Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-10
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Another Tragedy at Fatal Grade
Crossing.
John K. HEWITT STRUCK BY TRAIN
Cases Before the Mayor and
First Meeting of Council.
OF H E r LOCAL NOTES
OT H E r LOCAL NOTES
Evening Star Bureau,
No. I2T King Street,
Rel Tslanbnna No lns

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July TO- 1879.
Telegraph Crossing. on the Washington
and southern railroad, about two miles
south of this city, where so many smash
ups and fatalities have occurred in recent
years, was the scene about 2:35 o'clock this
morning of another fatal collision, John K
hewitt of Fairfax being the victim A
southbound engine carrying only tender
and caboose smashed into a heavily loaded
farm wagon, of which Mr. hewitt was
driver, completely demolishfng the vehicle
and throwing the unfortunate man a dis
lance of thirty or forty feet When picked
up Mr.. hewitt was still alive, and did not
expire until he had been placed on the train
to be brought here. The deceased was forty
one years of age and unmarried. He was
the son of Mr.. Samuel E. hewitt, a we'll
known citizen of Fairfax county, and re-
sided with relatives near Pohick Church. in
that county. When the collision occurred
Mr.. hewitt was on his way to market in
washington with a load of country produce
His team was in the lead of three others
also bound for Washington. The second
wagon was driven by Mr.. e. J. hewitt, a
brother of the deceased. He states that the
horses of his brothers wagon had stepped
upon the railroad track before anybody
was aware of the approaching train. He
heard no whistle or bell, and was confident
that no signal had been given. Mr.. hewitt
had only time to call to his brother when
the engine doomed up in the darkness. and a
moment later the crash came. At that time
the horses had crossed the track, and the
wagon was literally cut in two, but the
horses escaped uninjured
Engineer James Johnson, who was in the
cab, stopped his train Immediately and re-
turned to the crossing. With the aSss lance
of Conductor William Elliott and others
present, the unfortunate man was taken up
and placed on board the train, where in a
few minutes he expired. 1t was found that
one leg had been broken and his head
crushed. He was brought to an undertake
ers establishment in this city. where the
remains will be viewed this afternoon by
Coroner Kirby of Fairfax county. jury
has been impaneled to investigate the
cause of death The train crew has been
summoned to appear, and the companions
of the dead man will also testify.
Several fatal accidents have occurred at
this crossing. There is much travel over
the Telegraph road, most of the farmers
from lower Fairfax entering town by that
route.
The Southern railroad and the Washing
ton ana Southern run parallel at this point
within a short distance of each other All
View Of a train approaching from the north
is shut off to incoming travellers. As re-
suit of the many accidents here farmers in
Fairfax county recently petitioned the rail-
road companies to place fiagmen at the
crossing, but the request was not complied
with.
After the inquest this evening the re-
mains will be conveyed back to the former
home of the deceased and Inferred Wednes-
day afternoon.