Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-25
HEAD-ON COLLISION
Serious Accident on Washington,
Alexandria and Mt. Vernon Road.
MANY PASSENGERS SEVERELY HURT
Trolley Trains Crash in the Eariy
Morning Fog.
PASSENGERS SEVERELY HURT
TRAINMEN JUMP TO ESCAPE

two passenger trains, shortly before I
o'clock. at a point between Four-Mile Run
and Addison Heights. the Washington,
Alexandria and Mount Vernon railroad.
The train which leaves here at 6:25 for
Washington dashed into the passenger
train which leaves Washington at $50. No
one was killed, but many passengers were
badly hurt
The collision occurred just north of sid
ing No. s, where the trains were supposed
to pass. Both motor car No. of the
north-bound train and motor car No. of
the south-bound train were demolished.
The mOtormen on both trains jumped just
before the crash.
The following is list of the injured:
William ]. Simpson, a bricklayer. resid-
| ing at No. $40 Franklin street Alexandria,
seriously injured internally.
William Jones nf Philadelphia, seriously
bruised and injured internally.
Harry Smith, living at the corner of
Prince and Fayette streets, Alexandria,
head cut and shoulder bruised
Sidney Smith of the same address, slight
ly cut by glass.
Edgar Campbell living on Fayette street
between King and Prince streets, Alexan-
dria, shoulder injured and cut by glass.
Bernard Rudd of Washington, knee cap
badly injured and cut about the hands
Ernest Dryfus of 12O South Payne street.
Alexandria, cut about the face and hands
John Mcfarland of 1O1s King street,
Alexandria, slight wounds about the face
and hands.
William Hall of 1903 King street, Alex
andria. injured on head and bruised over
the body
Frank Church, living at King and Payne
| hao OH tu-iSt cd
Fred Roate, living in West End, Alexan-
dria, bruised over the body.
Thomas Spinks, living on Duke street
Alexandria, cut by glass on face and body
badly bruised.
Robert B. Robinson, president of the John
Hay Industrial School of Alexandria, legs
bruised.
Edward A. Rieley of 1O9 South Lee street,
Alexandria, hand mashed.
Mr.. Hurst, residing at No. 400 South AL
fred street. eye injured.
Injured Taken to Alexandria.
Most of the injured passengers were
placed on a train as soon as one could be
sent from the power house at Four Mile
Run and brought to this city, where they
received medical attention. OF all the in
jured William Jones and William ]. Simp-
son are in the most serious condition Mr.
Jones, who was on his way to Fort Wash
ington, was carried to the Alexandria In
Urinary, where he was attended by Dr.
William VI. Smith, the company's physi-
cian- He was suffering severely and was
In state of high nervous excitement, but
was socr gotten to sleep His injuries are
of very serious nature, but 1t is thought
he may recover His home is in Philadel-
phia He is forty years of age.
Mr. Simpson was conveyed to his home
on Franklin street, where he lives with a
wife and family. Upon examination it was
found that he had sustained internal in
turies the exact nature of which could not
be determined. He was employed as a.
bricklayer in Washington.
Narrow Escape of Motormen
The two trains were in charge of Motor
men Atweld and Beattie. AT the time they
struck there was dense fog, which almost
obscured objects fifty feet ahead. The
mOtOrmen were inclosed in the narrow
compartments at the front of their respec-
tive cars. and each. after catching a
| glimpse Of the other train, must have used
tremendous energy in order to get out of
their confined positions. Both men jumped
| Just second before the crash came.
The crew of the north-bound train con-
sisted of Conductor Whaley, Motorman
Beattie and TrOlleyman Davis. Conductor
Whaley and the trOlleyman also jumped
and escaped with Slight bruises.
The southbound train was in charge of
Conductor Brawner, with Motorman Atweld
and Trolleyman SmoOt. Conductor Braw-
ner also saw the threatened danger in
time to spring from the platform.
The heavy motors bounded into each
other with terrific force. The timbers of
the mOtormens boxes seemed to offer little
resistance and portion of both cars lit
orally melted away. Windows were
smashed and the flying glass wrought hav-
Oc with the passengers The shock was
transmitted with but little loss from each
leading car to the smokers.
Many Passengers on the Trains.
Great confusion followed the accident
but fortunately the cars were not over
turned, although the trucks were thrown
from the track. On the northbound train
were about a hundred passengers, many
Of whom were going to their daily voca-
tions In Washington. The southbound
train carried a smaller number. there be-
ing about twenty-five or thirty passengers
aboard. Immediately after the crash there
was rush for the exits. The doors were
blocked and the windows were soon swarm
Ing with frantic passengers. 1t Is consid-
cred a very fortunate circumstance that
there were few ladies either train.
Owing TO the early hour the traffic was con-
fined almost entirely 10 men.
In a short time the news had been sent
to the power house at Four-mile run, only
a short distance from the scene of the ac-
cident. and soon a wrecking train was hur-
rylnS TO the spot 1t was on this train
the injured were placed Immediately and
brought to this city. In about an hour af-
ter the collision the track had been cleared
up and traffic resumed.
As to the cause of the collision the off,
cials of the road have remained reticent.
IL is a long-established rule on the road Ii
Is stated that between this city and Wash
ingtOn the north-bound trains have the
right of way. unless otherwise ordered.
This morning the train had orders, it is
said. to pass each other at siding known
as No. 5. The train from Washington left
at 6::}O. and the one from Alexandria at
6:25, and siding No. S is so situated be-
tween the two points that trains travelling
st about the same rate of speed and leav-
ing Washington and Alexandria about the
tine indicated. will meet at siding No g.
with small margin of time for the south
bound train to wait
How the Accident Occurred
This morning, 1t seems. the conductor OF
The train for Washington expected to FIND
che southbound train already on the switch
and the line open. That train, however
had not reached the switch, but was ap
preaching il at somewhat reduced speed
The fog was so thick that the crew of the