Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-24
RAILWAY RED
JURY'S VERDICT UPON THE
DEATH OF OTIS JOHNSON.
Company Blamed for Not Providing
Seats for ssengers-Testimony
Given at Inquest.
Special Core spondence of The Evening Star,
HYATTSVILLE Md, July "a, 19'

EVANSVILLE. Nd, July "a, 1Go2.
The proceedings of the coroner's jury
summoned Tuesday morning to investigate
the death of Otis Johnson, colored, OF
Washington who lost his life Sunday last
by falling from Bay Ridge train while
passing through Hyattsvile, Md, were re-
sumed yesterday afternoon shortly after
clock, when five WITNESSES were heard.
Mrs. Fannie Johnson, widow of the unfor-
tunate man. accompanied by relatives and
their legal representative, Mr.. John w. Pat
terson. were present at the hearing.
The taking of testimony was concluded al
$50 o'clock and the case was given to the
jury After celebrating for about two
hours verdict was rendered to the effect
that "Otis Johnson came to his death by
falling from combination car attached to
the second section of train No AS, and that
We do eXonerate the crew from any fault
as to the death of Otis Johnson but censure
the railroad company for not providing
proper seating capacity for its passengers.
The first witness to be heard was Mr.. {.
c. Duke of 1927 street Washington. He
Statd that he was in the baggage car at
the time of the accident to Johnson, and
that there were about ten or twelve other
passengers in the same compartment In
answer to question witness stated that all
went into the baggage car voluntarily and
endcavoTed to get seats on the parcels of
baggage. Mr.. Duke stated that Johnson
was looking around for a place to sit down.
Afterward Johnson sat in the doorway in the
side of the car with his feet hanging out.
Witness stated that he did not say any
thing to him about sitting there. He said
he heard the mans wife say she had told
him not to sit there He thought johnson
must have been sitting in the door for hVe
or six minutes before the accident hap
pened. Witness stated that the accident oc-
CURED after the conductor collected the
fares and had passed through the car.
No "Jostling" in Car.
Mr. Duke stated there was no disturbance
or jostling whatever in the car. He said
that after the accident happened Mrs. John
son was in a very hysterical condition. He
stated, in answer to questions, that he
had been asked to testify by Mr.. Hickey,
foreman of the jury, and by the attorney
for the railroad company, but that Mr..
Hickey had seen him first.
Mr.. Theodore WirtZ of 141O street,
Washington, was the second witness to
take the stand. He stated that he, with
Mr.. Duke and a Mr.. Naughton. were all in
the baggage car, and that there were
saw Mrs. Johnson sitting on trunk, and
johnson was sitting in the door, with
his feet hanging out. The latter had been
sitting there for several minutes prior to
the time of the accident. When the train
stopped in answer to signal witness
started back to join his family. either in
the third or fourth coach, he did not Know
which. and when he reached them he found
that the conductor had got through that
part of the car. Witness stated that there
had been no permission given to go into
the baggage compartment. Mr.. WlrtZ
stated that the dead man was the only one
sitting on the floor of the car on that side.
He said there was no difficulty among the
passengers at the time of the accident or
prior to It,
The Concluding Statements.
c. H Naughton of 1928 14th street, Wash
ington was next called to the stand. He
stated that he noticed johnson sitting in
the door shortly after leaving the city. He
did not hear anybody tell the dead man not
to sit there. Witness could add nothing to
! the testimony already given.
E. B. Terry of 12o 9Th street southeast,
the next witness, gave a graphic account
| of the affair, but further than stating that
| the ggagemaster was bending over a
baby carriage and entering notes in his re-
port al the time of the accident, and later
pulled the emergency cord thus stopping
the train, could add no additional informal
ton.
Attorney Patterson asked Justice Carr if
| the object of the inquest was not to inquire
into the criminal liability of the railroad
company, and receiving affirmative an
sWer suggested that Mrs. Johnson was still
| suffering from the shock, and if she be ask
ed to take the stand the examination be
! made as brief as possible. Mrs. Johnson
| did not, however, give any testimony.
]. A. Simonds was the last witness, but
| could give no additional information con-