The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-15
THE GATEMAN AT FAULT
jaime. f. Bates Blamed for Wash
ingtOn Fenwick's Death.
Arrested and Charged With Nam
sInughter-Result of CoroneP's En-
uuiry to Place Responsibility for
the Benning Accident-Testimon
Given by Various Witnesses.

Subsequent to an inquest held at the
Sixth precinct station yesterday, James Z.
BateE, colored. a gateman of the Pennsyi
vania Railroad stationed at the Benrl1s
crossing. near the District line. was taken
into custody and lodged at the Sixth pre-
cinct station on charge of maEsla ghter.
This action grew out of a verdict returned
by a coroner's jury. holding Bates respon-
sible for the death Of Washington Ftn-
wick, a colored expressman, who was Eiilad
by Pennsylvania train last Sunday night.
Several witnesses were present at the
hearing yesterday, over which Acting Cor
oner GIazebrook presided. The verdict also
suggests that the attention of the District
Commissioners be directed TO the unpro-
tected crossing at Benning. The remains
OF Fenwick were removed from the Morgue
TO the late home of the deceased, at IA
Jackson Street, last night.
Washington Fenwick. the victim, was
forty-five years OF age. He had been in
the express business here for years.
Friends of the deceased were present at
the inquest yesterday which began prompt
ly at noon. The police had summoned wit
nesses. including railroad employees. and an
autopsy had been performed on the re-
mains by Acting Deputy Coroner Fisher.
Bates. the gateman, gave testimony in his
own behalf
When Bates took the stand. after brief
testimony by the acting deputy coroner,
he stated that he had been employed at
the crossing a little over year He was
en- duty last Sunday night when ths ex-
press from the North was due. Il was
Just 10: 10 O'Clock when the train hove in
sight. At the same moment witness saw
the wagon and horses driven by Fenwick
coming west along the Benning Road at
a rapid rate. Bates said he attempted TO
lower the gates, but Fenwick drove di-
reetly under them. II then became neces-
sary TO raise the gates in order to release
the horses which Bates said he did. Ths
witness said he attempted TO seize the
horses in order TO turn them back. but
owing to rhe speed OF the train this proved
impossible. He further said that he barely
escaped from being struck by the train, SO
crNat was the speed at which it was trav-
cling
Replying to a juror, Bates stated that
be was on duty twelve hours each day.
On the night Of the accident. according
TO the witness the train did not whistle,
FOR did witness hear the bell of the loco
motive. 1t was also brought out that
Bates was not allowed, under the rules of
the railroad company. to engage in con-
yersation with anyone Bates stated that
he went on Guty Sunday night at o'clock
That night the alarm bells on the gates
appeared TO be out Of order. for they did
not ring at any time. Immediately after
the accident. the witness stated, he found
Fenwick lying a few feet south of the
crossing. Bates notified the police as
soon as possible, and had the body re-
moved to a hospital in the city
The next witness was Policeman S L. H.
Russell. attached to the Ninth precinct
station. Russell was near the scene of the
accident He said that word was brought
TO him that there was trouble at the
crossing. This was at 1880 o'clock Wit
ness went at once to the scene Of the ac-
cident Bates. the gateman, and a man
named Smith, also an employe of the rail-
road. were there.
There was no trace OF blood on the
tracks. witness said but he saw the body
Of Fenwick lying south of the crossing.
about fifteen yards away. The horses
had run away. but were later captured
Policeman Russell further testified that
Fenwick was alive when he reached him,
but was unconscious. Witness took steps
10 remove him TO the city Meanwhile
the express train had been stopped some
distance down the track
Charles F. Forbes. engineer of the ex-
press. was next called. He said he had
been an engineer fifteen years His train
leit Baltimore Sunday night at 1918
O'clock and was due in this city at 1855
o'clock His train was going at a rate Of
sixty miles an hour when he struck the
crossing. He was three minutes late. He
blew his whistle. Forbes said, between
Deanwood and Benning. He gave two
long and one short blasts. the signal for
the Benning station. Just before reach
ing the crossing he saw horses galloping
and at once applied the brakes. finally
stopping the train.
Conductor C. R. Alcorn was in charge
Of the express Sunday night. He saw
the yardmaster directly after the accident.
He was told that Fenwick was dying and
accordingly gave the signal for the train
TO proceed. /. c. Sharp, fireman of the
train, was called. Sharp said he rang the
bell of the locomotive before reaching
Benning Station. He heard no outcry. nor
did he know Of the accident until the train
was stopped.
Other witnesses gave testimony. includ-
ing Acting Deputy Coroner Fisher. The
latter said seven of Fenwick's ribs were
broken. and death resulted from heulor-
rhage. 61peTinduced by the fractures A
verdict holding Bates was then rendered
DEATH OF GEoRE w. SHoNK.