The Washington times., 1902-09-09
Struck by Flying Express
Near Lamond Sta
ton.
SAID THAT FLYER WAS LATE
Making Up Time When Vehicle Is Run
Down - Was En- Route to City to
Meet Two Men Who Were Passen-
gers.


Tying express train near that station
shortly after noon yesterday and in
stantly killed
Major O'Driscoll was in buggy. and,
1t is said, attempted to drive across the
track before the train, which was ap-
preaching rapidly. reached the crossing.
His body was horribly mangled, tho
horse he was driving was also killed, and
the buggy was smashed into little bits.
II was said last night that there was
but one eyewitness to the affair other
than the engineer and fireman of the
train. who continued on their trip to
Philadelphia, and could not be seen.
This witness was a colored man named
Moses Day, who lives near Lamond sta
tion.
Day said last night that Major O'Dris-
coll was driving down the road in his
buggy on the way to Washington. The
side curtains OF the buggy were fastened
to see out except straight in front.
Saw Train Approaching.
When Major oDriscoil reached point
about forty feet from the railroad cross
ing it appeared that he looked out and
must have seen the train approaching
at rapid speed, for Day says he pulled
out his whip and struck the horse sew
eral blows. evidently with the determi-
laticn Of getting across the track be-
fore the train reached the crossing.
According to Day the horse jumped
across the west-bound track, and reach
ed the east-bound track about the same
time the train reached that point on
the crossing. The left side of the pilot
of the engine struck the horse and buggy
squarely and hurled both in the air, car
rying Major O'Driscoll with them.
The engineer, seeing that an accident
was certain to occur, slowed up as
much as possible by reversing his en-
CINE, but his speed was so great that
the train was run fully half mile be-
fore 1t could be brought to a stsndstill.
When this was accomplished, members
of the train crew rushed back to the
point at which Major O'Driscoll was
struck. Upon going TO his side it was
found that he was dead. From all ap-
pearapcea. death had been instanta-
neous. Finding that life was extinct,
and that nothing could be done, the
train crew turned the remains over 10
the District police authorities, and the
train continued iEto this city.
Train Was an Hour Late.
The train that struck Major O'Dris-
coll was known as the ST. Louis ex-
press. It was an hour late. and was
running at terrific rate of speed into
Washington, In order to make up as
much of the lost time as possible. Ac-
cording to an official of the Baltimore
and Ohio road. the train was running at
the rate of sixty-five miles an hour. The
train was drawn by engine 1913, one of
the fastest and heaviest Passenger en-
gines in the service OF the company
John Norris was the engineer, and Oil
yer Keith the conductor.
According to a statement made last
night by an official of the Baltimore and
Ohio. Engineer Norris claims that he
did not see the vehicle until il was TOO
late to stop his train; he is also al
legged to have said that he did not see
anybody in the vehicle.
The only way j can account for tho |
accident." said this same official. ..is |
that the train was OF time. Major |
O'Er:scc.! had been in the habit of driv-
ing over that road twice daily, and |
knew the movement of all OF the trains |
thoroughly. He knew. Of course. there
was no train scheduled to pass the
crossing at the hour he was struck. and |
probably did not think about an extra
or of a train being late until he was |
nearly on the tracks. Then he prob |
ably looked up, saw the train coming.
and whipped up his horse to get across |
the track before the train reached
there"
Coroner Notified.
As soon as Coroner hewitt was noti-
ned of the accident he gave orders that
the body be removed to the moreue
where an inquest will be held this after
noon, to determine the responsibility
for the accident. The railroad company
was notified to have the engineer, fire.
man and conductor present this after
nocn.
Major O'Driscoll was one of the promi
nent attorneys of this city, and had an
ONCE in the Columbian Building, on
Fifth Street. He was fifty-seven years
Did. and came TO this city many years
ago. where he practiced law with the
late President Mckinley before the lat
or became member of Congress. He
was a member of one of the Ohio vol
snteer regiments during the civil war.
md lost his left leg at the battle of
Major o'Driscoll was a
prominent member of the knights of
,ythias and other secret and benevolent
,ocieties.
~. who resides at their summer home
It Tacoma PARK. No arrangements had
Deen made last night for the funeral
eyyices-
A Curious Coincidence,
A singular coincidence in connection
nth the killing of Major O'Driscoll de-
eloped yesterday afternoon. He was on
10 way to this city to keep a business
with Col Forest Brown and :
Ir. George Vending. Both of these !
entlemen were on the train that struck r
nd killed Colonel O'Driscoll. They. too. /
ere on their way to Washington to keep
be appointment. Neither of them knew. I
owever. who the victim of the accident h
as until being informed of the fact d
pom their arrival in Washington. h