Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-10
DEATH DUE TO ACCIDENT
Thomas Coyle Falls Under the Wheels of q
Horse Car.
Was Member of q Party of Young
People Returning From a Ball
The Verdict.

northeast, slipped from an lexington and
Soldiers Home horse car near I'd and Quin-
cy streets northeast about II 80 o'clock last
night and received injuries from which he
died soon aftsrward. Early in the evening
the young man, with number of compan-
ions, went out to lexington, where they
have club room. The party Of young peo-
pie spent an enjoyable evening in dancing,
and shortly after II o'clock they started
homs. There were nine Of them in the par
ty, and near I'd and Quincy streets they
boarded the horse car driven by Joseph
Seibsn, with G. H. James as conductor.
They were all in good humor, and as most
OF them were going to leave the car at
Florida avenue they got on the front plat
form with the driver. The latter invited
them to go in the car, but they were too
well satisfied on the platform, though some
of them had but little foothold. One OF the
ladies wanted to drive, but Seiben declined
to surrender the reins. The car had not
gone more than twenty feet after the party
got aboard when Coyle missed his footing
and slipped under the wheels. In Slipping
he fell against Mr.. ]. A. Hamilton. also
member Of the party, and knocked him
from the car. Hamilton rolled from the
track, while Coyle fell In front OF the wheel
Death Soon Follows.
The car was stopped and the injured man
was soon on his way to the hospital, but
he died before the doctors had time to Go
anything for him.
The deceased was twenty-four' years old
and had been employed as clerk for the
gas company.
Coroner Carr held an inquest today at
the sixth precinct station, and verdict Of
accidental death was rendered. After the
inquest had been held the body was taken
to the late home of the deceased by an un-
dertaker and prepared for burial His
funeral may take place tomorrow.
Coroner's Examination.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook told Of the
examination he made of Coyle's body. The
right leg was broken and there was also 4
fracture of the hip. He also found fright
full wound Of the side, and this had injured
his kidneys. There was also a fracture of
the base of the skull. Acute hemorrhage
following the injuries caused the mans
death.
E. E. Roberts, 621 East Capitol street,
testified that he was passenger on the car
last night, when party of six young gem
tiemen and ladies got on the at I'd and
streets northeast. Instead of getting in
the car they got on the front platform.
Coy.e suddenly disappeared and witness
was satisfied that he had fallen under the
car, because he heard his feet strike
against the vehicle. The was stopped
and the young man. who unconscious,
was taken from beneath it. He was I'M
conscious up to the time he was taken
away to the hospital. Witness said when
he got off the car he noticed that the front
wheel was against the unfortunate mans
breast.
jeremiah Horigan who lives at 1l19 18th
street northeast, was next called.
Tell the jury about the affair."" he was
directed.
There's not much to tell" he said.
Nine of us got on the car at the turn, and
rem aimed on the platform. Mr.. Hamilton
was the last one to get on and Coyle slip
ped against him."
He explained that Mr.. Hamilton was
Knocked off and rolled from the track but
Coyle fell in front of the car. Witness raid
he thought the affair was purely an acct
dent.
WAS Mr. Coyle under the influence of
liquor?" the coroner asked.
NO. SIR" answered witness.
Had he been drinking?"
mo, sir L.
Witness asked if,there was a fender
on the car, and he said he thought not He
thought horse cars were not equipped with
tenders.
Members Of the Party Testify.
Miss Bessie Dawkins, who was a member
OF the party, said she did not witness the
accident. She did not know anything had
happened until some of her companions
screamed, and then she jumped off. Her
friends, she thought, saw everything that
happened.
]. A. Hamilton, 2O7 10th street southeast.
gave evidence that, in company with
friends, he left the club room about 10
O'Clock, and they got on the front plat
form of the car. Witness was the last to
get on. When the had moved about
twenty feet Coyle slipped against witness
and knocked him off
Il rolled away from the track he said,
and knew nothing more of what happened
until | saw Coyle under the Wheels
Witness assisted in removing the car
from his friend.
Was the car stopped promptly?"
81 can't tell"
Did Coyle say anything while he was
under the carr"
He merely groaned three times"
The Drivers Story.
Joseph Seiben, driver of the car. "A De-
catur street northeast, testified that his
car left T street at II rs pm He saw the
young people standing near the curve and
when he stopped the car they got on. One
OF the young ladies rema rked:
I'VE are not going to pay any fare be-
cause we are only going to Florida avenue"
Witness told her he had nothing to do
with the collection of fares and asked
them if they would please get inside.
We would sooner stay outside" one of
them remarked
Then one of the ladies wanted to drive
the horses, but he informed her that he
was paid for driving. The passengers did
not go inside, he requested.
Was there a fender on your carp the
coroner asked.
NO, SIR replied the driver Horse
do not have fenders.''
Witness said he stopped the car as soon
as he could after the young man fell He
unhitched the horses and assisted in taking
the injured man from the track
There were other witnesses in attendance
but the jury thought it was unnecessary to
hear them.
The War I'm Cuba.