of
Miss McAtee behind a telegraph pole some