Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-07
DEATH DUE TO ACCIDENT
VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY IN
CASE OF ADAM FUNK.
Was Run Over by Engine on Della
ware Avenue Grade CrOssfng and
Died at Hospital.

Adam P. Funk fifty-four years old, who
worked in the government printing office
and lived at S23 4th street northeast, was
fatally injured about II o'clock Saturday
night on the grade crossing of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad at Delaware ave-
nue. and II street northeast, and died at
the Casualty Hospital about 1890 o'clock
yesterday morning. The coroner decided to
hold an inquest, but permitted the removal
of the body to the late home of the de-
ceased, where it was viewed by the jury
this morning before the taking of the testi-
mony.
Mir Funk was on his way to work at the
time the fatal accident occurred. The
gates We're lowered just before he reached
the crossing, there was an engine back
ing from Trinidad toward the depot He
was in a hurry, it is said, to reach his place
Of employment, and went under the gates
and started over the tracks without look
ing to see if there was a train or engine
near the crossing. The engine struck him
and ne was dragged to the south side OF
H street before it could be stopped. The
ninth precinct patrol wagon summoned
and the injured man was hurried to the
hospital, where he died. stated.
Mr.. Funk was veteran of the war and
belonged to John A Rawllns Post. G. A. K.
He was also a member of the Union Nete-
ran Legion and was treasurer. of the Ma
tonal Union. His wife and six children
survive him.
The coroner held the inquest at the sixth
precinct station at IL O'Clock this morning
Several witnesses were examined, and u
verdict of accidental death was returned.
An Eyewitness.
Thomas Weaver was the first witness eX-
! amined. He lives at 624 II street north
east. Saturday night he was in charge of
| Columbia electric and his duty re-
| quired him to go ahead to see that the
| crossing was clear. He stood in the street
| with his arms resting on the lowered gates
| when Mr.. Funk came west. He stopped. went
under the gate and the engine struck him.
! Witness said that Mr. Funk had his collar
| up around his neck and there was nothing
| about his movements to indicate he was in
| q hurry. Witness thought he was in a
deep study. for when he got under the
gate he did not look to see If there was a
moving train.
! Wilson Ward, motorman, testified thatthe
engine going at the rate of not more
| than three to four miles an hour He did
not see Mr.. Funk before the latter was
struck.
| Martin Mulroe, 1O7 II street northeast,
was called. but he said he did not wit
| hess the accident. He assisted IN removing
| the injured to the watch box The
man told witness his name and where he
| lived.
| Deputy COrOner's Statement.
| Deputy Coroner Gazebrook testified that
| the left side of Mr.. Funks neck and face
were bruised as If he had been knocked
down and dragged. His right ribs lad
been broken and his skull was PROBABLY
fractured. Death was no doubt due to
hemorrhage following the injuries.
Dr. ". p. Reeves, resident physician at
the Casualty Hospital, testified that Mr..
| Funk reached the hospital at IL 30 CLOCK
| He was conscious. but his pulse was very
| weak Witness described the number Oh
| cuts and bruises he found upon the body
| and head of the victim.
| R. d. Giles, gateman at II street anu
| Delaware avenue northeast, testified that
| he lowered his gates as soon as ne received
a signal that an engine was backing IN
from Trinidad. About the time ne lowered
| the gates an elderly man came along, ana
! witness told him not to cross the tracks.
7 The man stood at the signal post untll the
! engine had passed. Witness did not see
| Mr. Funk until after the engine was
! stopped and he was called to assist IN re-
| moving him from under the tender. Wit
| ness said If he had not watched tne othef
| man he might have been hurt or Killed.
| Thomas A. Sweeney, 3l6 "a street horth
east testified that he assisted IN removing
| the injured man from the south size Oh II
street to the watch box. He was con-
| sc1ous and witness heard him tell his name.
| lanes Barnes, PIG Parker street north
east gave similar testimony, ana the case
was submitted to the jury.