Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-28
Brakeman's Statement.

Brakeman's Statement.
According to the story of Hirleman, told
to Star reporter. the passenger car could
not draw the coal up the steep hill
north of the power house. 1t was accord
ingly decided to cut 1t loose and run 1t back
to the switch at the power house, letting
some other car with more power take it to
Glen Echo. Hirleman stated that he put
the brakes on, and the attempt was made
to cut the coal car loose from the passenger
car This could not be done. and he re-
leased the brakes and applied them again
The coupling was pulled out. and just at
that time the chain broke and the car
started down the steep declivity. From
this point to the place of the run-in is prac-
tically one immense hill, the only up grade
being one square. extending from V to U
street. After the car started an attempt
was made to check it, but, finding his eff
forts futile, Hirleman jumped off to save
himself and let the loaded car CO.
Car No. IL, which was wrecked, left the
Georgetown terminal few minutes before
the accident. Attached to 1t was car No:
100, which is used as a freight car. AS
before stated there were about forty pas
sengers aboard, nearly all of whom were
suburban residents, going home with small
bundles, purchases made in town. The
freight car stopped at several places along
the line and took on goods and marketing
for people out in the county. A stop was made
in front of the branch of the Great Falls
Ice Company, at 1927 32d street, and Geo.
Allen, the manager, was engaged in placing
ice on the freight car when the crash came.
He had placed all but one or two pieces of
the ice on the freight car. Being behind
time, the employees of the car were in a
hurry to proceed, but 1t afterward proved
that had the car not been detained loss of
life would have resulted. The motorman
would not have had time to stop his car
had 1t been moving, and some Of the pas
sengers could not have escaped, so quickly
did the crash follow the first appearance
of the runaway in the distance.
The car was in charge of Henry Vogt, as
motorman. and Milton Riley, conductor,
while the freight was in charge of John
Schneider, as conductor. The fares of car
No. u were being collected during the
wait and Conductor Riley had rung up ten
tickets and four cash fares before the run
away was sighted.
When the Crash Came.
AS the cars came together there was a
loud sound of crashing timbers, and one
large piece of splintered wood, about two
feet in length. and perhaps six inches
square, went sailing westward and crashed
through the large window Of Carters bar
Der shop. Another block of wood went
through the large plate glass window of
Viewers store, east of the scene while
pieces of flying wood and coal lodged on
shelter sheds and the roofs Of nearby
houses
The runaway car in its flight twice
crossed the tracks of the Metropolitan
railroad. few seconds after the car
passed SD street and Dunbarton avenue, a
Metropolitan car rounded the curve. At
32d and streets, there was a large crowd
Of transfer passengers waiting.
The repair force of the Tenleytown road
was augmented about half an hour after
the run in by the hurry-up wagon of the
Metropolitan railroad. and after working
fully an hour and half longer, the debris
was got together in such shape. that 1t was
possible to tow it to the car barns on 32d
street. There was some trouble, however
o'c,ock when the vrecka0e reachod ;to
destination.
Previous Accidents.
The runaway Saturday Is the second that
occurred on the main part Of 82d street,
and the third in all since the railroad has
been in operation. Five or SIX years ago