Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-03
ENGINEER and FIREMAN KILLED
Conductor and Engineer Of Loca
Train Held Responsible.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST

Engineer Frederick E. Maier and Fire
man Charles Zier were almost instantly
killed in a head-on collision on the Chesa-
peake Beach railroad near Pushaw station
yesterday afternoon. Two engines were
wrecked and freight car was slightly
damaged. Several of the passengers on
one train were thrown from their seats and
shaken up, but no serious injuries were
sustained by any. The accident, 1t is al
legged, was due to the disregard Of orders
on the part Of Conductor W. c. shuster and
Engineer L. H. Hayden, and the coroners
jury held them responsible for the results
soon after the bodies Of the dead men were
taken from the wreck Collins were impro-
vised and they were brought to this city to
be prepared for burial by Undertaken R. w.
Barker.
Engineer Maier came here a short time
ago from Wichita, Kan. His family lives
in that city, at 142 Ida avenue. Fireman
Zier was married two weeks ago to Miss
Mary saeger Of Nottingham, Prince
Georges county, Md, and had just return
ed from his wedding trip. The widows of
the victims were notified Of the fatal acct
dent last night. Tiers body was taken to
Marlboro today, while Maiers body may
be shipped to Kansas for burial burial oe.ou 20
o'clock a sharp curve about one mile
from Chesapeake Beach. At the point
where the local train on its way to the bay
resort and the west bound express met
there Is deep fill, and only the solidfty Of
the roadbed prevented the trains from be-
ing hurled down the embankment dis
lance of perhaps fifty feet or more
Local Train Behind Time.
1t appears from the investigation made by
the railroad officials and the coroner's jury
that the local train which left Hyattsville
| about $40 o'clock for the beach was be-
11:35, but had until ~ o'clock to make the
| distance, the west-bound express being
scheduled to leave there at the noon
hour. The rules Of the company require
| that unless the local train, which carries
| freight as well as passengers, can reach
| the beach before noon, the trainmen are
| to hold it on the siding at Owing's station.
| This the conductor and engineer failed to
do, evidently believing they could steal
| in," as the railroad men say. before the
departure of the express. When the ex-
press started from Chesapeake Beach at
noon there were twelve passengers in the
| three coaches besides the newsboy and
| trainmen. Because of the grade on the
! east end Of the line 1t was necessary to
make good speed, although when reaching
| the curve the speed was lessened: Engineer NEE
| got on the curve, but It was too late for
him to prevent the accident.
| Coming on the down grade was the mixed
| train and, 1t is believed. 1t was moving
| faster than usual on account of being be-
| hind time. AS soon as he saw what was
In store for the trains. Engineer Maier
reversed the engine, he and the fireman
| remaining at their posts until the last mo-
ment. BY their brave conduct the lives OF
a number Of persons were probably saved.
| while they might have saved their own
| Hives by jumping. Conductor Shuster and
| Engineer Hayden of the local, and Fireman
J. P. Hurd Of the same train jumped off
| and thereby avoided being in the wreck.
| ThAv escanAd serious injury.