Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-28
ACCIDENTAL DEATH
William R. Watson Killed While
Coupling Cars.
C0R0NER'S JURY RETURNS VERDICT
Commissioner mcfarland Hears
Testimony.
RS JURY RETURNS VERDICT
HELD BETWEEN DEAD BLOCKS

District Commissioner Macfarland was
an interested spectator at an inquest held
the sixth precinct station this morning
over the body of William r. Watson,
Baltimore and Ohio railroad brakeman, who
was killed at Shepherds landing, below
Anacostia, last night. Members of the
train crew We're shifting cars at the time.
The unfortunate man gave the engineer a
signal to move his engine. He then stepped
between the cars, evidently for the purpose
of arranging the coupler. His arm was
caught between the cars and before he
could release himself his body was held
between the dead blocks" The train was
stopped Immediately, and the brakemans
fellow workmen found that his life had
been crushed out. The body was brought
to the city and removed to the morgue.
Watson was about thirty-two years old.
He lived on Randall street, Baltimore, and
leaves a wife and several children.
The coroners jury heard the testimony
of a number Of witnesses and returned u
verdict of accidental death. The remains
were taken to Baltimore for burial.
The Evidence.
Policeman J. w. Mccormick testified that
he knew nothing of the affair until after
the accident occurred. He had interviewed
several members of the train crew, who told
him of the finding of the man between two
cars. The Waterman, he was told, heard
the man grooming and stopped the train.
Watson was found between the dead
blocks" of two cars. Witness was informed
that the accident occurred at 9:2D o'clock.
Harvey Hayes, Waterman for the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company at Shep-
herds informed the jury that he was stand
ing on a ear last night when he heard
man grooming. He jumped off and found
Watson who was In an upright position
between two cars. Witness ran ahead and
called to the engineer to start his engine.
He started 10 do SO, but the cars were
coupled and had TO be separated before the
victim could be gotten from between them.
did the man speak," the witness was
asked.
NO. sir" the witness answered. Il think
he was dead
Watson, he said. was caught between
platform and house car. Witness was the
first one to see the unfortunat e man after
he was caught between the bumpers.
He said that cars were being shifted from
the main track to the siding. The bumpers
that the man was between, the witness cx-
planned, are only two or three inches apart
when the cars are coupled
Il. II. Hale, engineer, testified that he
was on engine 213 last night. His train left
baltimore at o'clock and was due at
Shepherds at $50 last night Watson had
been employed on the road only about a
week, and had been on the train with wit
ness on two trips. Just before the accid mt
the engine. He obeyed the signal. and it
was then that the man was caught. He did
not know what Watson was doing between
the cars. as they Were coupled.
Supposed to BE Automatic.
The couplers, he said. supposed to work
automatically. but it is often necessary
Tor the brakemen to be hand and set
them. the witness thought Watson went
to" far between the cars and his arm was
caught. Then he was unable to get out and
was held between the bumpers The brake
man went in after giving the signal to
move the engine back. when he should have
seen that the cnuplers We're in proper con-
ditioE beforehand
Dr. William n. Fisher. acting deputy cor
orer. testified that he performed am autopsy
on the body this morning He described
the horrible manner in which the mans
body had been mashed and his arm torn.
Hemor1 hage was the immediate cause Of
death.
Conductor Richard Hudson also gave testi
mony- watson. he said, was a capable
man. He was sober and Industrious and
was always attentive to his work 1t was
while the brakeman was attending to his
duties that he was killed. In order to make
a coupling. he said, ii is necessary for the
brakeman to open the knuckle and then see
II the pin drops. Witness was at the roar
end of the train when the accident occur
red. He did not see the signal given
M r.. buckingham, fireman. was also ex-
amned.