Evening star., 1901-04-10
SHOCKING DEATH.
william Murphy Ground Under the
Wheels of u Passing Train.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


LAUREL, Nd. April 10, 1901.
William Murphy. aged twenty years, the
eldest son of Mr. Winfield Murphy, resi-
dent OF Muirkirk, Nd, met with a shocking
death yesterday afternoon about 800 by
being thrown under the wheels of a passing
freight train at Ammendale, a station on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, about mile
distant from Muirkirk. The unfortunate
young man was engaged in game OF
checkers with Mr. Lawrence Lewis, who
resides at the latter station, when he heard
the whistle of the freight engine blowing
for that place. Rushing to the platform,
needless of the warning of Mr.. Lewis ana
his wife and daughters, he attempted TO
board the train, which was running at a
rate of twenty miles an hour, and, missing
his hold. was thrown under the wheels,
which almost severed the legs from the
body, throwing the trunk against the mail
stand at the end of the platform. When
the train was stopped and the crew arrived
at the scene of the accident the young man
was just breathing his last.
Justice b. ]. Gallant of Beltsville was no.
tilted and arrived shortly after the acci-
dent occurred. On hearing the testimony
OF eyewitneSSes of the tragedy he deemed
1t unnecessary to summon jury and eX-
onerated the trainmen of all responsibility
for the death of the young man. The trucks
of one of the cars were thrown from the
tracks and plowed their way over the cross
ties for a distance of over a hundred yards.
delaying traffic for short time. 1t is
stated that young Murphy had been In
Laurel in the earlier part of the day trans
acting business. and must have taken the
train leaving this point at 1:11 pm. for
home. He was employed at the iron works
of Mr.. Charles E Coffin, where his father
was also employed.
Upon hearing of the death of his son Mr..
Murphy was completely prostrated and had
to be sent to his home "Will." as he was
ponularlV called
tion and was a general favorite among all
classes in this vicinity. The train in
charge of Conductor J. NJ Chapman. with
}. {. Loudenslager engineer and B. f.
Clark fireman. The number of the engine
is 524.
In speaking of the accident. Mr. Chapman
says the train. having no stop to make at
Ammendale, was running at good rate and
was not signaied at that point, and the
jumping Of one of the trucks from the
tracks was the first notice received of any
accident occurring at that station.
The remains of the young man were
brought to Laurel and prepared for burial
at the undertaking establishment of Mr.
William Mistead.
The annual message of the mayor was
read before the town council Monday
night last. 1t contained many suggestions
to that body for the improvement of the
town. Prefacing his message was a state
ment of the financial condition of Laurel
the llgures given showing a healthy state
issue of electric light and water work
bonds, he said. evinces feeling Of secu-
rity on the part of brokers with relation
to this place. 1t is evident from the mes
sage, that an early start will be made on
the installation Of system of water works
for the town. The discrimination against
Laurel by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
was set forth, and figures and comparisons
given showing the rates charged by other
roads for the same distance with the re-
suit that this town paid an average of
about one-third more than any of the other
contributing points. AS an inducement to
manufacturing plants to locate here IL is
urged that the next session of the legisIa-
ture should be approached in an endeavor
to have all such firms exempted from tax
alton for an indefinite period Another
bailotlng system, different from the one
now employed, was urged. the present one
being designated as antfquated and not
used by any of the progressive towns of
the day. He is in favor of the term of
mayor being changed from one to two
years.
The health officers report shows since
the 1st of July, 1900 there have been
twenty-nine deaths within the town limits.
twenty-three being white and six colored
of this number thirteen were under the
ages of five years and over sixty-five
The town council appointed DR. Jules F.
James Scaggs town bailifs and William
Mcclellan clerk to the council
The result of the veStry election held at
St Philips Protestant Episcopal Church
was as follows: Nestrymen Thomas n.
Young. Charles H. Stanley, John w Has
iup, Dr. John Cronmiller, George w. Lilli-
bridge and Jay G. Howell: wardens DR.
Jules T. Billiard and W. W. Cronmiller:
registrar. William E. Walk; treasurer
William H. Harrison.