Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-13
DEATH WAS ACCIDENTAL
W
VERDICT OF JURY IN CASE OF
PATRICK KELLY.
Inquest Held Today at the Sixth Pre-
cfnct StatiOn-The Evidence
Submitted.

An inquest was held at the sixth precinct
station today in the case of Patrick ]. KEEL
ly. the signal corps man who fell from a
Capital Traction car at Washington Circle
Monday afternoon. and who died at the
Emergency Hospital the next morning, as
published in Tuesdays Star. Kelly, who
was about forty-five years old, was station
ed at Fort Myer, and was on his way to
the fort when he fell from the car. His
skull was fractured and he did not regain
consciousness before he died. A number of
witnesses were examined by the coroner
and cross-examined by Mr.. r. Ross Perry,
VINO represented the railway company. a
mask OF whisky, which had been taken
from kelly's pocket just after he fell from
the car, was exhibited at the hearing. The
jury returned a verdict of accidental death,
and the body was taken to Fort Myer by
the military authorities.
Deputy Coroner's Statement.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook, the first wit
ness examined, told the jury that he per-
formed an autopsy and found that death
resulted from a cerebral hemorrhage, fol-
lowing fracture of the base of the skull.
The skull, he said, had been trephined by
the physicians at the hospital.
w. Z. Duckett, druggist at Pennsylva-
MIA avenue and 22d street northwest testi-
ned that the victim of the accident was
brought to his store Just after he was in
Jureo. Witness was not near enough to the
man to tell If he had been drinking Kelly
was unconscious when he was brought int
tne store, and his pulse and breathing were
irregular. The ambulance came to the
store ana the injured man was taken to the
hospital a flask of whisky was handed to
witness, ard he was told it had been found
on the injured man,
M. Z. Munson, Arlington, Va testified
That he was seated in the car when the
accident occurred. The man who was in
Jured was on the rear platform of the car
gong west at the time. Witness said there
were ten or twelve passengers in the car
ana two on the platform At the time the
accluent happened the car was thirty or
forty yards from where it turned to go
around the circle. Witness did not know
now the accident happened. MIR. Munson
SAID he could not say that the man was in
toXicated.
Noble H. Thomas. 1909 35th street. George
town, testified that when the train reached
the circle and got on the curve the car
gave jerk, and Kelly fell off. Kelly's
UNIFORM attracted the attention of witness,
and he noticed that the wearer Of the uni
form was intoxicated. Witness saw the
flask of whisky taken from Kelly's pants
pocket.
Mrs. Ella Rowland 1911 31st street, testi-
fed that she was on the car when the acct
dent occurred. The victim looked as if he
were a little under the influence of LIQUOR
he got on the car at 18th street and re-
manned on the rear platform, although
there We're vacant seats in the car. Wit
ness noticed the man trying to steady him
self several times.
The Conductor Testffes.
Conductor N. G. Elkins testified that
when the accident occurred he was in the
front car. He assisted the injured man to
the drug store. When Kelly got on the
car witness noticed that he was intoxi-
Gated. although he thought he would be
able to care for himself He was smoking.
and witness did not invite him to take a
seat in the car.
George r. Thompson, 1924 36th street,
testified that he was standing on the rear
platform. where Kelly was standing The
latter, who was under the influence of
liquor, offered another passenger a drink
from his flask. but the latter declined It,
This closed the testimony and the case
was submitted. e "" 90